Precision Ag and Conservation

Farm the Best, Conserve the Rest!

Pheasants Forever’s Precision Ag and Conservation initiative brings new technology into our long-standing tradition of working with farmers. Iowa’s Precision Ag and Conservation Specialist (PACS) is available to analyze farm data to pinpoint marginal acres and make a plan to transform them into vibrant habitat, all while improving the farm’s bottom line. This is a FREE service for farmers and landowners!

Data, maps, and numbers only tell part of the story. A key aspect to this process is including the farmer’s knowledge of their land. There is no substitute for their years of experience working a particular field. With that in mind, however, sometimes the numbers are a real eye opener when it comes down to deciding whether to make a change. Many farmers are surprised to see just how much an issue in the field is costing them. Guided by the farmer’s goals, we can help brainstorm alternative ideas for those spots once they’re delineated.

Focusing on the Farmer’s Goals

When we start considering field planning options, our goals are to make fields easier to farm, increase average yields, reduce expenses, and address any erosion, water quality and fertility concerns within the field. We make sure to plan for the size of equipment a farmer is using and to maintain access to all parts of the farmable acres. We aim to grow something on every acre to maximize the efficiency of the farm. This can include adding forage and pasture, enrolling ground in the Conservation Reserve Program, or growing small grains like oats and rye for cover crop seed. This process ensures we are planning for the land’s fullest potential with the farmer’s goals in mind!