Spraying orchards is a messy but necessary job. And if Cornell researchers succeed, a driverless tractor and sprayer could simplify the task. This fruit tree sprayer, fitted with sensors to determine location and height of trees, is part of a $3.9 million USDA-funded project at Cornell–in collaboration with the National Robotics Engineering Center at Carnegie Mellon University. The objective is … Read More
Precision Technology Can Reduce Global Warming
A group of leading and innovative companies have joined together to recommend national legislation to slow, stop and reverse the growth of greenhouse gas emissions. And a national cap-and-trade carbon reduction system using precision technology is at the heart of the program. Robert W. Lane, chairman and chief executive officer of Deere & Company, joined other business leaders in Washington D.C. recently to unveil … Read More
Precision Boom Control Saves 5 to 30% Input Costs
Yes, investment spending isn’t easy. The “pay now save later” approach was easier to swallow in 2007 than right now, but even stubborn bankers and lenders should be able to grasp saving money every year on expensive inputs! Auburn University biosystems engineer John Fulton says their preliminary research on GPS-based spray boom control technology shows a savings of between 5 … Read More
MachineFinder.com Improves Search For Used Equipment
Similar in scope to the overhaul of a tractor, John Deere has completely overhauled and redesigned its MachineFinder.com website. It is now easier than ever for customers to find and review pre-owned equipment…including precision agriculture technology. “MachineFinder not only provides improved user interfaces, but new functionality that will better assist customers in acquiring used equipment from John Deere dealers,” says Michael … Read More
Precision Irrigation With Remote Sensing
Imagine visiting a website to check your crop canopy measurement, which would tell you exactly how much water the plants need. It’s being worked on right now. With water becoming a more valuable resource when growing crops, especially high-value vegetables like this pepper field, researchers are exploring futuristic methods to measure crop canopy from satellites to save water and satisfy … Read More
Hands-free GPS Precision Harvesting On Sale
Growers looking to upgrade their harvest performance for 2009 should take a hard look at the new John Deere 70 Series Combines–and get special pricing before the February 2 deadline. Contact your John Deere dealer to check out these prices and equip a combine that best fits the way you farm. One of the best options on the market for … Read More
Precision Ag Needed To Aid Coming Food Shortages
Half the world’s population could face severe food shortages by the end of the century as rising temperatures are predicted to rob yields of rice and maize by 20 to 40% in tropical regions–so says a study in the journal Science. “The stress on global food production from temperatures alone is going to be huge, and that doesn’t take into … Read More
Teaching About Precision Agriculture Pays
As you and I both know, educating the town and city folks about agriculture is no simple task–from describing the simple nature of where food comes from to the technical side of defending how we care for the land and for animals. Precision agriculture, and its GPS tools, offers a way to showcase how we employ technology to precisely apply … Read More
Precision Tools: Comic Relief
I’ve always found that daily laughter is just as important as eating right, exercise, family and business success. To this end, we take a break on this Saturday for some levity. I’m sure you can relate to these real life definitions of some ‘precision’ agricultural tools we use… DRILL PRESS: A tall upright machine useful for suddenly snatching flat metal … Read More
Precision Agriculture Will Help Meet World Demand
“Precision agriculture is a key to helping meet the world’s demand for increased productivity from agriculture,” said Mike McGrady, John Deere Water Technologies president. These words, from the recent Deere & Company 2008 Annual Report, accurately sum up the feelings of most growers I talk to who have invested in precision farming technology and truly grasp the next level of efficiency they … Read More