NAAJ Technical Winners - 2022

Entries in this category focus on machinery, new technology, a process, regulations or scientific methods in agriculture. Entries can apply to crops or livestock. One story or package of stories (sidebars or secondary stories) published together on a single day is a single entry in this category.

Number of entries: 30

Comments about the competition: With the exception of five entrants who could really use a good writing coach, the entries this year were pretty good. First place stood out. It was very close among places 2 and 3 and the honorable mentions. The point system I used to judge and rank was getting into half-point differences.

— Judge: Susan Chace — Former reporter, editor and columnist. Now a freelance technical writer, editor and farm owner

 

FIRST PLACE — Joel Reichenberger, DTN/Progressive Farmer

Chasing Protein’s Pluses — 2/28/2021

Judge’s comments: An absolute pleasure to read. Ride along with a Kansas wheat farmer and explore the potential of new technologies that measure protein, oil, starch and moisture on the combine during harvest. Memorable lead, well-developed middle and satisfying conclusion.

SECOND PLACE — Gil Gullickson, Successful Farming

Pay Dirt: How carbon may become another crop for farmers — January 2021

Judge’s comments: Well-researched package and excellent explanation of the potential and pitfalls of carbon sequestration markets for agriculture. This was a technical and potentially controversial subject made easy to read with balanced reporting, a few fun turns of phrase and effective quotes and real-life examples.

THIRD PLACE — Laurie Bedord, Successful Farming

In the Zone: Take the guesswork out of in-field applications – February 2021

Judge’s comments: Excellent presentation of complex information. Learn how two farmers improve profits by focusing on cost-effective crop production based on analysis of soil, seed rates and inputs needed for specific zones in their fields. Well-organized narrative. Clear. Easy to read. Excellent quotes and real-life examples.

HONORABLE MENTIONS

 — Robin Booker, The Western Producer
Resistance to resistance — future control today – 12/30/2021

Judge’s comments: Nothing can kill story momentum faster than chemical names and categories. Fortunately, this reporter gets all that out of the way early and effectively. This is a well-organized, clearly written explanation of the costs of resistant weeds and non-chemical methods that can be used to fight them. Real-world examples, effective quotes and a solid narrative with beginning, middle and conclusion.

— Clarisa Diaz, Quartz
Urban farming in Singapore – 3/30/2021

  • Three ways Singapore is designing urban farms to create food security

  • How a parking lot roof was turned into an urban farm in Singapore

  • The indoor urban farm startup that’s undercutting importers by 30%

  • How a Singapore farmer is building a better greenhouse for tropical urban farming

Judge’s comments:  Singapore meets only 10% of its nutritional needs locally but intends to increase that to 30% by 2030. This package explores some of the technologies that local entrepreneurs are developing to address the problem. The well-organized, engaging narrative has a main story that lays out the problem and acts as an umbrella for three sidebars that explore real-world solutions.