The author attended the 2025 Precision Planting Winter Conference in Wisconsin Dells, where they joined over 100 farmers and dealers to watch a live stream of the program from Tremont, Illinois. The event featured presentations on improving farming operations, new technologies, and research findings. Some key takeaways included:
* Aaron Herrmann’s presentation on weed management, which emphasized the importance of precise spraying and the long-term consequences of poor weed control.
* Mike Schlitt’s session on the agronomic priorities of the planter pass, which highlighted the impact of planting depth and soil type on corn growth.
* The importance of precision planting, with Schlitt noting that 1.5 inches deep and 30% moisture level are good starting points, with the SmartFirmer product helping farmers adjust planting depth based on soil type.
* Data management strategies, autonomy, and cutting-edge soil sampling technology from Radicle Agronomics were also covered.
Overall, the event was an educational experience that provided valuable insights and new ideas for improving farming operations. The author highly recommends checking out the presentation on the Precision Planting YouTube channel and exploring the topics further before planting season.