In this final piece of our two-part series (see part one here), we are looking at smartphone apps and how they are changing the way America farms. There is a comprehensive library of farming apps available to farmers. The challenge is finding what works for your commodity and fits your business.
#1 Bayer Weed Spotter. Weeds can quickly take over many delicate crops. It is important to identify the type of weed before developing a treatment plan. The Bayer Weed Spotter was the winner of the “Crops” magazine app test and proved successful in identifying several types of weeds.
#2 CheckIT. The CheckIT app helps farmers identify nutrient deficiencies in crops. The app doesn’t stop there. It also hosts a solutions center where farmers can find resources for identifying symptoms and suggestions for resolution.
#3 My Soil PH. Even in the dry Florida climate, soil is key to success for many crops. Starting with the right soil PH is critical for plant health. This app shares the proper PH for several species of plants. Results can be saved or printed for future use.
#4 iCropTrak. This mobile app offers flexible map-centric scouting, sampling, and field data for any crop type. It works even while it’s disconnected, in multiple languages, and connects to the iCropTrak Cloud.
If you want more information on farming apps, you can visit www.farmingwithapps.com.
CREDITS
column by MIKE MARTIN
BIO: Michael Martin of Martin Law Office in Lakeland specializes in agriculture and environmental legal representation. A native of Polk County, Mike attended college at Sewanee in Tennessee, before obtaining a doctorate in law from the University of Florida and has tried numerous cases nationwide since that time. Mike also serves as the director of the FFA Foundation and is the author of the novel, The Crestfallen Rose.
