Active sensors & variable rate nitrogen: What MN farmers should know

Active sensors & variable rate nitrogen: What MN farmers should know

From UMN Extension Nutrient Management Podcast by University of Minnesota Extension

March 26, 2026 · 22 min · Season 7 · Episode 7

About this episode

Brad Carlson and Jeff Vetsch discuss variable rate sensors and their implications for nitrogen management in agriculture.

Brad Carlson and Jeff Vetsch talk about variable rate sensors on today's Advancing Nitrogen Smart Podcast episode. What is meant by the term 'active sensors' and what data do active sensors capture? Which specific brands of sensors have the Southern Research and Outreach Center (SROC) researched, and how did they perform? What stage does corn need to reach before sensors can best contribute to variable rate decision making? How do other field variables like soil texture or irrigation systems contribute (or not) to variable rate sensing? Join us today for part one of a two-part discussion on variable rate technology with Brad and Jeff. Guests : Brad Carlson, Extension educator (Mankato) Jeff Vetsch, Lead researcher at the Southern Research and Outreach Center (Waseca) Additional Resources: 5 Things to consider for sensor-based nitrogen management Variable rate nitrogen and nitrogen advisory tools: Do they work? Variable rate technology: How should farmers evaluate outcomes? Things to consider when sidedressing nitrogen Nitrogen smart Nitrogen -- For the latest nutrient management information, subscribe to the Nutrient Management Podcast . And don't forget to subscribe to the…

People in this episode

Guests: Brad Carlson, Jeff Vetsch

Topics covered

  • variable rate nitrogen
  • active sensors
  • corn growth stages
  • field variables
  • sensor technology
  • nitrogen management

Keywords

  • active sensors
  • variable rate technology
  • nitrogen management
  • corn
  • soil texture
  • irrigation systems

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: Southern Research and Outreach Center, University of Minnesota Extension

Places: Mankato, Waseca

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