In row crop farming, there are a number of problems that can occur that may reduce yield potential if not discovered in a timely manner. Weeds, pests, nutrient deficiencies, and weather damage are just a few. With research and the resulting technology we have at our fingertips, we are able to scout faster and more efficiently.
It is important to scout several times a season to make sure that the plant is up and out of the ground, growing correctly, and is not showing signs of stress or damage. There is no substitute for being in the field and looking at the plants first hand. Maybe it's an exceptionally wet year and your nitrogen is being washed out of the reach of the roots. This could be further compounded with fungus that has set in and is inhibiting the plant as well. Maybe it's a dry year and spider mites are infesting the field to add to the already stressed plant. Timely scouting is a must.
Agri-Labs offers field scouting as a service to help you diagnose a problem and figure out how to tackle it. If you are interested in having us scout your fields, contact us for further details.