Ten Years of Unscrambled GPS

Kurt LawtonEquipment, General, GPS, Satellite

Readers of precision.agwired.com know the value of how satellites and accompanying technology has totally changed farming. And as a journalist who has covered the precision agriculture industry before it’s birth, I’m jealous of some technologies that I want for my car–like auto steering. While that technology is a ways off into the future, Gearlog.com posted a recent piece on how … Read More

Auto Steering Plants More Acres Efficiently with Less Stress

Kurt LawtonAg Leader, Dealers, Equipment, Guidance, Insights Weekly, Planting, Retailers

We’ve written before about economic savings derived from auto steering and auto planter row shut-off off. But many growers often favor the aspects of increased productivity with less fatigue at the end of the day. We spoke with Adam Gittins, Precision Ag Sales Manager for HTS Precision Ag Solutions in Harlan, Iowa, about the current planting season and local farmer … Read More

Precision Spray Nozzles Reduce Drift

Kurt LawtonEquipment, Spraying

Spring wind has long caused challenges with timely herbicide application–to control weeds at the right size. But low-drift nozzles can significantly reduce the very fine particles that are most susceptible to drift. “These low-drift nozzles are really having a revolutionary impact,” says Dr. Tom Wolf, a research scientist with Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada and a member of the Weed Science … Read More

Trimble Touts Wireless Data Management as Connected Farm

Kurt LawtonCompany Announcement, Equipment, Software, Trimble

New wireless connectivity to transfer field data between machines, handheld computers and the farm office is the latest innovation from Trimble–touted as its Connected Farm info management solution. The EZ-Sync solution adds wireless connectivity throughout the entire farming cycle, fulfilling a key component of Trimble’s Connected Farm solution. Information flows seamlessly between your mobile handheld device, your Precision Ag display … Read More

AutoFarm Launches Affordable Easy Steering

Kurt LawtonCompany Announcement, Equipment, GPS, Guidance

For growers who seek the basics in assisted steering with the ability to work their way into it should check out the new OnTrac2 and the ParaDyme roof module from AutoFarm. OnTrac2 gives affordable, easy-to-install, hands-free GPS steering with unmatched portability across vehicle types. Coupled with the new ParaDyme Roof Module, it offers superior assisted steering that can run on … Read More

Calibrate For Variable-Rate Precision Farming Success

Kurt LawtonAg Leader, Corn, Displays, Education, Equipment, Insights Weekly, Planting, seed, Soybeans

While every farmer knows the value of preparing and calibrating the planter and sprayer, the same holds true when calibrating the electronics and software that control these implements—especially if you vary rates across the field on the go. Hopefully you pulled out that owner’s manual, or enlisted your local dealer’s help, several weeks ahead of pulling into the first field … Read More

Young Farmer Forum Talks Precision Agriculture

Kurt LawtonEquipment, Farmers, Fertilizer, GPS, Guidance, Harvesting, Planting, Satellite, Software, Standards, sustainability

Agriculture.com, one of the longest running ag websites powered by Successful Farming, has a social network for young and beginning farmers called Farmers For The Future. One of the recent topics centered around precision farming talks about a move into RTK and the CORS network. The challenge is dealing with all ages and different colors of equipment. Sam asks…We have … Read More

New TeeJet ISOBUS Sprayer Control

Kurt LawtonAudio, Company Announcement, Displays, Equipment, Spraying, Standards

TeeJet now offer two new solutions for ISOBUS sprayer control for owners of factory-installed virtual terminals, or for operators who require a complete system including a virtual terminal. The TeeJet ISOBUS Sprayer System uses a John Deere, CASE IH or AGCO virtual terminal.  The kit includes the IC18 ISOBUS Sprayer Electronic Control Unit (ECU), BoomPilot automatic boom section control module, a switch … Read More

Boomer 8N Has Old Look but New Tech

Cindy ZimmermanEquipment, National Farm Machinery Show, New Holland

The New Holland Boomer 8N made its debut at the National Farm Machinery Show last year – but it was just as popular with young and old alike at this year’s show. The Boomer 8N is a updated remake of the classic Ford 8N tractor, part of New Holland’s heritage. I talked about the Boomer’s first year with New Holland’s … Read More

Research: Machine-Vision Guided Cultivation

Kurt LawtonEquipment, GPS, Guidance, sustainability, Tillage, Weed control

Machine-vision cultivation is a commercial reality for vegetable growers, but is it improving integrated weed management in these crops? University of California-Davis research results, that appeared recently in Weed Technology, showed machines gained the upper hand over hand-weeding and cultivation of broccoli and lettuce during times of rainy weather. Hand-harvested crops such as broccoli and lettuce are easily threatened by weeds. … Read More