It looks like more precision equipment is coming to apple and orange growers. You may not want to compare them except when it comes to the equipment you use to grow them though. Two groups of researchers at Carnegie Mellon University’s Robotics Institute have received a total of $10 million in grants from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to … Read More
Harvest Corn Cobs For Cellulosic Ethanol
Utilizing precision farming equipment when you’re harvesting corn will pay off even more once you can start harvesting corn cobs for cellulosic ethanol production. That’s what I learned at POET’s Project LIBERTY field day in Emmetsburg, IA this week. POET is working with ag OEM’s like John Deere to develop harvest equipment to collect cobs for the plants they plan … Read More
Cotton Picker in Action
I told you I’d get to see the new John Deere 7760 Self Propelled Cotton Picker in action. This bad boy will be ready for sales next year but growers can call their local dealer to get an on-farm demonstration. I liked the American flag touch. It was waving in the nice breeze we had all day. There were also … Read More
Picking Cotton at Sunbelt Ag Expo
At Sunbelt Ag Expo, the John Deere 7760 Cotton Picker is getting a lot of attention. The new machines should be available for next year but they have several out in the field including one here at this show. I’m hoping to get some video of it in action in just a little while in fact. This morning I spoke … Read More
Ag Equipment Execs Excited About AG CONNECT
A new breed of ag show has the support of the major farm equipment companies that are members of the Association of Equipment Manufacturers. At AEM’s AgExecutive Forum in St. Louis last week, Deere & Company Senior Vice President of Ag Equipment Marketing Doug DeVries said he is really looking forward to AEM’s new AG CONNECT 2010 expo, which will … Read More
AG CONNECT Will Spotlight Precision Ag
The latest technology in agriculture will be a major part of the “new generation of ag show” coming 2010 to Orlando – AG CONNECT expo 2010. A preview of AG CONNECT 2010 was offered to ag executives meeting Thursday in St. Louis for the Association of Equipment Manufacturers AgExecutive Forum. According to show manager Sara Truesdale Mooney, they have taken … Read More
A Passion for Precision
Dr. Jay Lehr of The Heartland Institute has a passion for agriculture – especially precision agriculture. “The average person thinks that farming today is the same as it was in his grandfather’s day and it’s changed dramatically,” said Dr. Lehr at a meeting of farm machinery company executives last week in St. Louis. “Using global positioning systems, geographic information systems … Read More
John Deere Introduces New Utility Tractors
We’re getting ready to “Drive Green” here in Sarasota, FL. The company announced their new line of utility tractors in the 5 and 6 Series. I’ll have pictures and video after we go out there later today. This morning at the registration table I spoke with Barry Nelson, Public Relations Manager, about what’s new from John Deere. He said, “We … Read More
Driving Green This Week
This week I’ll be “Driving Green” in the south as John Deere unveils the latest in small tractors, compact tractors, utility vehicles and more. I know you may be wondering how precision ag fits in. Well I’m going to find out and report on it right here for you with pictures and interviews. It all kicks off on Wednesday afternoon … Read More
Measuring Moisture in Forage With HarvestLab
One of the ways dairy farmers are using precision agriculture is in the area of forage production. It allows them to measure the moisture in it very precisely? John Deere was on location at World Dairy Expo once again to showcase their HarvestLab Moisture Sensor. I met and spoke with Luke Kerns. he says the unit uses a near infrared … Read More