As the planting season is officially in full force, the Sunbelt Ag Expo has had a busy start to spring with much more planned in the next couple of months. The Darrell Williams Research Farm is in the heart of planting season. New this year, the farm is utilizing a GPS implement guidance unit, in partnership with Lasseter Tractor Company. Check it out this year during the Expo. And as you think about this fall, start planning now to submit entries for the 2026 Southeastern Hay Contest.
General Farm Update
Spring in the Southeast is known for bringing sunshine, warm weather, green grass, and April showers. But this year is lacking in one major category. Moultrie, Georgia, home of the Sunbelt Ag Expo, along with most of the state of Georgia and the Southeast as a whole, is in a level 4 exceptional drought. The lack of rain ahead of planting season has affected about every Southeast farmer, and the Darrell Williams Research Farm is no exception.
While the drought conditions are very challenging, the Expo farm is still working hard to plant and produce an exceptional crop. In a normal year, the farm waters the ground before planting. This year, in order to help combat the extremely low soil moisture in the ground, the ground gets watered in front of the strip-till rig, in front of the planter, and after planting. After planting, the crops require more irrigation than normal, with corn taking water almost nonstop.
New Technology
The farm is utilizing a new precision farming setup this year that improves alignment between the strip-till rig and the planter. Usually, when planting, tractors rely on their own GPS guidance, which often leads to uneven row spacing during turnaround on down and back passes. AutoPath adds a GPS receiver not only on the tractor but also on the implement, allowing the implement to report its exact position back to the tractor. After calibration of the tractor’s receiver, the implement guidance ensures the equipment follows the true path of the implement instead of relying on the tractor’s estimated lines. The system determines gaps and overlaps from turnaround passes, helping to ensure seeds are placed directly into the furrow created previously. While important for all crops, this precision is especially important for peanuts. Even a slight misalignment can cause the digger to shear off peanuts and reduce yield.
2026 Hay Contest
As you plan the rest of the growing season on your farm, don’t forget the 22nd Annual 2026 Southeastern Hay Contest. A crowd favorite, the Southeastern Hay Contest recognizes the top producers in a variety of hay and balayage categories. Contestants collect a hay sample and mail it in, along with an entry form and analysis. The samples are judged based on relative forage quality, and the top three entries in each category receive a prize. The overall grand prize winner (overall highest RFQ) will receive the use of a hay tool for the 2027 hay production season AND $2,000 cash. For more information, to see the categories, and fill out the entry form, click here.
