Ted Vinson of Fithian, Illinois had very little experience with precision technology prior to winning the ASA/John Deere Reach for the Stars contest this season but now that he’s been able to use it he says, “It really is a tremendous technology and one you really can’t do without after you’ve had it.” Vinson, who has a 1300 acre corn/soybean … Read More
MN Reach for the Stars Winner Wraps Up Season
Not much rain in Gibbon, Minnesota this season either, according to ASA/John Deere Reach for the Stars winner Peter Kramer who farms about 1100 acres of mainly corn and soybeans. Pete says he was able to use AutoTrac with planting and spraying this season. “This fall I plan on using that same tractor and the AutoTrac to pull my strip … Read More
Precision Ag for Fruits and Veggies
The International Society for Horticultural Science, the International Society of Citriculture, the American Society of Agricultural and Biological Engineers, and the University of Florida Citrus Research and Education Foundation are holding an International Symposium on “Application of Precision Agriculture for Fruits and Vegetables.” The symposium will be January 6-9, 2008 in Orlando, Florida. The main goal of this symposium is … Read More
Reaching for the Stars in Georgia
The ASA/John Deere “Reach for the Stars” winner from southwest Georgia had to contend with some seriously unfavorable weather conditions this year, but Roger Godwin of Pelham says at least AutoTrac made his life easier when it came to harvesting his peanut crop. “Lot of people don’t know how peanuts are grown,” Roger said. “We have a plow that we … Read More
Precision.AgWired.com in Forage Harvesting
John Deere is exhibiting some new technology at World Dairy Expo this week that can help dairy producers by getting added value for forage at harvest. John Deere Hay and Forage Product Specialist Jim Buchs told us about Harvest Lab. “We put a unit on our forage harvester that can measure the moisture as its going through the machine,” Buchs … Read More
Reach for the Stars Follow Up
We are getting back in touch with all the ASA/John Deere “Reach for the Stars” winners this year to see how the system worked for them and just how their crop year has been. Our first follow-up is with Colin Dutenhoffer who grew wheat, corn and beans this year in Aberdeen, SD. Despite a weird weather year that included flooding … Read More
Mapping Prairie Grass
Here’s another use for aerial imagery – helping ranchers decide how many cows they can support per acre, as well as how much carbon rangeland plants store. A study by the Agricultural Research Service (ARS) and the University of North Dakota lays a foundation for eventually allowing ranchers to get Web-based information on the quality and quantity of forage plants … Read More
Check Your GPS
The Iowa Soybean Association is working to get information out to growers about updating GPS equipment through a media release sent out September 5. Farmers who rely on GPS for yield monitors or easy-steer on tractors should be aware of some changes that may affect them this fall. “The Federal Aviation Administration, which manages the Wide Area Augmentation Service (WAAS) … Read More
Satellite Citrus Research
The 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 … Read More
John Deere Pavillion Celebrates Anniversary
Ten 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 … Read More