Producers came to learn at the recent Precision Ag Expo field days held recently in North Dakota. Numerous questions, according to a story in Farm & Ranch Guide, aimed at gathering facts about zone maps, satellite imagery and variable rate precision farming. Kelly Sharpe, of GK Technology, Inc., in Halstad, Minn., said his company creates variable rate mapping, taking an … Read More
Precision Agriculture Workshop in California
UC Davis has prepared a great all-day workshop on Site-Specific Management to help increase widespread adoption of this valuable tool. It will be held July 14 in the UC Davis conference center (the day before Weed Day). Here’s a look at the program: Workshop Goal: Present and discuss SSM concepts and applied research in order to provide the audience with … Read More
New Case IH Precision Air Cart
It’s nice to see more ISOBUS compliant electronics on equipment, such as with the new Case IH Precision Air 3580 air cart. All systems can be controlled and monitored from the cab thanks to ISO 11783 compliant electronics–such as the Case IH AFS Pro 600 or AFS 300 display. Engineered for large acreage small grain growers who need to cover … Read More
ARS Using Field Topography To Improve Fertilizer Use
Using an airplane with LIDAR (light detection and ranging) sensors is helping USDA-ARS researchers build better management zone maps that can accurately predict yields based on topography. With the maps fed into computerized, variable-rate fertilizer applicators, precision farmers can divert more of their costly fertilizer to the highest-yielding zones and the least to the lowest-yielding zones. They can also use … Read More
Think About Your Precision Nutrient Plan
Best Management Practices, or BMPs, are essential for precision farming. Nate Taylor at ZedX wrote a good blog post yesterday on this subject. As with any business, developing Best Management Practices (BMP) is essential to continued success and profitability. As you develop BMP’s for your farm, a critical piece to include are Nutrient Management plans. In this post we are … Read More
Consider Sidedress N Applications Or Mapping with OptRx Sensors
As corn continues to grow across the Midwest, areas of heavy rain in portions of states may cause more problems than just pond replanting. Loss of applied Nitrogen can cause valuable yield loss. I spoke with Cory De Jong, Certified Crop Advisor and GIS/Agronomy Sales at Sully Cooperative Exchange in Sully, Ia. today. They tested the Ag Leader OptRx crop … Read More
Variable Rate Fertilizer/Manure Saves Money and Environment
Auburn University biosystems engineer Jonathan Hall recently highlighted the value of prescription maps and VR (variable-rate) application to reduce runoff and save up to 30 percent in annual costs. With the spring growing season finally underway, many Alabama farmers are fertilizing their fields to enhance crop yields. Most people are familiar with farm-grade fertilizers such as 8-8-8 and 10-10-10. Granular … Read More
Control More Products With Mid-level Precision Farming Monitor
Added features to existing precision farming monitors can truly benefit owners and prospective buyers alike. Such is the case with Ag Leader’s dual product application upgrade for its mid-range, economical EDGE display. Owners of granular spinner-spreader fertilizer rigs and anyone with a sprayer will benefit thanks to new dual product control. “Fertilizer applicators can now variable-rate apply both P and … Read More
Ag Leader EDGE Display Offers Dual Product Control
Ag Leader’s popular EDGE display can now be used to control two product applications simultaneously. Chemical Injection Dual product control in the EDGE display will support sprayer control of a liquid carrier and a single injection pump. Like other Ag Leader products, the EDGE display’s DirectCommand system now interfaces to the Raven Sidekick chemical injection pump for complete control over … Read More
Value of Soil and Crop Sensing
As planters continue to roll across the Midwest, most farmers are thinking about what’s next. One component of precision farming you may want to try is the use of crop sensing. Why? Because this is the future that will help overcome field variability–from helping create optimum field management zones to monitoring crops so growers can take action before yield-robbing stress … Read More