Attendees of the recent International Conference on Precision Agriculture in Indianapolis, IN got the chance to see different groups and companies, even some competitors, work together for the common good of the agriculture industry through an organization known as AgGateway. “AgGateway is an organization focused on enabling eCommerce in the agricultural industry, and it goes across trading partners broad and … Read More
Hello? It’s For You… Your Tractor is Calling
Just when you thought you had everyone’s picture ID in your smart phone, you find out you’ll need to add one of your favorite tractor. During the International Conference on Precision Agriculture, Chuck talked with Aaron Bartholomay with John Deere’s Intelligent Solutions Group, about how technologies are making it possible for connectivity between farmers and their equipment through MyJohnDeere.com. “We … Read More
2012 PrecisonAg Awards of Excellence Winners
The recipients of the 2012 PrecisionAg Awards of Excellence were honored during the International Conference on Precision Agriculture. Thanks to Paul Schrimpf, group editor of the CropLife Media Group, for the photo since I could not stay for the luncheon at which the awards were presented. Pictured are the award winners with Elliott Nowels (l), Director of the PrecisionAg Institute, … Read More
Nutrient Management Options Growing
Keynote speaker Dr. Newell Kitchen, USDA-ARS, had a unique title to his presentation, “From Poking Holes to Precision Sensing: Options Growing for Nutrient Management.” He wanted to be clear that the options available to farmers today for managing nutrients are growing. He started out with a historical perspective on what has taken place in this area in recent years. One … Read More
What’s Still Needed For Remote Sensing
The first of the two keynote speakers at the International Conference on Precision Agriculture is Dr. David Mulla, University of Minnesota. Dr. Mulla is a past chair of the conference btw. His topic was “Key Advances and Remaining Knowledge Gaps in Remote Sensing for Precision Agriculture.” So he talked about what we know and what we don’t know. It’s clear … Read More
AgNerds Love Precision Agriculture
We like new technology and we like our gadgets. We’re called AgNerds. And AgNerds are pretty open to precision agriculture. John McKee is one of us. John is a farmer of corn, cotton, soybeans and wheat. He was a civil engineer prior to farming so precision ag has come natural to him. He was also one of the speakers on … Read More
Precision Ag in a Conservation Plan
During the 2012 Conservation in Action Tour the word “precision” came up multiple times. As precision ag continues to develop it is being seen as an effective tool for conservation plans and practices. One of our speakers addressed this subject. He’s Terry Griffin, farmer and also VP, Applied Economics for new precision ag company, CrescoAg. Terry says one example of … Read More
Land Forming For Sustainable Water Conservation
Last week I attended the 2012 Conservation in Action Tour courtesy of AGROTAIN. I’m going to share some of my stories here like this one with one of the speakers on the annual tour. Travis Satterfield grows mainly rice and soybeans in Mississippi. He has also served as Chair of Delta F.A.R.M. and is a member of the Mississippi Delta … Read More
Farm Bill Priorities Discussed at Commodity Classic
The biggest topic of discussion at the 2012 Commodity Classic last week was the farm bill – what should be in it and whether we will even see one this year. It was the main question that the presidents of the four farm organizations that participate in Classic answered during their time on stage during the general session with emcee … Read More
Doing Precision Conservation In Illinois
This week I participated in the Conservation Technology Information Center’s Indian Creek Watershed Project field tour. Several bus loads of participants visited Livingston County, IL area farms to see and hear how they are implementing best management practices for things like nutrient management. One of the people working on the project with CTIC and a presenter is Harold Reetz. I … Read More