Soybeans Key Part of NASA’s Earth Day

John DavisAg Group, Agribusiness, Government, Satellite, Soybeans, USB

Soybeans were a prominent part of NASA’s recent Earth Day celebration at the Kennedy Space Center (KSC). The United Soybean Board (USB) shared how U.S. farmers use science and satellites to grow a sustainable crop that is a rapidly renewable source for food, feed, biodiesel and diverse biobased products. USB partnered with NASA/KSC to add soy and biobased. For the … Read More

Agreement Brings Satellite Imagery to AgVerdict

Jamie JohansenAgribusiness, Company Announcement, Satellite, Software

Wilbur-Ellis Company has reached an agreement with Planet Labs to bring satellite imagery to the AgVerdict® software platform, Wilbur-Ellis’ industry leading technology in agricultural data usage. This enhancement will significantly improve the delivery of satellite imagery to a grower, making the data available in a matter of minutes rather than days. “We’re excited to work with Planet Labs on this … Read More

NASA’s Soil Moisture Active Passive

Jamie JohansenAg Group, Satellite, Soil

Scheduled for launch on Jan. 29, 2015, NASA’s Soil Moisture Active Passive (SMAP) instrument will measure the moisture lodged in Earth’s soils with an unprecedented accuracy and resolution. The instrument’s three main parts are a radar, a radiometer and the largest rotating mesh antenna ever deployed in space. Remote sensing instruments are called “active” when they emit their own signals … Read More

Land O’Lakes, Inc. Acquires Geosys

Talia GoesAgribusiness, Data Collection, environment, Satellite

Land O’Lakes, Inc. announced its acquisition of Geosys, a global technology firm that provides satellite imaging and insights to agribusiness. The acquisition caps a multi-year relationship between Geosys and Land O’Lakes through its WinField division, which utilizes select Geosys technologies in the United States. “This acquisition further cements Land O’Lakes’ position as a leader in agribusiness. We are developing tomorrow’s … Read More

Precision.AgWired.com Podcast: What about drones?

Meghan GrebnerAerial Imagery, Gadgets, IDEAg, Precision Pays Podcast, Satellite, technology

The use of drones in agriculture is still being questioned.  Dr. Kevin Price with the Kansas State University Department of Agronomy presented at last week’s IDEAg Interconnectivity Conference in Altoona, Iowa.  He says with the new technologies that are available, unmanned aircraft systems are going to be highly beneficial in the agriculture industry.  It will allow those that are using … Read More

AGCO Launches Auto-Guide 3000

Talia GoesAgribusiness, Satellite

AGCO announced the release of Auto-Guide 3000 – AGCO’s latest integrated assisted-steering solution designed to provide professional farmers around the world with best-in-market functionality. Auto-Guide 3000 is a complete satellite-assisted steering technology and is the mainstream offering for precision technology solutions from AGCO. To meet a growing customer demand for guidance systems, AGCO has taken steps to design its next … Read More

Precision.AgWired.com Podcast: Changing hybrids on the fly

Meghan GrebnerGPS, Planting, Precision Pays Podcast, Satellite, seed, technology

When a farmer purchases a bag of seed corn – Jason Webster, director of Beck’s Hybrids Central Illinois Practical Farm Research says they should already be thinking about where they are going to plant that corn.   As technology continues to evolve – it may become easier to change hybrids within a field. In this Precision.AgWired.com Podcast, sponsored by Ag Leader Technology, we’ll … Read More

In-Season Satellite Technology Now Available

Melissa SandfortCompany Announcement, Satellite, Scouting

The latest satellite images of specific fields—combined with pertinent agronomic data—are now available to farmers and their retail partners to optimize the in-season decisions they make. The images are powered by new, exclusive technology from GEOSYS that arms retailers with the latest data to make decisions, such as determining appropriate crop protection and nutrient application, as focused and efficient as … Read More

LightSquared Implements Voluntary Chapter 11 Restructuring

Melissa SandfortCompany Announcement, GPS, Satellite, technology

LightSquared announced that it commenced voluntarily reorganization cases under Chapter 11 of the U.S. Bankruptcy Code to give it time to resolve regulatory issues that have prevented it from building its coast-to-coast integrated satellite 4G wireless network. The company fully expects to continue normal operations throughout this process. All LightSquared distribution partners and customers, including public safety, emergency response, government … Read More

App Provides Soil Survey Info at a Touch

Cindy ZimmermanSatellite, Soil Sampling

A free app for iPhone, iPad and Adroid users provides a mobile way to access soil survey information. It’s called SoilWeb and it combines online soil survey information with the GPS capabilities of smartphones. The SoilWeb app is a portable version of the UC Davis California Soil Resource Lab’s Web-based interface to digital soil survey data from USDA’s Natural Resources … Read More