Precision Ag on Display at John Deere Product Launch

Chuck ZimmermanEquipment, Events

Precision AgThere was plenty of precision ag on display at the John Deere product introduction and I’ll have posts here about that over the coming days. This display was part of one of the field demonstrations where dealers got to see what they can offer their customers this fall.

While I was at this field station I interviewed Mike Park, Factory Marketing Manager, Ag Management Solutions. Mike talks about John Deere’s precision ag products. He’s really excited about the new Swath Control Pro for planting that’s now going to save growers significantly on seed costs. He also says that APEX 2.0 software is now available. He says that although not every customer is ready to invest in some of these tools he highly recommends they talk about them with their local representative. When I asked him if a grower can stair step into the precision products he says they call it, “scalable accuracy,” meaning that there are different levels of investment that will all utilize similar components.

Dealers Welcomed to John Deere Product Launch

Chuck ZimmermanAudio, Dealers, Events

Doug DeVriesThe Senior Vice President, Agricultural Marketing – North America, Australia & Asia, for John Deere is Doug DeVries. Doug came out on stage at the product launch in Cincinnati to thank the dealers who work directly with the customers.

In my interview with Doug he says this is the widest range of products they’ve ever brought to the market at once. He says it covers all areas and types of customers and is the culmination of a lot of R&D work. He comments on the growth in precision agriculture and says they see no change in the continued growth in this category of equipment.

You can listen to my interview with Doug here: Listen to MP3 Doug DeVries Interview (2:00 min mp3)

New 7330 Premium Cab Tractor With AMS and AutoTrac

Chuck ZimmermanEvents, Video

7330 TractorThe John Deere “Dedicated Leadership” product launch is in full swing and today the media, a number of securities analysts as well as dealers from around the country got to see the new products coming out from the company.

One of the first things my group got to do when we arrived at the John Deere product launch field site was drive a new 7330 premium cab tractor.

It was hot so the air conditioned cab was a welcome break. We had a John Deere representative in the cab with us just to keep us safe and of course we buckled up. The tractors were equipped with gps receivers and AMS and AutoTrac integrated.

Jen Clark was my co-pilot and she was very cooperative in allowing me to videotape my test drive.

I’ve recorded a number of interviews with other John Deere representatives here during the product launch which we’ll be featuring in the coming days.

John Deere StarFire iTC Receiver Software Enhancements

Chuck ZimmermanEvents

Starfire ITC ReceiverThe John Deere product launch, “Leadership by Design,” is underway in Cincinnati, OH.

An example of the kind of announcements we’re seeing today includes improvements to precision software.

As more producers use precision guidance to lower input costs, save fuel and reduce passes in the field, John Deere continues to enhance software to bring more value and accuracy when using field equipment. Two new improvements include Long Range RTK, which expands the working distance of a vehicle from the base station, and Shading Optimization, which enhances AutoTrac™ performance in partially shaded conditions.

“Precision guidance technology continues to improve with better software to allow greater accuracy in variable field conditions,” says Kayla Reynolds, product marketing manager, John Deere Ag Management Solutions. “Our previous version of StarFire™ RTK had sub-inch accuracy but was limited to a six-mile radius from the base station. The new Long Range RTK software now maintains the accuracy but allows a twelve-mile radius from the base station.”

Satellite Citrus Research

Cindy ZimmermanResearch, Satellite

FDOCThe Florida citrus industry is being threatened by diseases such as canker and greening that could have a severe impact on production in the future.

The Florida Department of Citrus has been working with NASA for almost three years now to determine how satellite technology can help the state’s citrus industry track grove acreage and tree numbers, and eventually spot the early signs of diseases. In a recent interview with the Lakeland Ledger, FDOC director of scientific research Dan King talked about the possibilities and the progress so far.

FDOC KingKing says one of the goals is to provide a multi-level analytical tool. “Multi-level means from the individual grove up to the government agency level,” he said. “The areas of information are all based on satellite imagery and software interpretation that allows us to develop a database of information.”

“We are working on being able to find signatures on such things as citrus greening, and those signatures will be used to evaluate imagery,” said King. “The data we are currently gathering and the research being proposed and carried forward now suggests that within two to three years, we should have an answer as to whether this is truly a capability we can generate from aerial or satellite imagery.”

Read the Lakeland Ledger interview with King here.

May The Force Be With You

Chuck ZimmermanGeneral

Ron DeFauwThis week John Deere participated in the Syngenta Learning Centers program in Milford, IA. On display was the new John Deere Central Insecticide System.

Here’s Ron DeFauw, John Deere Seeding Group, talking about a the system’s brand new way to apply Force Insecticide. Think of the box version of wine that you put in your refrigerator and you’ll have a pretty good idea what the new box formulation of this corn rootworm control product looks like. Ron says the product will be available this fall and that you should see your John Deere dealer for more information. He says the system provides for very precise control of the application of the product.

He says benefits of Syngenta’s Force CS include the fact that there’s no worry over getting granulated product or dust on your hands and the boxes are lightweight and easy to load and move. Another benefit comes after you’ve applied the product. The boxes don’t have to be returned to the dealer. You can easily dispose of them.

I’m sure we’ll be hearing more about this new product at next week’s John Deere product launch and I’ll be on hand to provide coverage here on Precision.AgWired.com.

You can listen to my interview with Ron here: Listen to MP3 Ron DeFauw Interview (2 min MP3)

Green in Cincinnati?

Melissa SandfortGeneral

The sun has been beating down on fields and cities across the Midwest this summer. As temperatures rise, grass keeps getting brown and crispy. But there’s something new and green coming to Cincinnati, Ohio on August 23rd. It’s the John Deere Intro Event and it’s the event of the year.

dsc00350.JPGCincinnati will never be greener than it will be next week. It’s the location for one of the biggest, most innovative new product launches in history. And John Deere is leading the way.

So look out! Something BIG could be coming to your farm. And you can be one of the First to See the hot, new equipment from John Deere. It’s easy!

Sign up now, or at least before Tuesday, August 21, and we’ll send you a special e-mail on the evening of August 22, 2007.

Visit the Web site to be one of the First to See!

Farm Science Review 2007

Melissa SandfortEducation, Events

Get ready for Farm Science Review, Sept. 18-20, 2007 at the Molly Caren Agricultural Center!

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New at this year’s Review is the Energy Education Tent. Located in Alumni Park, it features educational and informational displays from Ohio State, Purdue, and organizations/agencies with similar educational missions. A number of sessions at the nearby Question the Authorities program will be addressing the economics of energy markets, conservation, and new technologies. Then, the speakers will be available in the Energy Tent for “energetic” informal bull sessions related to today’s critical energy issues. The idea is to make this area a gathering point for those interested in “energetic” discussion. Some very visible energy-related technology should make this tent impossible to miss.

Also plan to attend the daily field demonstrations:
Corn Harvest: 10 a.m. Tues., 10 a.m. Wed., no demo on Thur.
GPS Technology/Strip-Till: 1 p.m. Tues., 1 p.m. Wed., 1 p.m. Thur.
Manure Application Equip: 1 p.m. Tues., 1 p.m. Wed., 1 p.m. Thur.
Corn Harvest: 1:30 p.m. Tues., 1:30 p.m. Wed., 1:30 p.m. Thur.
Tillage: 2:00 p.m. Tues., 2:00 p.m. Wed., 2:00 p.m. Thur.
Soybean Harvest: 2:30 p.m. Tues., 2:30 p.m. Wed., 2:30 p.m. Thur.

For more information, visit the Farm Science Review Web site.

Central Insecticide System for John Deere Planters

Melissa SandfortGeneral

John Deere, in partnership with Syngenta Crop Protection, announced a new liquid Central Insecticide System to help growers control corn rootworm with more efficiency and reliability while planting corn.

“This central fill, closed-handling system allows the operator to efficiently and accurately apply insecticide at planting while decreasing potential insecticide exposure to the operator,” says Rob Rippchen, division marketing manager, John Deere Seeding. “The new liquid system uses Force CS, which offers superior control of corn rootworms and is the premier product for control of early-season pests such as white grub, wireworm, and cutworms.”

455120sm.GIFThe Central Insecticide System draws Force CS from its closed packaging via direct injection, mixes it with water, delivers the solution to the individual planter row units, and applies it in a T-band over the seed furrow. Plus, as a result of this partnership, growers are provided with complete, top-notch service and support from both Syngenta and John Deere.

“This ensures precise coverage on and around the seed for excellent rootworm control,” explains Rippchen. “Also, the Central Insecticide System is a pressure-based system which provides outstanding row-to-row accuracy compared to granular insecticide systems. The system is fully integrated with the planter and compatible with Refuge Plus.”

The Central Insecticide System will be available on John Deere 1790 Planters (30-inch rows only), 1770 NT CCS Planters with Pro-Series Row Units, and DB 80 and DB 90 CCS Planters with Pro-Series Row Units. The system will help growers realize cost and time-saving efficiencies while optimizing the potential for increased corn yields. The new system will be available for the spring 2008 planting season.

John Deere Pavillion Celebrates Anniversary

Cindy ZimmermanDisplays, Education, General

PavillionTen years ago, the John Deere Pavilion and Store opened in Moline, Illinois, to celebrate the past, present and future of agribusiness. Since then, the Pavilion has welcomed millions of guests from around the world and has become the region’s most popular attraction.

On August 18, the John Deere Pavilion and Store will celebrate ten years with a day of special events and a series of new exhibits highlighting company products and important global issues surrounding agriculture. One of the new interactive exhibits is called “You Are Here: GPS in the Field,” which will provide a hands-on experience in precision farming and how it has transformed the industry.

Read more about the anniversary event here.