Tips for the Field

Laura McNamaraGeneral

PrecisionAg.com is offering Tech Tips to farmers. The new season means farmers are looking to get back to their field routines as smoothly as possible. PrecisionAg.com had some ideas to help make the transition as smooth as possible: Updates Check. Before you head to the field, go to the manufacturer’s web site and make sure that your field computer has … Read More

Iowa Soybean On-Farm Network Info

Cindy ZimmermanGeneral

The Iowa Soybean Association’s On-Farm Network now counts more than 300 Iowa farmers who conduct on-farm studies to evaluate nitrogen management and other corn and soybean production practices and inputs on their own farms. One of the things they do is a monthly On-Farm Update, which is being inserted in issues of Wallaces Farmer. Here’s a link to a pdf … Read More

Conservationists Use Precision Ag

Cindy ZimmermanConservation, General, GPS

USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service rolled out a new campaign this week called Conservation, Our Purpose – Our Passion. The campaign kick-off Tuesday at the National Association of Conservation Districts’ annual conference in Reno included a video highlighting eight farming operations for their conservation commitment One of those was the Gwinn Brothers operation in Suwanee county, Florida. Donell (pictured) and … Read More

Precision Ag Research in Missouri

Cindy ZimmermanAudio, General, Research, University

Earlier this year I did a post about research being done by USDA-ARS and University of Missouri extension on precision agriculture. I had a chance to talk with MU extension ag engineer Kent Shannon about their research work and how they are proving that precision really does pay. Listen to my interview with Kent here. Kent Shannon (7:30 min mp3)

A Wiki Definition of Precision Farming

Chuck ZimmermanGeneral

The online encyclopedia called Wikipedia defines precision farming this way. Precision farming or precision agriculture is an agricultural concept relying on the existence of in-field variability. It’s about doing the right thing, in the right place, in the right way, at the right time. It requires the use of new technologies, such as global positioning (GPS), sensors, satellites or aerial … Read More

Precision for Specialty Crops

Cindy ZimmermanGeneral, Research

USDA’s Cooperative Extension Service has a good summary of a workshop held earlier this year on “Engineering Solutions for Specialty Crop Challenges.” The workshop provided a forum for special crop industries to engage the science and technology community. Industry representatives voiced their concerns with regard to productivity, production efficiency, post-harvest processing, and environmental quality. In response, the research community offered … Read More

Tennessee RFS Winner Talks About His Experience

Cindy ZimmermanAudio, General, Reach for the Stars

Alan Meadows is a corn and soybean producer from Halls, Tennessee – which is located in the western part of the state near the border with Missouri. As one of this year’s ASA/John Deere Reach for the Stars winners, Meadows was able to use the precision agriculture package in several different applications. “First I had it on my sprayer and … Read More

IL Reach for Stars Winner Wrapup

Cindy ZimmermanAudio, General, Reach for the Stars

Ted Vinson of Fithian, Illinois had very little experience with precision technology prior to winning the ASA/John Deere Reach for the Stars contest this season but now that he’s been able to use it he says, “It really is a tremendous technology and one you really can’t do without after you’ve had it.” Vinson, who has a 1300 acre corn/soybean … Read More

Precision Ag for Fruits and Veggies

Cindy ZimmermanEducation, Events, General

The International Society for Horticultural Science, the International Society of Citriculture, the American Society of Agricultural and Biological Engineers, and the University of Florida Citrus Research and Education Foundation are holding an International Symposium on “Application of Precision Agriculture for Fruits and Vegetables.” The symposium will be January 6-9, 2008 in Orlando, Florida. The main goal of this symposium is … Read More

Reaching for the Stars in Georgia

Cindy ZimmermanAudio, Equipment, General, Reach for the Stars, Satellite

The ASA/John Deere “Reach for the Stars” winner from southwest Georgia had to contend with some seriously unfavorable weather conditions this year, but Roger Godwin of Pelham says at least AutoTrac made his life easier when it came to harvesting his peanut crop. “Lot of people don’t know how peanuts are grown,” Roger said. “We have a plow that we … Read More