Analyzing Yield Data is Crucial
Collecting yield data for crops is important, but a mountain of information won’t make any sense if you don’t analyze it. Analysis is just as important as proper data collection. Without analyzing yield data, how can you possibly know what’s going on with your fields? Without scrutinizing the data, how can you make improvements?
As important as it is to analyze yield data, getting accurate data is just as important. A pile of information is useless if it won’t give you a clear picture. Here’s how to ensure proper data collection:
Make Sure the Yield Monitor is Properly Calibrated
Monitors should be calibrated for different crops. It wouldn’t make sense to calibrate for corn when you’re trying to get information on soybeans. When properly calibrated, a monitor will produce results that are 97% accurate – maybe even more. It pays to take the extra time out to calibrate. Calibration isn’t hard; your device comes with instructions on proper calibration.
Take the Time to Eliminate Erroneous Data Points
Making errors is part of data collection. However, leaving these errors in your collection will produce inaccurate results that will hurt your case. From time to time, you should make sure to double check your data to catch anything that is out of place.
Use External Software
A yield monitor will come with its own analysis software. You can definitely make use of it, but you will be able to do a lot more with the gathered information if you use other data analysis software. Think about what you really need from an analysis point of view, then find out which analysis software offers what you need. When analyzing yield data, it’s nice to see more options rather than just the one you have. Doing so allows you to get more information, which you can utilize to make better decisions.
Use Multi-Year Data
Comparison is important and necessary. How else are you going to make changes if there is nothing to base it on? Yes, you may have collected a year’s worth of data but there’s only so much you can do with it. Working with a large data set allows you to identify and analyze trends. Being able to see the difference allows you to make educated decisions that would maximize yield. At Precision Agronomics we also benefit from our proprietary SOIL Score, which utilizes yield history, crop history, and USDA soil type information to create an index every 60 feet across a field. This takes much of the frustration out of analyzing yield data across state lines.
Be More Familiar with Farm Management Software
One of the downsides to technology is that we let the computers do all the work. We become lazy and forget to think critically because a machine is giving us all the answers. While software will surely help make the analysis process easier, it would be beneficial to actually understand how everything works. Learning a few basics will allow you to be more effective and involved when it comes to data collection.
Yield data analysis is complicated, but it’s a necessary process. How that data is collected is equally important and it must be done accurately or else there’s no way to improve your results. You also have to realize you only get one opportunity with each crop to capture the yield data, if you are unfamiliar or need assistance with analysis, contact Precision Agronomics today. We take care of cleaning up the data as part of our service.
Precision Agronomics is located at 9438 West SR 28 in West Lebanon, IN and is proud to serve: Marshfield, Johnsonville, Foster, Stone Bluff, Bismarck, and the surrounding areas. Contact us today for more information!
