PepsiCo Unveils Global Precision Farming Plans

Kurt LawtonCompany Announcement, Farmers, Fertilizer, GPS, International, Irrigation, sustainability, Variable rate

Yes, PepsiCo, one of the world’s largest food and beverage companies, is working with farmers in Europe by rolling out its i-crop precision farming program. PepsiCo announced plans to roll-out its new i-crop farming technology on a global basis. The web-based tool, which was developed by PepsiCo in conjunction with Cambridge University, United Kingdom, is a crop management system that … Read More

Plant Leaves Switch Irrigation On and Off

Kurt LawtonCotton, Irrigation

A system that turns irrigation water on and off automatically based on leaf temperature is being developed by Agricultural Research Service (ARS) soil scientist Steven Evett and colleagues in Texas. Evett, a soil scientist at Bushland, Texas, and cooperators are developing time-temperature threshold (TTT) technology that is based in part on a discovery by Evett’s colleagues at Lubbock, Texas, that … Read More

Precision Irrigation Control With Smartphones

Kurt LawtonCompany Announcement, Irrigation, Software

Irrigators can now control their Lindsay Zimmatic systems with their smartphone and FieldNET Mobile. The new feature allows growers to fully control and monitor their irrigation pivots anywhere through the convenience of smartphones. “FieldNET Mobile provides a labor-saving innovation with the convenience of web-enabled phones,” says Reece Andrews, GrowSmart product manager at Lindsay. “With full control and monitoring from anywhere, … Read More

Wireless Soil Monitors for Precision Irrigation

Kurt LawtonCompany Announcement, Conservation, Irrigation, Remote sensing, sustainability, weather

Water use efficiency is vital for agriculture as our global population continues to grow. To help growers minimize water use while maintaining crop yields, Cermetek offers the new AquaMon Wireless Soil Monitoring Network. AquaMon allows active monitoring of the soil. Knowledge of soil conditions is essential to achieve high crop yield with less water.  Maintaining the optimal level of moisture … Read More

2009 Top Stories on Precision.AgWired.com – July to December

Kurt LawtonEducation, Equipment, Farmers, Fertilizer, GPS, Guidance, Harvesting, Irrigation, Planting, Research, Resources, Satellite, seed, Software, Spraying, sustainability, Tillage, weather

Yesterday, I provided my list of the “Best of Precision.AgWired.com 2009” for  January through June. Today’s list of stories runs from July through December. And tomorrow, look for the top product-related stories of the year. I hope you continue to find value in the information provided. And, as always, we appreciate any and all comments from our readers. Enjoy. And … Read More

Nebraska Technology Conference Coming in January

Kurt LawtonEducation, Equipment, Events, Farmers, Fertilizer, GPS, Guidance, Harvesting, Irrigation, Planting, Research, Satellite, Software, Spraying, sustainability, Tillage, University

All agricultural technology enthusiasts are invited to attend the 10th Annual Nebraska Agricultural Technologies Association Conference (NEATA), January 27-28, 2010 at the Midtown Holiday Inn, Grand Island, NE. Pre-conference programs will focus on Optimizing Pivot Irrigation Management (9:00 to 4:00) and Social Media Applications in Agriculture (1:00 – 4:00) will be offered the afternoon of January 27. The conference opens Wednesday … Read More

Lindsay Adds Remote Irrigation Pump Control

Kurt LawtonCompany Announcement, Equipment, Fertilizer, Irrigation

Crop irrigators can now monitor and control their entire center pivot irrigation systems via the Internet thanks to Lindsay’s added pump control on their existing FieldNET system. “Lindsay is proud to offer the industry’s first fully-integrated pump and center pivot irrigation monitoring and control package,” says Reece Andrews, GrowSmart Product Manager at Lindsay. “This means for the first time growers … Read More

Add Precision To Irrigation Water Use

Kurt LawtonConservation, Education, Irrigation, Research, sustainability

The battle for water between agriculture and urban use only continues to gain momentum, yet both sides must focus on further efficiency. In California, a new study by the Pacific Institute points to ways that agriculture can still flourish despite diminishing water supply and uncertain climate change. But, new steps to significantly increase water use efficiency must be taken. The … Read More

Precision Farming In India

Kurt LawtonFarmers, Fertilizer, International, Irrigation, Precision Ag in the News

Part of India’s National Agriculture Development Program (NADP) promotes a precision farming technique that is gaining popularity, according to a recent story in India’s national newspaper, The Hindu. Over the past two years, precision farming techniques have been promoted in 900 hectares across the district in various crops including sugarcane, maize, brinjal, tomato, onion, tapioca, sunflower and groundnut. With installation of … Read More

Farmer Succeeds With Variable Rate Precision Tools

Kurt LawtonCorn, Farmers, Fertilizer, GPS, Irrigation, Planting

On variable soils, Indiana farmer Eric Wappel has found precision agriculture success by varying fertilizer and seeding rates, according to a recent story in Indiana Prairie Farmer magazine. “We use variable rate application to spread phosphorus, potassium and ag lime,” he notes. “What we put where depends upon soil sample results. Soil sampling comes first. We use hybrids, but also … Read More