Tomorrow, May 21, the first of 12 ‘next generation’ GPS satellites will head into space. Boeing announced that the first of 12 Global Positioning System (GPS) IIF navigation spacecraft that the company is building for the U.S. Air Force has successfully completed prelaunch testing. The satellite, GPS IIF-1, is scheduled for a May 20 launch aboard a United Launch Alliance … Read More
Field Rugged PC Improves Crop Scouting Capabilities
As planting continues throughout the country, some of our thoughts here begin to focus on the emerging plants and keeping stress off of them. One good technology tool to help with this task is Ag Leader’s rugged SMS Mobile Field PC. “In addition to crop scouting essentials for documenting weeds and insect pressure, our new just-released software update for SMS … Read More
Precision Farming Chat Session This Friday
UPDATE MAY 3 — In case you missed this chat – visit Truffle Media who posted the entire convo. Several farmers who use the social media Twitter are holding a one-hour chat about precision agriculture this Friday April 30th at noon Central. According to Daren (@kansfarmer), topic will be precision ag, with a focus on planting precision-related topics and issues. … Read More
AutoFarm Launches Affordable Easy Steering
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
Precision Agriculture Blogging in Alabama
I have not met a grower involved in precision agriculture that doesn’t love, no crave, more information on the subject. To this end, check out the very good Precision Ag Blog, compiled and written by various extension pros in the Alabama Cooperative Extension System. Recent blog posts talk about variable rate (VR) seeding, VR calibration, data management, data collection with … 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
Young Farmer Forum Talks Precision Agriculture
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
Use Precision Software Data For Planting Trials and More
Give farmers a piece of technology and they find inventive ways to use it to benefit their operation. In the case of Newton, Iowa farmer (and Ag Leader SeedComand product specialist) Will Cannon, it all started with the yield monitor and mapping hybrids. “I like knowing exactly to a row when hybrids and varieties start and stop—especially when you have … Read More
Trimble Offers New RTK Accuracy Service
For US growers in nine states, Trimble launches its new VRS Now Ag service to deliver RTK sub-inch positioning via cellular communications–without the need for a local base station. Growers in Alabama, Colorado, Florida, Iowa, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Mississippi and Nebraska can access VRS Now Ag. Additionally, European growers can receive correction services in Great Britain, Ireland, Germany, Czech Republic … Read More
The Virtues of High Precision
During the recent Galileo Appreciation Days held in Brussels, the high degree of accuracy and precision that’s possible with EGNOS, Galileo and other GNSS technologies were celebrated, as reported by the European GNSS Supervisory Authority. “EGNOS is already a success story in the agricultural sector,” said Aguilera. “It already has 50% market share, which is expected to reach 70% by … Read More