Precision agriculture is more than just right source, right rate, right time and right place. It’s also about responsible conservation measures to help reduce nutrient and soil loss. It’s anyones guess if the EPA will try to regulate farm field runoff. But irregardless of that, there are good programs in place now to help farmers pay for sound conservation practices … Read More
Precision Terrace Design Coming To Web
Designing field terraces will soon become easier thanks to a new Internet-based terrace design tool under development at the University of Missouri. Allen Thompson, Associate Professor of Biological and Agricultural Engineering, says his computer-assisted tool can upload GPS-based topographical data to facilitate design and installation on complex fields. Another benefit, aside from cutting the terrace development process in half, is … Read More
Agritechnica Announces Technology Award Winners
Top technology innovation awards were recently announced by an expert commission of the German Agricultural Society that organizes the largest international farm show, Agritechnica. Of the 300 innovations submitted, the committee selected five Gold Medals and 28 innovations for Silver Medals. Gold Medal winners include forage harvesting auto fill from Claas and New Holland, a Claas interactive combine-setting assistant for … Read More
Precision Podcast on Yield Monitor Prep
This edition of the Precision.AgWired.com Podcast, sponsored by AgLeader Technology, offers some timely tips on preparing yield monitors for harvest provided during the recent Iowa Soybean Association On-Farm Network yield monitor webinar hosted by technology manager Patrick Reeg. The entire webcast can be viewed at www.isafarmnet.com. AgLeader Technology’s pre-harvest tips can be found on-line here. Subscribe to the Precision.AgWired.com Podcast … Read More
Data Analysis Using Precision Farming Software
As harvest begins cranking up across the Midwest, growers are headed to the field with a combine and yield monitor that’s primed and ready to capture another year of valuable data. And this process often sets their minds to thinking about how they’ll use this data during the winter months ahead. Napoleon, Ohio grower Todd Hesterman consults with other farmers … Read More
Variable Rate Precision Farming — The Next Big Thing
My friend and former colleague, Farm Industry News senior editor Jodie Wehrspann, pegs variable-rate (VR) technology as the biggest overlooked story in precision agriculture in a recent piece she wrote. I couldn’t agree with her more. I’ve written many stories of progressive farmers who have been using this VR technology for years, and are making it pay, while learning its … Read More
Precision Ag Testing Of Biomass Crops
Biomass crops slated for ethanol production are gaining research dollars as scientists use precision agriculture remote sensing to study the issues and logistics of getting crops from field production to the biorefinery gate. A lot has to happen to a plant from the time it first captures sunlight in a field to being dispensed as fuel at the pump. For … Read More
Free Satellite Images Help Spot Field Problems
NASA posted a recent story on how farmers are downloading free satellite images to gain field information. It highlights how one organic farmer spots weed problems, determines hail impact and even checks pasture rotation timing. Noreen Thomas’ farm looks like a patchwork quilt. Fields change hue with the season and with the alternating plots of organic wheat, soybeans, corn, alfalfa, … Read More
Precision Makes Progress Possible
Researchers are usually the first to use new technology and when it comes to agricultural crop research, precision technology has made the development of new and better genetic varieties move at a much more rapid pace than ever before. “Everything is precision now,” Pioneer Research Scientist Bill Curran told us last week during a Forage Media Day at the Pioneer … Read More
Precision Farming: How To Grow Your Technology
As an Iowa farm kid who grew up loving technology (I just chose to write about it and let my brother run it on the family farm), one of my passions is talking to farmers about their technology adoption—so I can learn and write stories that help others. And over the past 28 years of covering the incredible advances we’ve … Read More