Farm Safety App Could Save Lives

Cindy ZimmermanApps, Equipment, technology

Save lives in a rollover? There’s an app for that. Researchers at the University of Missouri have developed an application for smartphones that uses GPS systems to locate farmers who have rolled their tractors. The app, called VRPETERS (Vehicle Rollover Prevention Education Training Emergency Reporting System), uses sensors and GPS capability built into smartphones that can detect rollovers. Once the … Read More

Precision.AgWired.com Podcast: Adaptive nitrogen management

Meghan GrebnerApps, Fertilizer, Nutrient Management, Precision Pays Podcast, Software, technology

What if there was a way to know if too much nitrogen is applied one year or not enough the next year – before the application is ever made? Cornell University professor of soil science Harold van Es says by utilizing adaptive nitrogen management they’re trying to account for the many factors that influence how much nitrogen a corn crop … Read More

Opening up Global Ag Data Sharing

Cindy ZimmermanData Collection, General, Government, technology, USDA

At the kickoff of the G8 Open Data for Agriculture conference this week, Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack announced a new virtual community to give increased public access to food, agriculture, and rural data. “This new online community is a big step toward opening information for agriculture, making it public in useable formats,” said Vilsack. “This will increase the value of … Read More

Backup Today and Don’t Become an April Fool

Chuck ZimmermanSoftware, technology

Happy Easter which is falling on World Backup Day. Have you taken the pledge to back up your data? The World Backup Day Pledge I solemnly swear to backup my important documents and precious memories on March 31st. I will also tell my friends and family about World Backup Day – friends don’t let friends go without a backup. It … Read More

The ROI of Smart Machine Technology

Chuck ZimmermanAgribusiness, Audio, Commodity Classic, Equipment, John Deere, technology

Dr. Terry Kastens is an Emeritus Professor from Kansas State University. He’s back to farming now and spoke during a Learning Center Session at Commodity Classic sponsored by John Deere. The session topic was “Better Data, Better Decisions: the ROI of Smart Machine Technology. One of the first points Dr. Karstens makes is that every new technology requires an investment. … Read More

Trimble Connects Farms, Regardless of Brand

Jamie JohansenAudio, Commodity Classic, technology, Trimble

Technology allows farmers to do what they do and do it well. Commodity Classic is the place to share what’s new in the technology world and Trimble was there to do just that. During the event I spoke with Southern Region Distribution Manager for Trimble, Brad Rouse. He pointed out that Trimble’s early technology was in steering, but has evolved … Read More

See How Propane Pays on the Farm

Cindy ZimmermanCommodity Classic, Equipment, Irrigation, propane, technology

The Propane Education & Research Council (PERC) is revving up the 2013 Commodity Classic trade show in Orlando this week with powerful irrigation engines that can help producers save money, meet their emissions reduction goals, and become less dependent on imported oil. PERC will display new propane-fueled engines for irrigation and register producers for more than $4,000 in propane equipment … Read More

Precision Planting Introduces the vDrive

Talia GoesPlanting, Remote sensing, technology

Precision Planting introduces the vDrive, a new electric drive system for use with 20/20 SeedSense and vSet meters. According to Stoller, the vDrive replaces existing clutches, hydraulic motors and chains or cable drives. Instead, an electric drive controls each row individually, as needed, for more precise planting. Chain or cable maintenance is eliminated. SeedSense draws on GPS, radar and gyro … Read More

Sync Data with New FieldView Plus

Talia GoesData Collection, technology

The new FieldView™ Plus service from Precision Planting allows producers to sync data between multiple planters, combines, computers and additional iPads. In addition, it provides safe and secure file back-up. According to Doug Sauder, Product Manager, “Using Amazon Web Services (AWS), we built the PrecisionCloud that connects all of your iPads, SeedSense displays and planters to the cloud. This makes … Read More