Tiny Bytes
Words of wisdom and experience in the precision agriculture field.
.5 2026 Tiny Bytes - Value of NAIP Imagery in Ag Mapping
Sarah and Jodi discuss NAIP aerial imagery and why this high-resolution imagery is invaluable for precision agriculture work in the United States. They share workflows for validating zones, aligning layers, and spotting year-over-year patterns while noting timing pitfalls, thanks to NAIP imagery as a background source.
In this episode, we discuss...
• what NAIP is and who collects it
• benefits of high resolution often associated with newer NAIP imagery
• four-band imagery (RGB with NIR) enabling NDVI
• leaf-on timing and when imagery misleads
• state-by-state differences in resolution and frequency
• FSA and CLU uses that ensure strong georeferencing
• practical steps to draw boundaries and validate zones
• aligning offset satellite layers to NAIP
• leveraging multi-year NAIP to confirm stable patterns
• free access and where to get the data
Tune in next time for a Tiny Byte of knowledge from GK Technology, where we have a map and an app for that.
19.5 Map the Acidity, Save the Harvest
We dig into why low (acidic) soil pH unlocks aluminum toxicity, how that halts root growth, and which crops suffer first. Then we lay out a practical plan to find acidic patches with smarter sampling, NDVI, and grid-the-zone strategies, and point to lime and buffer pH for the fix.
In this episode, we discuss...
• soil pH as chemical control and pH level of 7 is neutral
• aluminum toxicity risk to crops increases below 6.5 pH
• wheat relatively tolerant, legumes struggle with nodulation
• stunted roots and thin stands on slopes and sandier spots
• acidic areas are patchy and do not always follow productivity maps
• importance of using intensive grids and how 0–3 inch sampling in no-till helps detect acidicity issues
• soil testing: pair pH with buffer pH to set lime rates
• target NDVI-low areas and grid inside zones
• variable-rate lime as the remediation path
Gridding the Zone with Ag Genesis Part 1: https://www.buzzsprout.com/2297340/episodes/16692855
Gridding the Zone with Ag Gensis Part 2:
https://www.buzzsprout.com/2297340/episodes/16692855
Tune in next time for a Tiny Byte of knowledge from GK Technology, where we have a map and an app for that.
18.5 Is There a Way to Predict IDC Risk?
We unpack why soybean leaves turn yellow in patches, thanks to soybean IDC (iron deficiency chlorosis) and how to predict IDC risk for management. We share the exact soil tests that matter, how to read the lab results, and where precision mapping saves money and yield thanks to IDC management.
We also discuss...
• defining iron chlorosis
• why iron-rich soils still cause deficiency
• limits of testing for DTPA iron alone
• three key predictors: pH, EC (salts), and CCE (calcium carbonate equivalent)
• why percent CCE beats a simple fizz rating
• thresholds where CCE raises severe IDC risk
• how residual nitrate can worsen chlorosis
• grid versus zone sampling for better maps
• using maps to place tolerant varieties and inputs
• practical steps to keep beans green
Tune in next time for a Tiny Byte of knowledge from GK Technology, where we have a map and an app for that.
17.5 Cracking the Code of Salty Soils
We break down what “salty soil” really means and why salinity and sodicity demand different fixes. We share how to properly diagnose a soil as saline, sodic, or saline/sodic through soil sampling and testing, to avoid turning a manageable patch into concrete.
We also discuss....
• defining normal, saline, sodic, saline-sodic with soil test EC and sodium results
• why salinity causes drought-like stress without wrecking structure
• how sodicity drives clay dispersion and pore collapse
• when salts keep clays flocculated in saline-sodic soils
• risks of leaching or tiling without a sodicity management plan
• sampling depths: 0–6, 6–12, 12–18 inches for diagnosis
• using pH as a supporting clue for sodicity
• prioritizing amendment before drainage to prevent sodic blowups
More information on management of salty soils here: https://www.ndsu.edu/agriculture/extension/publications/managing-saline-soils-north-dakota
Tune in next time for a Tiny Byte of knowledge from GK Technology, where we have a map and an app for that.
16.5 Calculating Nutrients in Liquid Fertilizer (Bulk Density!)
We unpack why liquid fertilizer math trips people up and discuss how to figure out how to determine pounds of fertilizer in a liquid fertilizer. We talk real examples and show how small liquid fertilizer densities can drastically affect starter outcomes, especially in cold soils.
In this Tiny Bytes, we talk
• the dry vs liquid mindset shift
• how density changes gallons into pounds
• where to find pounds per gallon on fertilizer labels
• comparing phosphorus from 10-34-0 and 6-24-6
• implications for starter fertilizer in cold springs
• simple rules to avoid under or over application
Tune in next time for a Tiny Byte of knowledge from GK Technology, where we have a map and an app for that
15.5 Precision Composite Soil Sampling Explained
We unpack why “precision composite soil sampling” isn’t a contradiction and show how GPS-marked points turn an old method into a reliable trend tool. We cover workflows, gear, timing, and when shifting results should push you toward zones.
In this episode we discuss
• Pre‑GPS composite sampling and its limits
• Marking exact GPS points for repeatability
• Keeping post‑harvest or spring timing consistent
• Tracking year‑over‑year P, K and pH trends
• When composites signal a move to zones
• Benchmarks versus wider composite coverage
• Core counts for quarters and half sections
• Gear tips: external GPS pucks and apps
• Faster fieldwork once points are mapped
• Starting with GK Field Mapper and ADMS exports
More info about GK Field Mapper here: https://gktechinc.com/gk_field_mapper/
Tune in next time for a tiny bite of knowledge from GK Technology, where we have a map and an app for that!
14.5 From Prairie Black to Red Dirt: A Tour of Soil Orders
We break down soil orders like a field guide, linking what you see in a soil profile to how soils behave and how to manage them. From prairie-black mollisols to red-dirt ultisols, we share traits, regions, and practical tips growers can use today.
• soil taxonomy as a practical framework
• mollisols and their dark, organic-rich surface
• vertisols with shrink–swell clays and timing risks
• spodosols in conifer forests with leached E horizons
• alfisols, clay accumulation, and hardpan concerns
• histosols in peat bogs with high organic matter
• ultisols in the South, iron oxides, and low-activity clays
• regional patterns across the Upper Midwest to the Southeast
• field tips for digging, observing, and managing horizons
Tune in next time for a Tiny Byte of knowledge from GK Technology, where we have a map and an app for that!
12.5 Tiny Bytes: Understanding Bulk Density: Why Space Matters in Your Soil
Soil is more than just what we see on the surface, on average consisting of 45% mineral components, 5% organic matter, 25% water, and 25% air, with bulk density measuring how much dry soil weighs per volume.
• Bulk density indicates the space available in soil for air and water
• Sandy soils counterintuitively have higher bulk density than clay soils
• Clay soils typically contain more organic matter which contributes to greater pore spaces
• Bulk density increases as you go deeper into the soil profile
• Tillage initially reduces bulk density but destroys aggregate structure
• No-till transitions require time for new aggregate formation
• Compacted soils with high bulk density limit root exploration
• The ideal soil provides adequate pore space for root growth
• Calculating total nutrients requires understanding soil bulk density
More on measuring bulk density and bulk density as a soil health indicator: https://www.nrcs.usda.gov/sites/default/files/2023-01/Soil%20Quality-Indicators-Bulk%20Density.pdf
https://gktechinc.com/
11.5 Tiny Bytes: NDVI: Turning Plant Color into Actionable Farm Data
NDVI (Normalized Difference Vegetative Index) helps farmers detect how green and/or productive different areas of their fields are by measuring the ratio of near-infrared to red light reflected from plant canopies. This technology creates reliable productivity zone maps when analyzed consistently over multiple growing seasons, enabling targeted input management across variable field conditions.
In this Tiny Byte Sarah and Jodi cover:
• NDVI measures plant canopy density by comparing near-infrared light reflection to red light absorption
• Chlorophyll absorbs visible light while plant cell structures reflect near-infrared light
• NDVI values range from -1 to 1 (or ~0-100 in ADMS) with higher values indicating denser vegetation
• Creating reliable management zones requires multiple years of imagery, not just single snapshots
• Best imagery comes from periods when crop canopy is developing or starting to senesce
• NDVI data often correlates with yield potential and can identify consistently productive field areas
• Zone management allows targeted input application based on productivity potential
• The most valuable NDVI images show variation in greenness rather than complete saturation
Check out our backlog episode "Choosing Quality Imagery" in Season 1 for more information on selecting the best imagery for creating management zones. https://www.buzzsprout.com/2297340/episodes/16135793
https://gktechinc.com/
10.5 Tiny Bytes: What's the Deal with UTM?
Using the correct UTM (Universal Transverse Mercator) zone is crucial when working with GIS data mapped to a UTM zone. We explain how projections work to translate locations from Earth's spherical surface to flat maps, and why UTM zones are critical for accurate agricultural mapping.
• UTM divides Earth into 60 zones, each six degrees of longitude wide
• UTM choice errors cause maps to appear in completely wrong locations, like oceans
• Creating maps in the wrong UTM zone leads to unusable prescriptions for field operations
• Maps created in one UTM zone but opened in another will show incorrect positions
• Farms located on UTM zone boundaries may encounter projection issues more frequently
• Always verify your UTM zone settings when working in mapping software
• Turn on background maps to confirm your fields are projecting in the correct location
• Reprojection tools in ADMS can help fix UTM errors
Avoid the sharks and floaties, check your UTM!
https://gktechinc.com/
9.5 Tiny Bytes: Variable Yield Goals: The Foundation of Smart Farming
Precision agriculture focuses on treating different parts of a field according to their unique yield potential instead of applying the same approach everywhere. Variable rate applications start with establishing realistic yield goals for different areas within a field based on their consistent performance patterns.
In this episode, Sarah and Jodi discuss:• Using historical yield data to determine which areas consistently yield higher or lower
• Combining yield history with grid soil sampling data to create targeted fertilizer applications
• Assigning variable rate yield goals by zone when managing variability
• Being realistic about low-yield areas that consistently underperform
• Recognizing how nutrients accumulate in low-yield areas while being depleted in high-production zones
• Creating variable rate maps even with just composite soil samples by setting different yield goals
• Understanding precision agriculture is primarily about efficiency, not just yield maximization
• Managing costs by reducing inputs where appropriate while giving high-producing areas what they need
https://gktechinc.com/
8.5 Tiny Bytes: On the Root of a Drive
We tackle a common technical prescription writing question in this Tiny Byte: what does it mean to place a prescription on the root of a drive and why does it matter. Understanding this simple concept can solve many frustrating issues when loading prescriptions onto different monitors.
• The "root" of a drive is the main directory—the blank space you see when first opening the drive
• Different farm equipment requires prescription files in specific locations
• Page 203 of the 2025 ADMS User Manual lists out where prescriptions need to be saved on different monitors
• Some monitors require files directly on the root (no folders)
• The slash (/) in file paths just indicates folder structure
• Never use special characters in file or folder names—stick to letters, numbers, and dashes
• Proper file placement ensures controllers can find and use your prescription files
https://gktechinc.com/
7.5 Tiny Bytes: From Bits to Petabytes: Understanding Computer Storage
We explore the fundamentals of digital storage and how it powers precision agriculture, covering basic bytes to the massive petabyte servers at GK Technology that store agricultural imagery and data.
• A byte equals eight binary bits and typically represents a single character or piece of data in computer language
• Digital storage units progress from kilobytes (thousand) to megabytes (million) to gigabytes (billion) to terabytes (trillion) to petabytes (thousand terabytes)
• GK Technology's Halstead office maintains a petabyte of storage containing agricultural data for most of the United States and three Canadian provinces
• Storage includes shapefile formats, NAIP imagery, Lidar data, and two satellite libraries: Landsat (30m resolution back to 1984) and Sentinel (10m resolution from 2016)
• Precision ag software users access this massive data repository when creating drainage maps or automated management zones
• Higher resolution imagery like drone photos requires significantly more storage space, creating challenges for agricultural data management
https://gktechinc.com/
6.5 Tiny Bytes: Plant Tissue Testing 101
Plant tissue testing offers farmers and consultants valuable insight into crop nutrient status and helps diagnose field issues when properly conducted. We explain the science behind tissue testing and share practical tips for getting actionable results.
• Tissue testing can help to evaluate nutrient status to understand crop health at various growth stages
• Troubleshoot field issues by comparing samples from healthy and problematic areas
• It is important to sample the correct plant part according to the crop's growth stage
• Mobile nutrients show deficiency in lower leaves while immobile nutrients affect upper leaves first
• Remember to remove soil contamination from samples, especially when checking iron levels
• Tissue tests can help to identify the problem while soil tests help determine corrective actions
• Have a specific goal in mind before collecting tissue samples
• Take both tissue and soil samples when diagnosing nutrient deficiencies
4.5 Tiny Bytes: Field Boundaries, the Cookie cutters of Precision Ag
Field boundaries serve as the digital cookie cutters of precision agriculture, defining where field operations begin and end for optimal resource management. Understanding their purpose and creation methods allows consultants and growers to implement more precise applications and better predict input needs.
• Boundaries determine where equipment turns on and off during field operations
• Accurate boundaries help predict input requirements and prevent waste
• Vector files (typically shape files) define the digital representation of field boundaries
• Water management requires different boundary considerations than nutrient management
• Creating boundaries can be done through driven collection with RTK-enabled vehicles
• Drawing boundaries in GIS software requires well georeferenced backgrounds like NAIP imagery
• Common Land Units (CLUs) provide a starting point but often lack precision
• Moving vertices allows for refinement of boundary polygons
• Accurate boundaries serve as the foundation for all precision agriculture mapping
Connect with GK Technology for all your precision agriculture needs - we have a map and an app for that!
https://gktechinc.com/
3.5 Tiny Bytes: Understanding Plant Nutrient Mobility
Awareness of nutrient mobility in plants drastically improves in-field diagnosis of crop issues. In this episode, we dive deep into plant nutrient mobility and how nutrient mobility impacts visual symptoms in the field.
• Discussion on the concept of nutrient mobility
• Insights into mobile vs. immobile nutrient deficiencies
• Importance of tissue testing for accurate diagnoses
Relatively immobile nutrients (symptoms will appear on newest leaf tissue): S, Zn, Fe, Cu, B, Ca, Mn, Mo, Ni
Relatively mobile nutrients (symptoms will appear on oldest leaf tissue): N, P, K, Mg
Don't forget to subscribe and share your thoughts on social media!
Cover art diagram courtesy of the 4R Plant Nutrition Manual, IPNI 2012 (https://www.canr.msu.edu/news/identifying_nutrient_deficiency_symptoms_in_field_crops)
3.5 Tiny Bytes: Understanding Plant Nutrient Mobility
Awareness of nutrient mobility in plants drastically improves in-field diagnosis of crop issues. In this episode, we dive deep into plant nutrient mobility and how nutrient mobility impacts visual symptoms in the field.
• Discussion on the concept of nutrient mobility
• Insights into mobile vs. immobile nutrient deficiencies
• Importance of tissue testing for accurate diagnoses
Relatively immobile nutrients (symptoms will appear on newest leaf tissue): S, Zn, Fe, Cu, B, Ca, Mn, Mo, Ni
Relatively mobile nutrients (symptoms will appear on oldest leaf tissue): N, P, K, Mg
Don't forget to subscribe and share your thoughts on social media!
Cover art diagram courtesy of the 4R Plant Nutrition Manual, IPNI 2012 (https://www.canr.msu.edu/news/identifying_nutrient_deficiency_symptoms_in_field_crops)
2.5 Tiny Bytes: Plant Nutrients and How They Move (or Don't) in the Soil
Jodi and Sarah explore the crucial distinction between mobile and non-mobile nutrients in soil. Understanding how these nutrients behave not only aids in effective soil sampling but also enhances soil fertility management, providing fertilizer users with the knowledge they need to maximize returns on their fertilizer dollars.
They cover
• Mobile vs. non-mobile nutrients
• Nutrient behavior based on soil charge
• Cation exchange capacity (CEC) and nutrient adhesion
• Sampling strategies for mobile vs. non-mobile nutrients
1.5 Tiny Bytes: Check Out GK Technology's Imagery Library
Jodi and Sarah talk about what's available in GK Technology's expansive imagery library. The library offers subscribers access to Landsat, Sentinel, NAIP, and Lidar data layers.
They discuss further...
• Significance of multi-layer data in agriculture
• GK Technology's robust imagery library
• Different types of imagery available and their resolutions
• Importance of ongoing updates to data for accuracy
• Discussion on the geographical coverage of data
• Emphasis on accessible resources for all agricultural practitioners
Access data layers easier and faster with GK Technology's imagery library!
Resources on accessing and downloading publicly available GIS data:
https://gktechinc.com/data-links/
ADMS: https://gktechinc.com/adms-product/
0.5 Tiny Bytes: Soil Series
Soil series names hold invaluable information that can inform land use and agricultural practices. Join us as we explore soil series and their characteristics, featuring insights on collecting data, understanding soil maps, and highlighting the significance of favorite series like Fargo and Williams.
• Soil series names relate to specific regions and provide insight into soil characteristics
• The importance of five soil-forming factors in classification
• How to access soil survey data for informed land management decisions
• The relevance of local soil characteristics in agriculture and farming
• Engaging with soil series can lead to deeper insights about land and environmental quality
CLORPT: Climate, organisms, relief, parent material, time
NRCS Web Soil Survey: https://websoilsurvey.nrcs.usda.gov/app/WebSoilSurvey.aspx
SoilWeb App for Android: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.casoilresourcelab.soilweb&hl=en_US
SoilWeb App for Apple: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/soilweb/id354911787
KML of SoilWeb for use in Google Earth: https://casoilresource.lawr.ucdavis.edu/soil_web/kml/SoilWeb.kmz
Soil Series Data Explorer (where you can pop in the name of a soil series and get information about that soil): https://casoilresource.lawr.ucdavis.edu/sde/
Tiny Byte 15: AGS Year in Review
Join us as we celebrate a year of the Ag Geek Speak podcast. Journey with us through the highlights of our first year, from the launch of the Tiny Bytes segment and launch of the GK Field Mapper app. We extend our heartfelt thanks and holiday wishes, and are eagerly looking forward to bringing you more insightful conversations and fresh content ideas in the new year.
Google/YouTube Ag Geek Speak Podcast Feed: https://www.youtube.com/@geektechforag
Episodes Mentioned:
- Digging Deep into Soil Science with Professor Emeritus R. Jay Goos: https://www.buzzsprout.com/2297340/episodes/15610053
- Digging Deep into Soil Science Part 2 with Professor Emeritus R. Jay Goos: https://www.buzzsprout.com/2297340/episodes/15691382
- Darin Johnson and Kelly Sharpe - Pioneering Precision Agriculture https://www.buzzsprout.com/2297340/episodes/14357348
- Darin Johnson and Kelly Sharpe Part 2 - Starting an Ag Software Company https://www.buzzsprout.com/2297340/episodes/14452267
- The Art of Crop Planning with Josh Stutrud Part 1 https://www.buzzsprout.com/2297340/episodes/14915489
- The Art of Crop Planning with Josh Stutrud Part 2 https://www.buzzsprout.com/2297340/episodes/14986112
- Making Water Flow with Paul Fuller Part 1 https://www.buzzsprout.com/2297340/episodes/15071861
- Making Water Flow with Paul Fuller Part 2 https://www.buzzsprout.com/2297340/episodes/15155876
- From Wilderness to Sky: Clint Streeter's Path to Aerial Imagery Excellence https://www.buzzsprout.com/2297340/episodes/15390373
- Geeking Out About Aerial and Satellite Imagery with Clint Streeter https://www.buzzsprout.com/2297340/episodes/15543372
- The Man Behind the Curtain: Travis Yeik pt. 1 https://www.buzzsprout.com/2297340/episodes/16174248
- Talking AI with The Man Behind the Curtain: Travis Yeik pt. 2 https://www.buzzsprout.com/2297340/episodes/16191185
- Tiny Bytes: Introducing GK Field Mapper: We Have an App for That! https://www.buzzsprout.com/2297340/episodes/15580930
- Accounting for Field Variability with Dr. Dave Franzen https://www.buzzsprout.com/2297340/episodes/15206650
- Making Zones Happen with Dr. Dave Franzen https://www.buzzsprout.com/2297340/episodes/15314565
- Reading the Landscape with Dr. Tom DeSutter pt. 1 https://www.buzzsprout.com/2297340/episodes/16097130
- The Science of the Landscape with Dr. Tom DeSutter pt. 2 https://www.buzzsprout.com/2297340/episodes/16131402
- What's in a Soil Test? Getting the Answers with John Breker Pt. 1 https://www.buzzsprout.com/2297340/episodes/15772532
- Potassium, pH, and Precision Soil Sampling: John Breker Pt. 2 https://www.buzzsprout.com/2297340/episodes/15854748
- Tiny Bytes: GNSS? GPS? What's the Difference? https://www.buzzsprout.com/2297340/episodes/16178935
- Tiny Bytes: Raster Monster! https://www.buzzsprout.com/2297340/episodes/15509080
GK Field Mapper App:
Google Play: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.gkmobile.droid&hl=en_US&pli=1
App Store: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/gk-field-mapper/id6448194019
We will be back with new episodes in the New Year!
Tiny Byte 14: GNSS? GPS? What's the Difference?
Our latest episode of Tiny Bytes dives into the fascinating world of satellite navigation. Discover the differences between GPS and GNSS, learn how satellite triangulation ensures precise positioning, and explore the transformative role of differential systems like WAAS and RTK in precision agriculture. With practical insights into multi-system receivers and the science behind satellite signals, this episode equips you with knowledge to navigate both the tech and trivia of satellite systems. Perfect for enthusiasts and professionals alike, tune in to elevate your understanding of the technology guiding our world!
GK Technology, Inc.: https://gktechinc.com/
Tiny Byte 13: Exporting Prescriptions
It is one thing to have a variable rate map. It is another to have a variable rate map on a controller. In this episode of Tiny Bytes, we dive into the basics of exporting prescriptions.
In this episode, we talk polygons, polygon count limits, vertices, and file size constraints. Whether you're working with modern systems or legacy equipment, this episode equips you with the basics to help you better understand the prescription making process.
GK Technology supports farmers by bridging the gap between cutting-edge tech and older equipment, ensuring prescriptions are accurately applied across diverse setups. If you’re looking to master the art of precision ag exporting, this episode is packed with invaluable insights to make your beautiful maps work.
Tiny Byte Shapefile Episode: https://www.buzzsprout.com/2297340/episodes/15807779