Spring Planting Playbook: Precision Ag Prep for Every Planting Season

We walk through what we’re thinking about for spring planning in 2026, from realistic yield goals to the map decisions that actually save money when inputs are high. We keep it practical by tying variable rate strategies to agronomy, controller readiness, and the real limits in each zone. In this episode, Sarah and Jodi talk• setting realistic yield goals for averages and zones • handling fields without recent soil sampling using yield potential and zone logic • separating salty areas from other low zones to avoid wasting fertilizer • using variable rate seeding to manage sand, salinity, IDC, drought and disease pressure • balancing population changes with weeds, canopy and row spacing • treating soil pH as a high-cost lever and avoiding too-good-to-be-true fixes • improving phosphorus and zinc efficiency through banding and seed safety planning • exploring variable rate residual herbicides with pulse width modulation • powering up controllers early and running test prescriptions to avoid spring surprises Thanks for listening and come back next time for another episode of Ag Geek Speak! At GK Technology, we have a map, and an app, for that. VRT Herbicides with Kyle Okke pt. 1: https://www.buzzsprout.com/2297340/episodes/18096941-15-variable-rating-herbicides-with-kyle-okke-pt-1VRT Herbicides with Kyle Okke pt. 2: https://www.buzzsprout.com/2297340/episodes/18144514-16-variable-rating-herbicides-with-kyle-okke-pt-2VRT Herbicides with Kyle Okke pt. 3: https://www.buzzsprout.com/2297340/episodes/18216234-17-variable-rating-herbicides-with-kyle-okke-pt-3Seed Safety Calculator (SDSU): https://extension.sdstate.edu/starter-fertilizer-calculator-and-final-reporthttps://gktechinc.com/