You know it must be fall when the trees are turning colors, pumpkins are on porches and people are getting lost in corn mazes. Once upon a time, pumpkin farms and fall festivals began developing small, simple mazes from hay bales or corn stalks to entertain families, but the current maze craze of huge, elaborate designs in corn fields is … Read More
Ethanol Could Improve Diesel Engine Efficiency
Using ethanol mixed with water in diesel engines could make them more efficient and reduce emissions. National Corn Growers Association chairman Bob Dickey is also chairman of CleanFlex Power Systems, which is so new they haven’t built a website yet, but what they have done is developed a method to efficiently use ethanol in diesel engines. Dickey started the idea … Read More
Monitoring Your Yield Monitor
Grain yields must be corrected for moisture, otherwise wetter heavier grain will skew yields higher while drier, lighter grain will appear to decrease yields, says Matt Digman, University of Wisconsin Biological Systems Engineer. “Changes in corn variety, moisture content and individual kernel density can lead to measurement error. It is recommended that a calibration load be entered every 2-3 weeks, … Read More
The Power of Harvest Data
High input costs, lower grain prices and a tough overall economy are driving farmers to seek efficiency in every part of every field they farm. The good news is that growers can capture data for every pass they make over a field today—which yields powerful information, and profits. To this end, I spoke recently with Luke James, software trainer and … Read More
Free Satellite Images Help Spot Field Problems
NASA posted a recent story on how farmers are downloading free satellite images to gain field information. It highlights how one organic farmer spots weed problems, determines hail impact and even checks pasture rotation timing. Noreen Thomas’ farm looks like a patchwork quilt. Fields change hue with the season and with the alternating plots of organic wheat, soybeans, corn, alfalfa, … Read More
Plant Tissue Sampling Aids Precision Fertility
Without in-season plant tissue testing to see if crops are nutrient deficient, you may be leaving yield in the field. Unseen nutrient deficiencies can stunt growth, harm plant health and limit yield. Tennessee Farmers Cooperative began working with A&L Labs this year to train co-ops on proper sampling, and some are adding this service to their precision agriculture programs, according … Read More
Raven Using Social Media Communications Tools
If you’re a Facebook or Twitter user, you can now connect with Raven Industries to learn more about their precision agriculture offerings and get the latest information. Follow Raven on Twitter under “RavenIndustries” (http://twitter.com/RavenIndustries), and become a fan of our Facebook page “Raven Industries” ( http://tr.im/pTsY) to hear the latest on our products and their use in the field. We … Read More
Clemson Takes Precision Agriculture On The Road
Precision farming hits the road in South Carolina as Clemson University Mobile Precision Ag Lab travels the state to take ag research from the field to the farmer. Clemson’s Will Henderson works from the back of the trailer to share real-time results of Clemson studies and demonstrate the principles of precision agriculture. “It’s a traveling road show for precision ag,” … Read More
PrecisionAg Supports New International Trade Show
The PrecisionAg Institute will be the supporting organization for the new AG CONNECT Expo 2010, which holds it’s first international show on January 13-15, 2010 in Orlando, Fla., according to the Association of Equipment Manufacturers. Attendees will find the latest innovations, products, services and technology in all agriculture sectors and will be able to network and discuss industry trends and … Read More
Technology Days in Wisconsin
Taste, technology and tradition will converge at the Wisconsin Farm Technology Days , July 21-23. This year, the event is being held at The Crave Brothers Farm in Waterloo, Wisconsin. The Crave Brothers are living examples of the event theme of “Food—Fuel—Future.” Since 2002, they have increased milk production on their family farm, doubled the size of their on-farm cheese … Read More