Precision Farming Dealer

[Technology Corner] Thinking Outside the Box to Implement Precision Tech in Challenging Fields

The video highlights how precision agriculture must be adapted for the desert environment of Buckeye, Arizona, where field borders every 90 feet create logistical challenges not present in the Midwest. Stokes Equipment’s specialist Jake Nordenberg demonstrates using a DJI mapping drone combined with Pix4D software to stitch high‑resolution orthomosaics, pinpointing weed hotspots. The resulting data feed a target‑application map that directs ground sprayers only to affected zones, conserving inputs. Nordenberg notes the lack of hay‑specific precision tools, forcing the team to “get creative” by repurposing existing technology. The aerial survey approach, described as “mapping the field and marking weed pressure,” exemplifies this improvisation. This methodology offers a scalable model for growers in arid regions, reducing chemical use and operational costs while maintaining yields. The upcoming “Day in the Cab” segment promises broader industry exposure, potentially accelerating adoption of similar low‑cost, high‑precision solutions.