Producers came to learn at the recent Precision Ag Expo field days held recently in North Dakota. Numerous questions, according to a story in Farm & Ranch Guide, aimed at gathering facts about zone maps, satellite imagery and variable rate precision farming. Kelly Sharpe, of GK Technology, Inc., in Halstad, Minn., said his company creates variable rate mapping, taking an … Read More
New SeedStar Planter Monitor System From Deere
“Everything that customers said they wanted in a fully integrated monitoring system for planting operations went into the SeedStar XP system,” says Chris Savener, project manager, planters, for John Deere Seeding. “This includes an easy-to-read, at-a-glance screen with seed skip information and data on row-unit ride dynamics, which are critical to monitoring and maintaining overall planter performance at the row-unit … Read More
New Case IH Precision Air Cart
It’s nice to see more ISOBUS compliant electronics on equipment, such as with the new Case IH Precision Air 3580 air cart. All systems can be controlled and monitored from the cab thanks to ISO 11783 compliant electronics–such as the Case IH AFS Pro 600 or AFS 300 display. Engineered for large acreage small grain growers who need to cover … Read More
Precision Farming in South Africa
Ag Leader’s Paul Rose blogs about his trip to South Africa, where the company installed its first ParaDyme system in that country. The 5,000 acre farmer featured in the story plants 60-inch corn that, moisture permitting, averages 80 bushels per acre. For more details, check out the story.
Test Your Corn Planting Populations
If you’re looking to experiment with corn planting populations yet this spring, check out a very good paper on plant population compiled by South Dakota State University researchers Gregg Carlson, Paul Gaspar and David Clay. Many agronomists and producers conduct experiments that test the impact of rates of fertilizer, population, or pesticide on yield. To analyze this data we need … Read More
Precision Farming By The Zone
The Furrow magazine, produced by John Deere, profiled several growers on their use of precision farming management zones in a story called “Farming In The Zone” in their March 2010 issue. Broadwater, Neb., grower Frank Lussetto says zone management helped him accomplish three broad goals of being agronomically sound, economically smart and environmentally safe. He uses zone maps for phosphorous, … Read More
Calibrate For Variable-Rate Precision Farming Success
While every farmer knows the value of preparing and calibrating the planter and sprayer, the same holds true when calibrating the electronics and software that control these implements—especially if you vary rates across the field on the go. Hopefully you pulled out that owner’s manual, or enlisted your local dealer’s help, several weeks ahead of pulling into the first field … Read More
Use Precision Software Data For Planting Trials and More
Give farmers a piece of technology and they find inventive ways to use it to benefit their operation. In the case of Newton, Iowa farmer (and Ag Leader SeedComand product specialist) Will Cannon, it all started with the yield monitor and mapping hybrids. “I like knowing exactly to a row when hybrids and varieties start and stop—especially when you have … Read More
Time To Prep Your Precision Farming Equipment
As you gear up for planting season, it’s wise to power up, check out and test your monitors, displays and other valuable electronic components before seed enters the planter and you head to the field. I talked to Nick Ohrtman this week, technical support supervisor for Ag Leader Technology. He said a good place to start is to check the … Read More
UK Leaders Tout Benefits of Precision Ag
GM crops and precision farming benefits are being pushed back onto the national agenda in the UK, with the focus to help beat climate change, according to a report in The Guardian newspaper. Former cabinet minister Chris Smith, now chair of the Environment Agency, addressed farmers at the annual conference of National Farmers’ Union, saying that “climate change will create … Read More