Virtual Weather Technology Helps Agronomic Decisions

Kurt LawtonAg Leader, Audio, Corn, Education, Farmers, Planting, Resources, weather

At this week’s InfoAg 2009 precision farming conference, National Corn Grower Association yield champion David Hula of Renwood Farms in eastern Virginia gave a presentation on technology and productivity.

As a seed producer, he likes to keep his customers informed on proper planting dates. One technology he uses to do this is Skybit.com. Hula says this virtual weather station accurately tracks soil temperature, which he ground-truthed for accuracy, so he can alert his customers to fire up the planters when the soil hits the right temperature combined with an upcoming warming trend. He also likes the disease modeling capabilities to time fungicide application. And he can include this weather data as an overlay to his yield maps.

Listen to Hula discuss this technology…[audio:http://precision.agwired.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2009/07/davidhula-skybit.mp3]

Precision.AgWired.com coverage of the InfoAg 2009 Conference is sponsored by: Ag Leader Technology.

Plan Now For Better Fall Fertilizer Control

Kurt LawtonAg Leader, Audio, Displays, Equipment, Fertilizer, InfoAg

With corn tassels popping rapidly across the Corn Belt, growers continue scouting and are beginning to think about harvest prep work as well as fall fertilization strategies. While attending this week’s InfoAg 2009 conference, precision.agwired.com caught up with Ag Leader Technology’s Jeff Bentley to gain more insight into grower use of accurate fertilizer control.

In this interview, Bentley, who heads up sales for Ag Leader’s DirectCommand precision farming control systems, talks about several valuable and efficient fertilizer application strategies (broadcast, variable-rate and prescription) that growers and commercial applicators are controlling with their Insight and Edge systems:

· More straight and variable-rate anhydrous application

· More use of our injection system to add N-Serve to stabilize N over the winter

· More use to control granular application of P & K with an air cart in strip till operations

· More control of commercial-type spinner-spreader applicators—where users can control and apply up to 5 different products in one pass

· Greater input cost savings and environmental stewardship

Listen to Jeff’s interview…[audio:http://precision.agwired.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2009/07/jeffbentley19.mp3]

Precision.AgWired.com coverage of the InfoAg 2009 Conference is sponsored by: Ag Leader Technology.

Rugged Handheld Mobile PC With GPS

Kurt LawtonAg Leader, Audio, Equipment, GPS, InfoAg

Michael Vos explains the many features of their tough and smart handheld PC

Michael Vos explains the many features of their tough and smart handheld PC

Continuing coverage of InfoAg 2009 conference here at precision.agwired.com also includes some news updates from our sponsor, Ag Leader Technologies. One of the products that jumps out at you in their booth is the bright orange rubberized SMS Mobile Field PC—which looks tough enough to play football with in the rain and mud.

Seriously though, it truly can withstand field abuse thanks to its water-proof, impact-resistant, easy-to-grip outer shell. But aside from its brawn, it’s the brains and software of the handheld PC that is attracting customers. We caught up with Michael Vos, software sales manager with Ag Leader, who gave us an update on this valuable tool.

Listen to Michael…[audio:http://precision.agwired.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2009/07/michaelvos.mp3]

The SMS Mobile has open architecture that is compatible with most desktop software solutions, but it integrates seamlessly with SMS software. It comes pre-loaded with Pocket Office applications and SMS Mobile software. For more details, visit the product page on the Ag Leader Website.

Precision.AgWired.com coverage of the InfoAg 2009 Conference is sponsored by: Ag Leader Technology.

InfoAg Speaker Promotes Fertilizer BMP Needs

Kurt LawtonAudio, Education, Fertilizer, InfoAg, International, Software, sustainability, University

Encouraging all farmers, not just the technology adopters, to use precision fertilizer Best Management Practices (BMPs) was the theme of an opening session talk by Clyde Graham, VP of Strategy and Alliances with the Canadian Fertilizer Institute.

Speaking at the bi-annual precision agriculture InfoAg conference in Springfield, Ill., today, Graham cited the importance of a global 4Rs BMP effort with their US counterpart, The Fertilizer Institute, and global science-based organization the International Plant Nutrition Institute (IPNI).

As environmental issues mount and become more personal, the 4Rs—Right source, Right rate, Right time and Right place—can help farmers and the public understand how fertilizer can contribute to sustainability goals for agriculture.

Listen to Graham as he outlines the need to achieve social, economic and environmental goals, and make sure farmers measure their performance to demonstrate an ability to operate without undue regulation.

Listen to part of Clyde’s presentation: [audio:http://precision.agwired.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2009/07/clydegrahambmp.mp3]

Precision.AgWired.com coverage of the InfoAg 2009 Conference is sponsored by: Ag Leader Technology.


Planter & Sprayer Controls Make Precision Farming Pay

Kurt LawtonCompany Announcement, Equipment, Farmers, Planting, Spraying

With seed and chemical input costs trending higher, farmers continue to seek ways to increase operation efficiency. More and more growers of all sizes are turning to the tools of precision agriculture to accomplish this goal.

Anthony Schmidt, director of product management, Applied Technology Division, Raven Industries, says producers can expect to save between 5 and 15 percent of their inputs when they utilize SmartRow or its sister product, SmartBoom, designed to control sprayer sections. Raven designed both products to utilize the same control system, allowing producers to utilize both systems and only invest in one system.

In a recent story on Raven’s website, Robstown, Tex., grower Benjamin Gwynn began integrating precision ag technology into his one-man operation a few years ago. “Precision ag makes me more efficient. Since I farm on my own, I need to take advantage of every minute I have,” says Gwynn, who uses Raven’s Smart products – Cruizer guidance system and SmartRow planter section control – to maximize his planting efficiency.

Raven’s Cruizer guidance system is simple to install, with an easy-to-use and read monitor that visually shows Gwynn where he’s been in his field, and where he needs to go.

“Because I can see where I’ve been, I don’t miss anything. The touch screen is very easy to use,” says Gwynn, adding that installation was simple.

Gwynn says that not only do the Smart products increase his efficiency, they maximize his inputs. SmartRow controls his planting sections. Like Cruizer, it works with GPS to automatically turn planter sections on and off, so he doesn’t have to worry about over-planting.

“Seed has gotten so expensive – with $350 bags of cottonseed and $250 bags of corn seed – it doesn’t take too much seed to pay for the technology,” Gwynn says. “I noticed the seed savings right away. I have bags left over.”

Check out how other growers are finding benefit with this technology, including a farmer who works off the farm full-time.

Technology Days in Wisconsin

Cindy ZimmermanDisplays, Education, Equipment, Events, General

WI Farm TechTaste, technology and tradition will converge at the Wisconsin Farm Technology Days , July 21-23.

This year, the event is being held at The Crave Brothers Farm in Waterloo, Wisconsin. The Crave Brothers are living examples of the event theme of “Food—Fuel—Future.” Since 2002, they have increased milk production on their family farm, doubled the size of their on-farm cheese plant, and formed a unique partnership with Clear Horizons of Milwaukee with two anaerobic manure digesters that create enough electricity to power 550 average Wisconsin homes. Visitors to the 1,800-acre host farm will be able to see for themselves what’s on the horizon for farm technology.

Wisconsin Farm Technology Days will feature 1,000 exhibitors and a ride-and-drive area for test-driving skid loaders, utility tractors and more. Among the field demos are alfalfa foraging, tillage, and wheat harvesting.

DeLorme Adds Digital Map Capabilities

Kurt LawtonCompany Announcement, Equipment, GPS, Industry News, Software

DeLorme, an industry leader in geospatial and mapping technology, now offers a US and World digital base maps for use within third-party GIS and OEM applications. To understand how this fits precision farming, check out their agriculture page.

“DeLorme brings over thirty years of cartographic excellence to GIS and OEM professionals looking for a new source of supply,” said DeLorme President Dave Eshelman. “DeLorme street and topographic map data has been enjoyed by millions of satisfied DeLorme software and atlas customers, and now that same data is available for third-parties.”

The DeLorme North America Data Sets provide a routable US highway, street, back road, and trail network. Detail also includes land cover, drainage and open water, plus places of interest. It is compiled from a variety of sources and includes a digital elevation model to provide topographic detail and contours. The data has a positional accuracy of +/- 5 meters CE in areas where the majority of the US population resides. Street-level detail is also available from DeLorme for Canada and Mexico

Ag Leader Builds Precision Farming Training Facility

Kurt LawtonAg Leader, Company Announcement, Education, Equipment, GPS, Industry News

One of the leading manufacturers of precision agriculture equipment, Ag Leader Technology, is adding a training facility dedicated to provide specialized, hands-on training of precision farming systems.

“As precision farming solutions continue to advance, it is important that the education and training of these technologies keep pace,” said Al Myers, President of Ag Leader.  “We want to promote precision farming knowledge and skills as more people use these solutions to improve the efficiency of their farming operations.”

The building, just west of Ag Leader’s current facility in Ames, Iowa, will feature a 12,000 square-foot equipment showroom where large equipment will be used for installation trainings and other demonstrations. There will also be two general classrooms, providing more opportunity for hands-on participation, and a computer lab designed for SMS™ Software training sessions.

“By providing valuable resources to the precision ag industry, Ag Leader Academy will be a unique opportunity to offer more training sessions and expand our training capacity in order to promote precision farming knowledge,” said Myers.

Educational sessions on various topics will take place regularly at the facility, including training on Ag Leader’s products. Sessions will be customized for Ag Leader dealers and customers as well as for other industry personnel. Ag Leader will also continue to offer their in-field training sessions.

Ag Leader Academy is expected to be completed in November 2009. For valuable information on the company and its products, check out their Insights newsletter and their customer support efforts that are invaluable to their products and software.

CNN Story On Precision Agriculture Via Twitter

Kurt LawtonFarmers, GPS, Precision Ag in the News

News network CNN talked a little precision farming last week during an interview with western Nebraska farmer Steve Tucker. But the interview focused on what Steve does with his time when his auto steering takes the wheel — he keeps up with friends using Twitter on his smartphone.

Nebraska Corn Kernels blog features a good post on the coverage, with links to the video and story.

He made many good points about farming and agriculture – and noted that many folks don’t know where their food comes from and Twitter and other social media tools are a great way to reach out and tell that story.

Plus, the technology gives him a way to have conversations all day long – with friends thousands of miles away. He also noted that farmers are doing a lot more today with less.

Since his story appeared on CNN, Tucker’s ‘followers’ on Twitter grew from about 470 to 830 – and it’s still growing. (The nearest town has a population of less than 200!)

Precision Agriculture Benefits Presented at United Nations

Kurt LawtonEducation, Farmers, Fertilizer, GPS, Precision Ag in the News, Spraying, sustainability

“Technology has reduced the amount of herbicides and pesticides needed, requiring less energy per bushel produced, thus reducing our carbon footprint.”

That was one of many precision farming efficiency messages delivered by Rob Korff last week at a United Nations food security meeting. Korff, Missouri family farmer and chairman of the National Corn Growers Association Biotechnology Working Group, explained how technology has made corn production more efficient and stabilized yields.

Advances in GPS, and precision agriculture also minimize overlap and over application of inputs, fertilizers and chemicals, reduces fuel usage and saves time.  These practices have helped us produce a more secure, abundant, affordable rood supply with less impact on the environment.

In fact, if you view trend line yield increases since biotechnology has been more widely implemented, you will notice famers have reduced the energy and inputs used in production.  Additionally, only 13 percent of our corn is irrigated and farming practices such as no and minimal till save large amounts of water and soil.  The U.S. relies on rain water for 87 percent of our corn production.  Long term trend lines also project harvesting at 10.74 tons/hectare by 2020 while the 12 year trend line projects 11.5 tons/hectare by 2020 – an increase of 24 million metric tons per year tied to yield enhancing biotech traits.

According to the National Center for Food and Agriculture Policy, the use of biotechnology reduced the use of pesticides by 110 million pounds in 2006.

By utilizing these advancements in technology, farmers are able to meet the growing demands of not just the U.S. but the world.  Despite adverse weather conditions last year, the U.S. had a 1.6 billion bushel carryout with ample supply for food, feed and fuel.

I believe biotech has been fully tested and is safe for consumption.  It is allowing farmers to produce a more secure, abundant and affordable food supply.

As education and awareness spread, technology, and more specifically, biotechnology will be the answer to feeding our rapidly expanding world population.