Here at Grand Falls Agromart we’re in the business of growing. Whether it’s your lawn, personal garden, your produce stand or your farming multiple acres, we’re here to help you succeed. We’ll be there every step of the way! We’ll help you analyse your soil and crops, with our drone and tissue sampling, to determine the lack in nutrients and the products best suited for whatever your trying to achieve.
Here’s what we do;
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Crop Advisory
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Tissue Sampling
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Laboratory Analysis
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Drone Services
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Nutrient Planning
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Application Support
During the growing season, tissue sampling (petiole) occurs weekly to monitor the progression of the crops. Last year, more than 130 field locations were sampled throughout Aroostook County Maine and Northern New Brunswick. This gives opportunity, in real time, to see Agronomy at work in the field as the crop grows. Much information is gleaned as the potatoes develop and mature in many different settings and with a variety of challenges. Nutrients, disease, and insects are noted and recorded for each site. This gives ample opportunity to learn about potato production in real life situations in an extended laboratory setting.
Once the petiole samples are collected, they are sent to the lab for analysis. Results are usually received in 2 to 3 days. In the meantime, drone flights are expected to occur to also monitor the progression of crops during the growing season. This will be done using regular imaging as well as NDVI and NDRE technologies. Not only will we be flying over our petiole sampling field, but also where trials are being conducted on new products, and other crops in order to gain as much information as possible for current and future references.
After the tissue sample results are received from the lab, the results are applied to our graphs were each nutrient is charted for the season’s growth pattern for each different site. This is where recommendations are made for supplemental nutrient applications based on field observations, lab results, drone flight data, and personal experiences. Historical lines and critical lines have been implemented in these graphs based on previous crop analysis and observations made through the years.
Towards the end of the growing season, soil sampling is done to get a jump on lime and fall nutrient applications such as potassium, zinc, and manganese. These recommendations are done in relation to yield goals.
Through these observations we insure that supplemental nutrient applications are done in a timely fashion, that does not waste resources, time and money. Precision agriculture is very important and this technology is being used in concert with GPS equipment to enhance our ability to raise bigger, better quality crops in a more efficient and cost effective manner.
We are as committed to the success of your crop as you are. Please don’t hesitate to come see us with all of your questions.