Survey of arable farmers in England show only 35% have even looked into what precision farming could do for them, according to a recent story in the UK farm magazine Farmers Weekly. Fertilizer price rise is driving greater interest, as precision applications of typical fertilizer and lime are touted to save approximately 30%. SOYL Ltd, an independent company that provides … Read More
Concerns with GPS Satellites and Future Viability
If you’ve heard news about potential failure of satellites in the GPS constellation by 2010…the sky is not falling and it’s not time to panic. Is there concern? Yes. A study just released by the US Government Accountability Office (GAO) shows that the Air Force (which maintains the system) and suppliers have not lived up to their promises of replacing … Read More
Smart Nozzles Aid Precision Application
With planting and spraying season top-o-mind right now, more and more growers are saving money with planter and boom control precision agriculture technology. For growers ready to move up to the next level of precision, check out Harrison Ag Technologies and their Smart Nozzle–which received a FinOvation award for 2009 from Farm Industry News magazine. Using GPS technology for tracking … Read More
Precision Farming Data Will Pay
The early pioneers of precision agriculture technology were often frustrated–not unlike the initial stages of any technology. The data gathered could produce impressive yield maps, but the knowledge base to glean better management decisions from them was lacking. Today, those pioneering growers have a treasure trove of data that can possibly be manipulated into zones–leading to improved management decisions. Corn … Read More
The Future of Automated Crop Production
An autonomous gardener robot that uses sensors and computers to water, fertilize and harvest fruits and vegetables is under development by Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) students of computer science and artificial intelligence labs (CSAIL). While the long-term goal of this specific research project is to develop such automation for greenhouses, imagine the uses for monitoring fields of grain. … Read More
New GreenSeeker Precision Products To Save Fertilizer
GreenSeeker, the optical-sensing system from N-Tech that applies the right amount of Nitrogen based on plant readings from on-the-go sensors, offers several new products. The GreenSeeker RT200-4 Variable Rate Application and Mapping System uses four sensors across an applicator rig that is 60 ft. wide or smaller. Suggested list price is $18,500. The GreenSeeker RT150-3 Mapping System produces high-quality real-time … Read More
Farmers Win Precision Ag Technology at Commodity Classic
Hats off to PrecisionAg magazine and its owner, Meister Media Worldwide, for giving away precision farming equipment to growers for the past 14 years! The following lucky growers will soon be putting these new precision tools to work–which they won at the recent Commodity Classic in Grapevine, TX. David Farmer, D.F. Ranches, El Nido, CA – InSight Display from Ag Leader. … Read More
Variable-Rate Fertilizer Gains Speed and Precision
The cost of fertilizer has more growers looking for increased efficiency. And growers I talk to who use soil sampling, fertility maps and the variable-rate technology of precision farming are very pleased with the results. One tool that growers are excited about is the new high-speed anhydrous toolbar that John Deere introduced last summer. The 2510 Series of nutrient applicators … Read More
Precision Irrigation With Remote Sensing
Imagine visiting a website to check your crop canopy measurement, which would tell you exactly how much water the plants need. It’s being worked on right now. With water becoming a more valuable resource when growing crops, especially high-value vegetables like this pepper field, researchers are exploring futuristic methods to measure crop canopy from satellites to save water and satisfy … Read More
Precision Tools: Comic Relief
I’ve always found that daily laughter is just as important as eating right, exercise, family and business success. To this end, we take a break on this Saturday for some levity. I’m sure you can relate to these real life definitions of some ‘precision’ agricultural tools we use… DRILL PRESS: A tall upright machine useful for suddenly snatching flat metal … Read More