Top apps for farmers - boost crop and livestock management

By Blake Jackson

MU Extension offers a wealth of resources for farmers, including a list of helpful apps to streamline decision-making.

"These apps empower farmers with objective data to better manage their crops and livestock," says Charles Ellis, MU Extension agricultural engineering specialist. "By entering information from your farm, you can get answers specific to your operation."

Discover a comprehensive app collection at https://extension.missouri.edu/programs/precision-agriculture/precisionag-agriculture-and-livestock-apps. For additional resources, explore AgPhD (https://agphd.com/agphdmobileapps/), offering tools like planting population calculators and disease guides.

Ellis recommends several valuable apps:

• Horizon Point (http://agebb.missouri.edu/horizonpoint/report_full.asp): Get real-time weather data, historical records, and forecasts, plus helpful information on managing weeds and insects.
• Corn GDD Tool (https://mrcc.purdue.edu/Ag-Climate-Tools): This tool models silking, black layer formation, and frost risk for corn crops.
• Midwest Cover Crop Council Decision Tool (https://covercroptool.midwestcovercrops.org/): Navigate cover crop selection with this resource.
• Crop Water Use Application (https://extension.missouri.edu/topics/soil-and-water): This app helps you manage irrigation effectively.
• Weed ID Guide (https://extension.missouri.edu/programs/weed-science): Identify problematic weeds with MU Extension's resource.

Explore additional resources:

Purdue Extension offers online guides for corn and soybean scouting (available on app stores).

• University of Wisconsin provides a nitrogen price calculator (https://ipcm.wisc.edu/apps/n-price-app/)
• The Tarspotter app for disease identification (https://ipcm.wisc.edu/apps/tarspotter/).
• Herbicide Injury ID app (https://apps.apple.com/us/app/herbicide-injury-id/id1297001308) helps diagnose herbicide damage.

Photo Credit: istock-dusanpetkovic