Machine-vision cultivation is a commercial reality for vegetable growers, but is it improving integrated weed management in these crops? University of California-Davis research results, that appeared recently in Weed Technology, showed machines gained the upper hand over hand-weeding and cultivation of broccoli and lettuce during times of rainy weather. Hand-harvested crops such as broccoli and lettuce are easily threatened by weeds. … Read More
Precision Agriculture Future is Here
Precision farming has come a long way since the military allowed civilian access to the NAVSTAR GPS constellation in 1995. We’ve gone from initial accuracies of tens of meters down to a couple centimeters. And now we’ve got receivers handling multiple satellite constellations, referred to as GNSS (Global Navigation Satellite System). Topcon Precision Agriculture’s senior VP Albert Zahalka gave a … Read More
Bread from Precision Agriculture by EarthGrains
Sara Lee is taking a unique approach to market its 100% Natural line of EarthGrain brand bread. They are promoting wheat, known as Eco-Grain, grown by precision farming growers who use variable rate fertilizer driven by satellite imagery. And they’re calling it a movement, “Helping to preserve the earth, one field at a time.” Horizon Milling (a joint venture between … Read More
2009 Top Stories on Precision.AgWired.com – July to December
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
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
Precision Agriculture Starts At Soil Level
While we often talk product and technology innovation, you truly cannot achieve real efficiency without knowing your various soils in every field. It all starts with regular soil tests, and many astute growers use this information to build management zones in every field–as the basis for variable-rate applications. Soil testing is not a budget line-item that should be cut. University … Read More
Precision Farming Technology That Pays
Yield monitor data, auto-guidance and planter/sprayer section controls are helping growers improve their bottom line, according to Indiana farmer Doug Davenport–as reported in Indiana Prairie Farmer. Speaking on a precision farming panel discussion, Davenport highlighted his list of precision efficiencies: Yield monitor data proves need for tiling, and how it will pay Auto-guidance allows for needed long days of planting, … Read More
Precision Farming Adoption And Payback
Ag Leader Technology and AutoFarm joined forces today in Ames, Iowa at the official opening of the new Ag Leader Academy to talk about their combined tools of precision agriculture with the media. Amidst the talks by management, touting the excitement of this alliance and their complete precision farming product offering, was a presentation by Iowa State University agricultural engineer … Read More
5-Year Farm Equipment Depreciation Ends in 2009
There’s still time to earn quicker depreciation—as well as a 50% first year deduction—by investing in tools of precision farming if you buy and take possession of the equipment by December 31, 2009. “Machinery is normally depreciated over 7 years, but a one-year legislative change for 2009 allows for 5 year depreciation,” says Rob Holcomb, University of Minnesota Extension Educator … Read More
Can Precision Farming Cure World Hunger?
I hope, as a precision farmer, you’ve added a ‘communicate with consumers’ recurring task to your weekly if not daily chore list. Whether you do it locally or globally, through talking or through social media, you should join the conversation to support your cause. Part of that effort is to monitor what’s said about your noble profession. To that end, … Read More