No two farms are alike, even the same crop on the same farm varies from year to year based on the weather and pests going through the area. This variation creates a challenge for farmers, who must examine the land in order to know what needs to be done. If a winter is mild, for example, more insects will survive to eat crops. One year a particular moth or beetle may not pose any threat to crops and the next season it could spoil the plants if some action is not taken. Scale plays a large role in the methods used.
Small farms tend to weed, plant and harvest by hand.
Larger farms tend to rely on machines and organic or chemical sprays. When growing organically, you are feeding the soil. You are concerned with soil life and soil structure, Herbert says. All farmers add nutrients to the soil. Conventional farmers use a chemical compound known as NPK, which is nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium.