The sensors allow for farmers to measure nutrient levels in the soil constantly, rather than pulling soil cores throughout the growing season to see what's needed.

Israeli startup has patented a significant advance in soil monitoring technology capable of providing continual measurements of soluble nitrates found in soil porewater

J-Ace Farms, located near Blue Earth, Minn., uses precision farming practices in its strip-till and no-till farming operation. Matt Alford, and his father-in-law, Jim Erdahl, typically build strips in the fall for corn the following year using a 16-row Environmental Tillage Systems Soil Warrior strip-till unit, applying prescription-rate phosphorous (P) and potassium (K).

I don’t know what to call this harvest season yet as it is a long way from in the books, but I can think of a few names for it so far. Not including the four letter names, a few would be rushed, hectic, condensed, muddy, or especially demanding.

Clemson University agricultural engineer Kendall Kirk has developed free software to help farmers track soil sampling throughout fields.

Variable-rate seeding, or VRS, is the practice of dynamically adjusting the amount of seeds planted in areas of fields based on location-specific information on fertility and other factors that affect yield.

Ohio State University Extension explains how to choose between grid and zone soil sampling for farmers' operations and how to use them.