With tighter margins and higher input costs, now is the time to implement the best management practices (BMPs) for fertilizer use, says Bill Herz, VP of Scientific Programs for The Fertilizer Institute. Herz, who spoke at the recent Illinois Fertilizer and Chemical Association convention, promoted technology adoption–as reported by Farmweek. He urged farmers and fertilizer applicators to use available tools — … Read More
NRCS Precision Farming Initiative
USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service in Alabama has announced a new Precision Farming Incentive for farmers in that state. The Precision Farming Incentive is designed to encourage the adoption of variable-rate application of nutrients and pesticides and promote the use of GPS-enabled precision agricultural technology and equipment. The goals of the Precision Farming Incentive include improving water quality by targeting … Read More
Robotic Tractor and Sprayer Technology Coming
Spraying orchards is a messy but necessary job. And if Cornell researchers succeed, a driverless tractor and sprayer could simplify the task. This fruit tree sprayer, fitted with sensors to determine location and height of trees, is part of a $3.9 million USDA-funded project at Cornell–in collaboration with the National Robotics Engineering Center at Carnegie Mellon University. The objective is … Read More
Precision Combine Guidance Draws Reader Interest
Readers of Meister Media’s PrecisionAg eNews chose John Deere RowSense combine guidance system as a top story in 2008. Now is a good time to analyze your planting and harvesting operation to understand how precision technology can pay over the long haul. We have covered numerous stories on RowSense, a precision combine guidance tool that is helping farmers harvest every bushel using … Read More
Precision Crop Yields in Wired Magazine
News of Missouri high-yield precision guru, Kip Cullers, hit the mainstream technology scene when featured in a recent story in Wired magazine. Wired, known for covering everything techie (but rarely agriculture) in an off-the-wall style, offered an interesting look at Kip, calling him a “genius in the science of yield, and some argue a frontline warrior in the burgeoning global … Read More
Pioneer Acquires MapShots
Pioneer Hi-Bred expanded their mapping and record keeping services today with its announced acquisition of Georgia-based MapShots Inc., a privately-owned agricultural data management company that develops and sells proprietary crop management software. Pioneer, which has had a long-standing business relationship with MapShots, will now be able to extend its Pioneer FIT mapping service and information available through GrowingPoint website record-keeping … Read More
Wireless Soil Sensors Judge Crop Environment
Sensor technology continues to amaze me. Having watched this fascinating technology since the 1980s and written about its usefulness in monitoring everything from tractor components to grain quality, I’ve become a firm believer that such sensor precision truly pays. Current research underway by engineers at Iowa State University aims to plant small (2×4 in.) prototype wireless soil sensors under crops. … Read More
Precision Ag In The News
A report titled, “GPS Precise Positioning Markets 2008-2012,” is now available from Research and Markets according to a release posted on MarketWatch. GPS Precise Positioning Markets 2008-12 includes details on the projected US$ 6-8 Billion value chain; starting with precision GPS infrastructure, continuing through the market for GPS receivers, finished GPS goods and concluding with GPS augmentation and distribution services. … Read More
Precision Ag In The News
Precision farming was in the news on LDNews.com. Here’s an excerpt. “I know it sounds like you’re spending a lot of money, but when you sit down and put hard numbers to it, it pays for itself in a short amount of time,” Diller said. “Guys who are using it tell you it’s the best money they’ve ever spent.” Two … Read More
Precision Ag In The News
Those California wine makers sure seem to get it when it comes to precision agriculture. Here’s a story about how they do in the Santa Rosa Press Democrat. Did you know that precision farming played a role in today’s Wine of the Week winner, Iron Horse Vineyards’ 2005 Wedding Cuvée Blanc de Noir? The winery has a plane fly over … Read More