Scientific Farmer Speaks to Rotary Club of North Jackson

Posted by Bill Osborne on Feb 22, 2017
 
Mr. Donovan Taves, farmer, President of the Louisiana Association of Conservation Districts, and Board Member of the National Association of Conservation Districts spoke to the Rotary Club of North Jackson at its February 21, 2017 meeting. The subject of his talk was soil health and modern scientific farming. He specifically discussed the use of satellites, computers and drones to improve the health, yields and success of farming. He cited that in 2003 the first satellites were used to survey and analyze crop health. Today, satellites and drones are used to manage planting, nutrition and moisture in crops.
 
Mr. Taves and his family farm approximately 3000 acres in North Louisiana between Lake Providence and Delhi. His farm is located approximately 8 miles west of the Mississippi River. He practices what is called “No till” farming that improves soil health and crop yields. Today, farm tractors, combines, etc. are steered by computers using satellite information. Irrigation is done via drip irrigation using peristaltic pumps and soil health is maintained by rotating crops so that nutrients are put back into the soil during the off season and by planting plants that restore the soil between rows of commercial crops such as rye, soybeans or corn.
 
We thank Mr. Taves for his presentation and for his dedication and commitment to soil health and scientific farming. The accompanying photos were taken during his presentation. The first photo is of Mr. Taves  (center, rear), Rotarian Suman Das (left), Mrs Melissa Taves, the speaker's wife, and Rotarian Witt Ruffin (right). The second photo is of one of the drones that he uses in his farming operation. The remaining photos were taken during Mr. Taves presentation.