Rich Keller, Editor, Ag Professional  |   March 26, 2012 resize text

The speed of technological development in agriculture and the constant influx of new products and seed varieties can make agronomic decision making feel like a risky business. To help retail agronomists develop personalized recommendations for growers, Winfield Solutions has introduced the R7 Tool ―a Web-based platform that provides retailers with seven factors of vital field performance information.

Using a laptop computer and the R7 Tool, the ag agronomist can supply a detailed analysis of a grower’s fields, identifying the most productive acres as well as seed, crop protection, and crop nutrition options that will maximize yield potential and help improve crop efficiency. The tool’s platform utilizes multi-year satellite imagery to help growers understand variation in yield potential within their fields and divide their fields into zones to more effectively manage inputs. Because the technology is based on imagery, it does not require historical data such as yield maps or grid soil samples.

"The R7 Tool is really based on the R7 placement strategy," said Dave Gebhardt, director of applied agronomic research and product development, Winfield Solutions. "There are seven Rs or factors that should be considered by a grower before they make their final product selection and management decisions." 

Specifically, Gebhardt and Winfield Solutions explains that R7 stand for:

The right genetics for

The right soil type at

The right plant population in

The right cropping system with

The right traits fed

The right plant nutrition defended with

The right crop protection

“Far too many growers make a limited use of precision agricultural technology, because they lack historical or other data,” said  Gebhardt. “The R7 Tool complements existing precision farming strategies, while also providing an easy, low-cost way to get started.”

Through the R7 Tool, agronomists tap into a resource that combines comprehensive seed and crop protection data from local Answer Plot sites with 20 years of satellite data. The resulting analysis pinpoints unique information growers can use to tailor seed selection and population, as well as crop nutrients and crop protection products, both from field to field and within each field. By accessing quick, comprehensive and personalized data, the R7 Tool helps retailers advise growers so they can make smart, informed decisions, Winfield Solutions explains.

“The data accessed by the tool is both up to date and robust,” said Gebhardt. “Because the information and insights provided are comprehensive and personal, growers feel empowered instead of sold to."

The Winfield Solutions R7 Placement Strategy was developed to help growers precisely match crop inputs with field conditions. By tying together multiple components of crop management, from seed genetics to agronomic practices, the strategy helps growers properly place products to maximize profitability.

Retailers can gain access to meaningful information through the R7 Tool by becoming an R7 agronomy expert.

"The concept around the R7 Tool is to bring more information and agronomic insight to the sales discussion. It is about making the sales process more efficient, putting more information, more data, pictures, performance information, satellite imagery and more at the finger tips of retail agronomists," Gebhardt explained.

He asked those interested in more information to contact their local Winfield Solutions representative. Winfield Solutions is a Land O'Lakes company that offers seed and crop protection products including its CropPlan Genetics seed, crop protection products, plant nutrients and other proprietary products.

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