Case Study: Maximizing Yield and Soil Health with Decisive Farming – The Story of Brad McDougald’s Farm

Brad McDougald’s 2,500-acre farm in Drumheller, Alta., experienced a challenging season with a dry spell leading to reduced yields. Yet, through strategic soil health management and the adoption of high-tech solutions from Decisive Farming by TELUS Agriculture, McDougald’s farm outperformed expectations, cementing his commitment to innovative farming practices for sustainable future operations.

The challenge: sustainable farm practices

The farm needed to maintain crop health and yield in the face of adverse weather conditions. McDougald also sought to address the variability in soil nutrition within his fields to optimize fertilizer use and support the long-term health of his soil.

Brad wanted to enhance soil health and crop yield using precise, data-driven farming techniques, and to ensure the viability of sustainable farming for future generations.

The solution: implementing soil health strategies

For 17 years, McDougald has worked with Garth Donald, manager of agronomy at Decisive Farming, even before the company’s inception. Decisive Farming’s Optimize RX® offered tailored fertilizer formulas and variable rate nutrition to meet the unique needs of different field segments.

Implementation Steps:

• Analysis of the farm’s soil and topography to identify nutritional needs.
• Development of customized fertilizer prescriptions using the principles of the “Four Rs” of nutrient stewardship.
• Application of variable rate fertilizing to maximize potential yield in nutrient-deficient zones while conserving inputs in nutrient-rich areas.

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