Stara, one of the world’s largest agricultural implement manufacturers based in Brazil, has teamed up with Hemisphere GPS to add Outback guidance, auto steering and boon control to their newest self-propelled sprayer called Gladiador. “Hemisphere GPS products help elevate our sprayers among the precision farming industry and contribute to our goal of offering factory-installed precision agriculture solutions to our customers,” … Read More
Precision Planting Saves Thousands Of Dollars
It’s nice to see the general media cover agriculture from a positive technology standpoint. This recent story in the Janesville (Wisc.) Gazette highlights how precision agriculture tools help farmers cut costs. Chuck Pope uses global positioning software in the cab of his tractor as a guide as he plants thousands of acres of corn in Walworth, Rock and Jefferson counties … Read More
New Leica Auto-Steer Offers Free 6-8 Inch Accuracy
The new mojoGLIDE console from Leica Geosystems is claimed to offer a revolutionary new dual-frequency GLIDE positioning technology that provides 6- to 8-inch accuracy with no subscription fees and no base station. And if you buy the console, display and auto boom section control for your sprayer before JUNE 30th, you can save $4,500. Leica’s mojoGLIDE console retails at $7,990 … Read More
Satellites Show Ozone Cutting Soybean Yields
Losses of up to $2 billion per year (10%) in soybean yield is due to rising surface ozone, according to satellite measurements by NASA, as outlined in a recent study. Above a threshold concentration, ozone inhibits photosynthesis and reduces yield in soybeans, one of the more sensitive crops to high surface ozone levels. On the left are plants that have … Read More
Trimble Offers Rebate On Precision Ag Tools
If you’re in the market for precision agriculture equipment such as a good lightbar, an assisted steering system or an boom control system, Trimble is offering cash-back rebates of $150 to $300 until June 30. EZ-Guide® 250 lightbar — US $150 rebate EZ-Guide 500 lightbar — US $250 rebate EZ-Steer® assisted steering system — US $300 rebate EZ-Boom® system — US $150 rebate … Read More
Concerns with GPS Satellites and Future Viability
If you’ve heard news about potential failure of satellites in the GPS constellation by 2010…the sky is not falling and it’s not time to panic. Is there concern? Yes. A study just released by the US Government Accountability Office (GAO) shows that the Air Force (which maintains the system) and suppliers have not lived up to their promises of replacing … Read More
Who Makes Your Precision Ag Technology?
If you like to track what company’s technology is used where, GPS World offers an interesting take on the OEM market for Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) business. Industry consultant Rob Lorimer writes about the future of three competing OEM business models. One. The first model posits that core OEM GNSS technology (at board or chip level) is designed in-house and … Read More
Auto Steer Helps Recover Wet Spring Delays
Rain delays always impede timely planting in areas of the country every spring. But thanks to precision farming tools like GPS-guided auto steer, farmers like Johnny Verell near Jackson, Tenn. can make up for lost time. “It takes a lot of the stress out of planting,” Verell told Monsanto Today. “We can cover more ground and work at night a … Read More
Promote Precision Ag Benefits Beyond The Choir
As efficient farmers–using precision agriculture tools to apply less fertilizer, herbicides, insecticides, et. al.–you know your technology ROI is helping your bottom line. But do the people we feed know the improvements–in crops as well as livestock? Sadly, no they don’t. It’s time we all make a greater effort to use some precision social media tools (Twitter and Facebook, along … Read More
Marriage Proposal Thanks To Precision Ag Tools
Give credit to farmers and their creativity. Not only are they saving time, input dollars and the environment thanks to the tools of precision agriculture, some growers find ways to use it to enhance their personal lives. Vega, Texas grower Braden Gruhlkey used his John Deere GreenStar GPS-based guidance system to accurately plow the letters of his marriage proposal to … Read More