New Niche: Precision Fumigation For potato growers, it’s less about quantity and more about the quality of the crop they raise. To keep spuds blemish-free, soil fumigants are an important tool for controlling certain nematodes, such as northern root rot species. “If you see just one nematode, you need to treat for them, which is why 100 percent of growers fumigate in the fall,” explains Harvey Cameron, precision ag specialist, CHS at Quincy, Wash. (pictured at left, inspecting seed onions for pests). Application rate can vary from 12.5 to 20 gallons per acre, he explains, based on nematode levels in the soil. “With fumigant running $10.50 per gallon, a grow-er can save big money if he’s able to use lower rates in some parts of the field.” That’s where the cooperative’s variable-rate fumigation capabilities come in. “This is the third year we’ve been offering the service and we think it is an area of precision agriculture with real growth potential,” says Cameron. On fields where growers plan to plant potatoes, the cooperative team tests soil the previous fall to determine nematode levels in one-acre grids in each field, then custom-injects fumigant within the approved application range, he says. Last year, supplies of the preferred fumigant were limited, due to hurricane damage at the Texas manufacturing plant. “That situation made variable-rate application even more valuable,” he adds. “It helped our growers make the best use of available product.” •• LEARN MORE •• For more precision ag information, visit www.chsinc.com/c. 12 July/August 2009 WWW.CHSINC.COM