When Was He Born?

Melissa SandfortAgricultural Anthropology

Asking “When was he born?” might be a polite way to ask “How old are you?” But I’m allowed to ask that question of ancestors long gone.

This photo is of Jonathan Henry, my Grandmother’s great-grandfather, born in 1848. This was taken in 1898. He farmed along the Missouri River until it rose out of its banks and washed away the farmland. As any good farmer would do, he tightened his suspenders (and his belt), forged ahead, and purchased another piece of land for each of his five boys.

To go back to Jonathan’s story though, I oftentimes hear mention of a farmer with his trusted steed. Horses have been an important part of farming since the 1800s (and still remain so in some parts of the country and some farming operations) – this horse and buggy in particular were once used to transport jugs of water out to the men in the field. I felt a little guilty as I packed an insulated mug of Folger’s coffee for my husband this morning.

And I have to note that the horse and buggy required a great deal of work: constantly maintaining horse health, fly nets had to be kept in supply (the strings over the horse’s back pictured here), blanket pins. It’s quite unlike tossing my coat in the car (which is already warm from our insulated garage) and off I go.

I don’t need to ask how old he was…Jonathan Henry died in 1932.

Until we walk again …

Farmers Who Pursue Maximum Yields

Cindy ZimmermanAudio, Farmers, Growmark

Achieving maximum yields is the goal when you are pursuing them and that is what the farmers who participate in the GROWMARK FS Green Plan Solutions program are accomplishing.

At the recent “Pursuit of Maximum Yields” (POMY) seminar in East Peoria, I talked with Justin Green of Arthur, Illinois who participated with his father and brother in the program last season. “We kinda threw every thing at the corn crop that we could, trying to see what the yield potential of the corn crop is and what pieces add to the yield,” he said. “We had a fantastic corn yield and that plot actually won the Illinois Corn Growers yield contest.”

When I asked Justin what maximizing yields means to him, he said, “Maximizing yields means enhancing our management practices, doing the same thing that we’ve always done is not going to meet the yield goal of 300 bushels per acre, so we’re going to have to change things.” He added that he would recommend the FS Green Plan POMY program for any grower. “Absolutely, so that they can determine what their yield potential is and what they need to do to take their farm to the next level.”

Listen to my interview with Justin here: [wpaudio url=”http://zimmcomm.biz/growmark/pomy-justin.mp3″ text=”Justin Green Interview”]

FS Green Plan Solutions, an integrated, solutions-based approach designed to help producers enhance farm profitability by providing complete agronomic recommendations from a trusted team of FS specialists.

RTK … An Introduction

Melissa SandfortAg Leader, Education, GPS, Insights Weekly

When it comes to precision agriculture, it’s quite simple to get lost in the technical terms, the acronyms, and the sea of capabilities available. So today, Ag Leader Technology is helping to decipher, in layman’s terms, Real Time Kinematic, or RTK.

The quick answer is: It’s still GPS, it’s just more accurate. It’s a differential correction system capable of sub-inch repeatable and pass-to-pass accuracy. Traditionally, it has required a base station within several miles of your rover.

Now here’s the longer answer:

Insights WeeklyMaybe Differential GPS (DGPS) isn’t accurate enough for your farming operation. In the past, RTK has been prohibitive for some agricultural applications due to the cost or because the rover has to be fairly close to the base station in order to get a clear signal. But now, by having an Internet connection at your base station, or by using a base station network such as CORS (Continuously Operating Reference Stations), and a cell phone in your rover (with a monthly data plan), you can get a clear RTK signal within 6 miles from your base station (some locations aren’t limited by distance). RTK signals are transmitted via radio, high-speed wireless and Internet.

Here’s what you need:
• A dual frequency GPS receiver. Data is transmitted from the base station to your receiver once per second.
• Your own base station, or there is a network of base stations available for you to use (such as a CORS network)

Here’s what you get:
• Sub-inch accuracy (+/- 1 inch as compared to +/- 6 inches with DGPS)
• Increased profits (get an increased payback through increased area covered per hour, reduced time spent in the field, fuel savings, minimizing labor costs and time savings)
• Increased time-savings
• Reduced skip and overlap
• Reliability, speed and repeatable solutions, meaning you can drive the same row pass-to-pass, year-to-year.

Making the investment in RTK means equipment can be driven more efficiently for longer periods of times with less fatigue.

So what kind of applications can benefit from RTK? Strip tillage and other types of precision fertilizer placement, laying drop irrigation tape, or planting and harvest of high-value crops such as potatoes, peanuts and cotton. And of course, contact your Ag Leader dealer (http://www.agleader.com/dealer-search/) to see what is right for your needs.

Click here for additional information or for a CORS article in Ag Leader’s March 2010 Insights Newsletter.

Precision Power Pulling?

Chuck ZimmermanNational Farm Machinery Show, Video

Championship Tractor PullIt’s “like candy for pullers.” That’s the Championship Tractor Pull taking place after the National Farm Machinery Show closes for the day. I know these tractors aren’t out in the field running precision hardware/software but thought you might enjoy seeing one of them in action.

I had to spend a little time seeing the big indoor show and have some photos uploaded for you.

This invitation-only event stars the nation’s best drivers and their ground-pounding machines – Pro Stocks, Super Stocks, Modified, and Alcohol Tractors as well as Two-Wheel and Four-Wheel Drive Trucks. The drivers compete in four exciting evening performances and an additional pull on Saturday afternoon. Drivers are not only gearing up for the unequaled thrill of winning at this nationally recognized pull, but also for the chance to bring home a share of more than $200,000 in prize money.

2011 National Farm Machinery Show Photo Album

Precision.AgWired.com coverage of the National Farm Machinery Show is sponsored by: Ag Leader Technology

Ag Leader and AutoFarm Receive FinOvation Award

Chuck ZimmermanAg Leader, National Farm Machinery Show

Ag Leader Technology FinOvation AwardDuring the National Farm Machinery Show, Farm Industry News presented their 2011 FinOvation Awards at an evening banquet. Our sponsor, Ag Leader Technology, along with AutoFarm, won for their INTEGRA display/ParaDyme system in the Precision Navigation category. Seen with the award are Mike Olson and Lori Costello, Ag Leader Technology.

A year ago, Ag Leader and AutoFarm teamed up to develop precision products. The first products released from this venture included the Integra display and Paradyme steering system, which drew lots of attention from FIN readers.

2011 National Farm Machinery Show Photo Album

Precision.AgWired.com coverage of the National Farm Machinery Show is sponsored by: Ag Leader Technology

John Deere Launches 1 Series Subcompact Utility Tractors

Cindy ZimmermanGeneral

John Deere Subcompact 1 SeriesJohn Deere unveiled a new line of subcompact tractors at the National Farm Machinery Show in Louisville this week – the 1 Series Subcompact Utility tractors. John Deere Product Manager Kevin Branstetter gave the media a sneak preview, which you can see in the video posted below.

Kevin says there are two models, the 1023E and 1026R, which are customer designed and will accept a full range of implements. One of those is a mid mount mower deck that allows the operator to drive over it and auto connect! Also important is an auxiliary power outlet so you can keep your mobile phone charged while you’re mowing or working. They’ll be available in John Deere dealers soon.

2011 National Farm Machinery Show Photo Album

Advanced Seed Monitoring From Ag Leader Technology

Chuck ZimmermanAg Leader, Audio, Displays, National Farm Machinery Show, seed

Ag Leader TechnologyIt has been a busy day at the National Farm Machinery Show. I’ve been doing interviews all day and adding to the photo collection. So, lots of stories will be forthcoming in the next few days. Let’s start off with our coverage sponsor.

This morning I learned some of what’s new with Ag Leader Technology from Russ Morman. Russ gave me an overview of new products on display that includes their SMS Mobile Mesa Rugged Notepad hand held display, their new GPS 2500 system and advanced seed monitoring for the INTEGRA display. He says they’ve been receiving the most questions on advanced seed monitoring.

You can listen to my interview with Russ here: [wpaudio url=”http://zimmcomm.biz/nfms/nfms-11-morman-1.mp3″ text=”Russ Morman Interview”]

2011 National Farm Machinery Show Photo Album

Precision.AgWired.com coverage of the National Farm Machinery Show is sponsored by: Ag Leader Technology

“Smart Farming” Segment Planned for Agritechnica

Cindy ZimmermanAgritechnica, Events, technology

Agricultural equipment and machinery manufacturers are implementing more advanced electronics into their products these days to help farmers become ever more efficient. That’s why “Smart Farming” will have its own special segment at Agritechnica 2011, November 15-19 in Germany.

AgritechnicaAccording to show sponsor DLG, “Smart Farming – Intelligent and sustainable plant production “ will host a wide range of renowned independent experts from leading agricultural consultancies and specialists from academia.

Visitors to the “Smart Farming” show special will be able to obtain a wealth of authoritative information and practical advice on the best-practice application of current technologies together with news of the latest technical trends that underpin intelligent farming.

Interactive displays and simulators will address many important topics including: Navigation, Sensor Technology, Data Management, ISOBUS and Future Solutions.

“Robotics, automated steering and driving, and GPS satellites are just some examples of future technologies which are now within the reach of today’s progressive farmers. The DLG at Agritechnica 2011 will highlight the exciting efficiencies that can be achieved by adopting the best technologies available today that are vital to intelligent enthusiasts” says Roland Hörner, Head of Technology, DLG.

Read more here.

National Farm Machinery Show Open

Chuck ZimmermanNational Farm Machinery Show

National Farm Machinery ShowThe show is underway in Louisville, KY and the crowd is growing by the minute. The weather is really helping out as things warm up.

I did a little random photo walk and have added to the photo album. Keep an eye on it as it grows these next couple days! Since I had just posted the results of our latest ZimmPoll about smartphone platforms I thought it was interesting to run into a booth selling mobile phone accessories!

2011 National Farm Machinery Show Photo Album

My next step is to begin doing some interviews and of course I’ll be tweeting at @AgriBlogger!

Precision.AgWired.com coverage of the National Farm Machinery Show is sponsored by: Ag Leader Technology

The Smartphones You Use

Chuck ZimmermanZimmPoll

When it comes to smartphone platforms our audience is using a mix with iPhone/Android/Blackberry on top. According to our poll 32% say they use iPhone, 32% are using Android, 28 % are using Blackberry and way back we have 5% saying Other and only 3% saying Windows. Interesting and I think we’ll have to ask this question again later this year since there are going to be a lot of changes in mobile phone carrier systems and phones. So, does this surprise you? About what you expected?

Our next ZimmPoll is now live and asks the question, “What biofuel feedstock do you think has best future?” Let us know what you think and thank you for participating.

ZimmPoll is sponsored by Rhea+Kaiser, a full-service advertising/public relations agency.