Precision guidance, autopilot and other precision agriculture technologies can give farmers yield advantages and input savings when implemented into certain cropping systems, said a Purdue University agronomist. “Automatic guidance gives producers precision farming capabilities throughout the growing season by allowing them to map tillage operations and crop planting, spraying and harvest, and can help tailor fertilizer and chemical applications to … Read More
Nebraska Technology Conference Coming in January
All agricultural technology enthusiasts are invited to attend the 10th Annual Nebraska Agricultural Technologies Association Conference (NEATA), January 27-28, 2010 at the Midtown Holiday Inn, Grand Island, NE. Pre-conference programs will focus on Optimizing Pivot Irrigation Management (9:00 to 4:00) and Social Media Applications in Agriculture (1:00 – 4:00) will be offered the afternoon of January 27. The conference opens Wednesday … Read More
Precision Farming Classes Online
University of Missouri Extension is offering an eight-week online course on managing farm machinery using precision agriculture, Jan. 12 through March 4. “The course will provide participants the tools to develop a plan for incorporating precision agriculture technology into existing equipment lines,” said Kent Shannon, MU Extension natural resource engineer. The focus of this course will be the use of … Read More
Precision Farming 2009: What We Learned
In general, the past year in the world of precision agriculture has been one of consolidation among industry players. “We’ve really streamlined into 4 or 5 major players in precision ag,” says Matt Darr, Iowa State University Ag Engineer. “Rather than a lot of companies that offer a segment of products, we’re getting down to a core set of companies … Read More
Precision Agriculture Starts At Soil Level
While we often talk product and technology innovation, you truly cannot achieve real efficiency without knowing your various soils in every field. It all starts with regular soil tests, and many astute growers use this information to build management zones in every field–as the basis for variable-rate applications. Soil testing is not a budget line-item that should be cut. University … Read More
Precision Farming Technology That Pays
Yield monitor data, auto-guidance and planter/sprayer section controls are helping growers improve their bottom line, according to Indiana farmer Doug Davenport–as reported in Indiana Prairie Farmer. Speaking on a precision farming panel discussion, Davenport highlighted his list of precision efficiencies: Yield monitor data proves need for tiling, and how it will pay Auto-guidance allows for needed long days of planting, … Read More
Lindsay Adds Remote Irrigation Pump Control
Crop irrigators can now monitor and control their entire center pivot irrigation systems via the Internet thanks to Lindsay’s added pump control on their existing FieldNET system. “Lindsay is proud to offer the industry’s first fully-integrated pump and center pivot irrigation monitoring and control package,” says Reece Andrews, GrowSmart Product Manager at Lindsay. “This means for the first time growers … Read More
Trimble Adds Harvest Capabilities To Monitor
Yield and moisture monitoring as well as mapping capabilities are being added to Trimble’s AgGPS FmX integrated display–to go along with it’s AutoPilot or EZ-Steer systems that steer the combine. Farmers can use the recorded yield data to analyze performance and create variable rate prescription maps using Trimble AgGPS EZ-Office software. Yield data stored on the FmX display can easily … Read More
The Move To Automatic Steering
As more mainstream mid-sized farmers move further into precision farming tools beyond the yield monitor or lightbar, they are fortunate to reap the benefits of those early-adopter farmers. These early users pushed companies to constantly improve their products. And the price tag on these systems has dropped dramatically, thanks to competition and better engineering. Such is the case with auto … Read More
Trimble Expands Variable-Rate Control Capabilities
New Field-IQ from Trimble is a modular system designed to work with its AgGPS FmX integrated display or EZ-Guide 500 lightbar system to help growers precisely control a variety of inputs, saving costs and applying prescription amounts. The Field-IQ system combines input control capabilities into one comprehensive, modular system, including map-based planter row unit shutoff for seed and liquid fertilizer, … Read More