Harvest · August 2025 · 5 min read
The weeks after harvest offer a brief window to document field conditions while evidence is still visible. Observations made now inform next year's seed selection, fertility plans, drainage investments, and weed management strategy.
Walk fields and mark areas with weed escapes, disease pressure, or lodging using GPS on your phone or tablet. Note which weed species survived your herbicide program — waterhemp, Palmer amaranth, or marestail escapes may indicate herbicide resistance requiring a different mode of action next season. Photograph compaction ruts, ponding areas, and erosion damage while they are fresh and visible.
Fall is an excellent time to pull soil samples because nutrient levels are stable and labs have shorter turnaround times. Sample on a grid or by management zone to match fertility recommendations to field variability. Wait at least 30 days after the last fertilizer or lime application before sampling, and pull cores from a consistent depth of 6–8 inches to ensure results are comparable year to year.
Download and review yield monitor data to identify consistent high- and low-yielding zones across multiple years. Low-yielding areas may indicate drainage problems, compaction, pH issues, or nutrient deficiencies that justify targeted investment. Overlay yield maps with soil test results and satellite imagery to build a complete picture of each field's performance and create zone-specific management plans for the coming season.
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