My friend and former colleague, Farm Industry News senior editor Jodie Wehrspann, pegs variable-rate (VR) technology as the biggest overlooked story in precision agriculture in a recent piece she wrote. I couldn’t agree with her more. I’ve written many stories of progressive farmers who have been using this VR technology for years, and are making it pay, while learning its … Read More
New Smaller Deere Self-Propelled Sprayer
John Deere adds a new economy-sized, versatile 4630 self-propelled sprayer to it’s 30-Series lineup that is wired to add valuable precision farming tools. The new 4630 Sprayer is ideal for cotton farmers who want a low-cost, comfortable, and productive machine that’s simple to operate. It’s also ideal for corn, soybean, or small-grain producers that want a productive yet comfortable machine … Read More
Planter & Sprayer Controls Make Precision Farming Pay
With seed and chemical input costs trending higher, farmers continue to seek ways to increase operation efficiency. More and more growers of all sizes are turning to the tools of precision agriculture to accomplish this goal. Anthony Schmidt, director of product management, Applied Technology Division, Raven Industries, says producers can expect to save between 5 and 15 percent of their inputs … Read More
Precision Agriculture Benefits Presented at United Nations
“Technology has reduced the amount of herbicides and pesticides needed, requiring less energy per bushel produced, thus reducing our carbon footprint.” That was one of many precision farming efficiency messages delivered by Rob Korff last week at a United Nations food security meeting. Korff, Missouri family farmer and chairman of the National Corn Growers Association Biotechnology Working Group, explained how … Read More
Outback System Guides Brazilian Sprayer
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
Trimble Acquires NTech & GreenSeeker Technology
Trimble expands its precision agriculture solutions offering by acquiring NTech, a leading provider of crop-sensing technology GreenSeeker and WeedSeeker. NTech products use optical sensing and variable rate application to apply only the inputs needed to maximize crop yield. The GreenSeeker nitrogen application system determines the health of a plant in real time and delivers the optimum amount of nitrogen. The … 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
Precision Herbicide Application A Must
In the midst of this busy application and planting season, make sure you don’t neglect exact herbicide application rules. Read the label. Minnesota Department of Agriculture commissioner Gene Hugoson says to watch herbicide setback rules. “Many products have setback requirements, so it is important to carefully read the pesticide product label before using a product.” Atrazine, and pre-packaged or tank … Read More