More equipment companies involved in precision agriculture are deploying remote diagnostic capabilities as part of a broader telematic system offering. Farm Industry News offers a fascinating look at some of the current technology. After being on the agriculture market for almost a decade, telematic systems that once were thought to be useful mostly to large farming and custom application operations … Read More
Less Stress With Auto Steering
Anyone who has spent 12 to 16 hours in a tractor on a given day (and for several weeks during spring and fall) knows how physically and mentally exhausting that can be. Having done that throughout my youth, I knew farmers would value the ‘less stress’ aspects of auto steer just as much if not more than the potential money … Read More
Do it Yourself Troubleshooting Before and During Harvest
As the heart of the Corn Belt is cranking up harvest, I’m guessing combine prep is done. But if not, perhaps some quick troubleshooting tips to keep your harvest data flowing into your monitor may help. I talked today with Nick Ohrtman, Technical Support Supervisor for Ag Leader Technology, and he mentioned some of common tech support topics they hear … Read More
New Apache Sprayer Line is Precision Ready
A new line of Apache sprayers was showcased by Equipment Technologies at the recent Farm Progress Show. Three new models offer wide-ranging engineering and design changes to improve value, reliability and ruggedness. As one of Raven’s largest OEM customers, Equipment Technologies can factory install the following precision options on any Apache model: SmarTrax auto-steering, the SCS 5000 application rate controller, … Read More
Big Bud – The World’s Largest Tractor
Big Bud is the world’s largest tractor so the Farm Progress Show is one of the best places to put this piece of history on display. Big Bud is so big that I couldn’t fit the tractor in one picture. I mean Big Bud is BIG. It was built in 1977 in Montana by Ron Harmonn and his crew for … Read More
Attend A Great Farm Show To Relax And Learn Before Harvest
As the nights begin to cool, we know harvest is just around the corner. But before your mind gets totally wrapped around the culmination event of your hard work, take a break to visit and learn at one of the best outdoor farm shows, the Farm Progress Show, Aug. 31 through Sept. 2 near the central Iowa community of Boone. … Read More
Solar Power Reduces Farm Energy Costs
Energy costs can be huge on some farms–from dairies to fruits and vegetables. In this age of greater precision to find ways to cut costs, an orchard in Massachusetts pursued grants to install solar panels to reduce its $80,000 annual electrical costs, according to a piece in The Telegram in Worcester. Carlson Orchard, selling apples since 1938, has installed 1,050 … Read More
Precision Ag at Farm Progress Show
Make the trek to central Iowa near Boone for the nation’s greatest summer agricultural showcase, the annual Farm Progress Show, held August 31 through September 2. Precision agriculture demonstrations return to the Farm Progress Show and will share space with the standard field demonstrations. Strip till is gaining popularity across the Midwest. These demonstrations will be located east of the … Read More
Precision Ag at Central Ohio Field Day
Precision agriculture and the economics of technology will be the focus of the Ohio State University Extension Central Ohio Agronomy Field Day on Aug. 25. The event will be held from 9 a.m. until 2:30 p.m. at David Miller Farm, 10750 Millersport Road, Millersport, Ohio. Registration is $10, payable by noon the day of the event. Precision farming topics include: … Read More
Time To Prep the Precision Combine for Harvest
As the dog days of summer heat up and are still delivering too much rain in many areas of the central Corn Belt, it’s a good time to pull out the combine manual and start gearing up for Midwest corn and soybean harvest. We spoke this week with Nick Ohrtman, technical support supervisor at Ag Leader Technology, who provided a … Read More