Just when you thought you had everyone’s picture ID in your smart phone, you find out you’ll need to add one of your favorite tractor. During the International Conference on Precision Agriculture, Chuck talked with Aaron Bartholomay with John Deere’s Intelligent Solutions Group, about how technologies are making it possible for connectivity between farmers and their equipment through MyJohnDeere.com. “We … Read More
GROWMARK Sees United Effort for Conservation as Refreshing
The recent Indian Creek Watershed Project Field Tour brought varied groups together for a common goal: conserving resources. During the tour, Chuck talked with one of our good friends from GROWMARK, Howard Brown, manager of agronomy services, who was glad to see those with different backgrounds coming together like this. “It’s not about selling one thing or promoting one idea. … Read More
Drought, CTIC Tour Open Up Learning Opportunities
If there’s anything positive about the drought this year (and I realize that’s a real stretch) it might be what producers and companies are learning from these extreme circumstances. In addition, events, such as the Indian Creek Watershed Project Field Tour, fittingly set when conservation is a hot topic of discussion gives even more opportunities to discuss how to overcome … Read More
Wyffels Hybrids Provides Precision in Imprecise Times
Last summer, much of the Midwest cornbelt had too much rain. This year, too many places can’t buy a drop. How do you make precision farming plans when Mother Nature is such an imprecise factor? Our friends at the Wyffels Hybrids Corn Strategies event in Vincent, Iowa say it comes down to being prepared to change. During an interview with … Read More
2012 PrecisonAg Awards of Excellence Winners
The recipients of the 2012 PrecisionAg Awards of Excellence were honored during the International Conference on Precision Agriculture. Thanks to Paul Schrimpf, group editor of the CropLife Media Group, for the photo since I could not stay for the luncheon at which the awards were presented. Pictured are the award winners with Elliott Nowels (l), Director of the PrecisionAg Institute, … Read More
Ag Leader Provides SeedCommand to High-Quality Hybrids
It takes good seed to make a good crop, but you also have to have that seed in good ground. In the case of precision agriculture, farmers are getting that down to the millimeter, especially when it comes to corn. Recently, Chuck had the chance to talk to one of our friends from Ag Leader, Rick Hofer, who was at … Read More
Drought Hurts Crops, Allows Weeds to Grow
Farmers in the Midwest have been hit hard with drought this summer. Not only has the dry, hot weather withered the crops, but the lack of rain also kept a lot of pre-emerge herbicides from working properly. During the recent Anthem Field Plot Tour, FMC officials got the chance to talk with farmers throughout the Midwest about these kinds of … Read More
Providing Good Ground Cover Through the Air
A dozen years ago, to me, that headline would have meant using fighter aircraft to put precision munitions on targets to protect troops on the ground. Now, in the world of precision agriculture, it means using aerial application to put down seeds for ground cover crops. “Typically your crops will [still] be out in the field, and we need to … Read More
FarmSight on International Stage
Attendees at the International Conference on Precision Agriculture got the full overview of the John Deere FarmSight strategy from Mark Stelford who does Solutions Marketing in the Intelligent Solutions Group. I visited with Mark afterward. Mark says that when you look at some of the megatrends in agriculture and outside the industry like demand for food, fiber and fuel between … Read More
Nutrient Management Options Growing
Keynote speaker Dr. Newell Kitchen, USDA-ARS, had a unique title to his presentation, “From Poking Holes to Precision Sensing: Options Growing for Nutrient Management.” He wanted to be clear that the options available to farmers today for managing nutrients are growing. He started out with a historical perspective on what has taken place in this area in recent years. One … Read More