Trimble Receiver Collects Data with Smart Devices

John DavisAgribusiness, Equipment, Trimble

trimble R1-6aA new pocket-sized receiver from Trimble is giving producers the ability to collect, with high accuracy, data with smart devices. This company news release says the new R1 GNSS receiver works with iOS, Android or Window® mobile handhelds, smart phones and tablets using Bluetooth® connectivity.

With the evolution of smartphones and tablets, more field workers now have access to positioning technologies for geospatial data collection. The Trimble® R1 GNSS receiver is an ideal choice to collect data and inspect or manage assets using smart devices without an integrated high-accuracy GNSS receiver. Adding the optional Trimble ViewPoint™ RTX™ correction service to the R1 receiver enables users to achieve reliable sub-meter accuracy. The Trimble R1 receiver is compact and portable weighing only 6.5 ounces (187 grams). With an all-day battery life, the receiver can be carried in a vest pocket, attached to a belt using the optional belt pouch, or pole mounted. The receiver also integrates with Trimble TerraFlex™, Trimble TerraSync™ and Trimble Positions™ mapping and Geographic Information System (GIS) field software.

“The addition of the R1 GNSS receiver expands our portfolio to address the needs of organizations that have adopted a workplace Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) strategy for their businesses. We are providing an innovative solution to enable next generation capabilities for a much broader base of field workers to collect high-accuracy geospatial data,” said Alain Samaha, business area director of GIS and Software for Trimble’s Geospatial Division. “Our focus is to provide customers with a variety of options and flexibility when it comes to mobile device deployment and authoritative data collection to increase productivity and improve operations.”

The new receiver supports GPS, GLONASS, Galileo, BeiDou and QZSS satellite signals.

Trimble expects to make the R1 GNSS receiver available in early March.

Vermeer Introduces New Bale Processor

John DavisAgribusiness, Equipment

Vermeer FPX9000aIowa-based Vermeer has introduced a new bale processor with limited numbers of the new piece of equipment available this year. The company says its new Final CutTM FPX9000 bale processor lets operators produce an optimal material size for feed mixing purposes, providing increased feed efficiency in cattle.

“The Final Cut FPX9000 bale processor is designed to give you more control over the cut length and allows you to produce a finer material, making it ideal for operations mixing hay with grains and other protein sources,” said Phil Chrisman, Vermeer Product Manager. “Operators have told us that whereas their other bale processors, including our BPX9000, typically produce material that’s more than 6″ in length, the Final Cut FPX9000 consistently produces the majority of the crop to a length of 1-1/4″ – 4″. And, because the hay is much finer, the cattle sort through it less for greater feed efficiency.”

Key product features include the heavy-duty slat and chain bale rotation system that consistently feeds bales into the primary rotor and limits the need to reverse rotation of the bale. The system design allows for easy maintenance without the need to remove the entire rotation bed and reduces the need to replace bushings and bearings.

A multi-stage cutting process ensures consistency in the coverage of the crop being processed. A primary rotor cuts the initial pieces of crop from the bale before delivering it to the high-speed rotor knives. The high-speed rotor chops the crop further before sending it back through the primary rotor and ejecting it from the machine. Durable flails on the primary rotor intermesh with the knives on the high-speed rotor, minimizes the chance of unprocessed crop being fed through the machine and reducing buildup of net and twine.

Vermeer says the new bale processor also features two heavy-duty, direct drive gearboxes in the powertrain to evenly distribute power transfer from the tractor’s PTO to the rotors. This gives producers a powerful right-hand discharge of material, delivering greater durability and requiring less maintenance. Operators can choose to process large square bales or big round bales when creating windrows or bunk feeding.

Soybean Growers Ask EU to Approve Biotech Traits

John DavisAg Group, Agribusiness, ASA, biotechnology, Exports, Government, International, Soybeans

asaSoybean growers in the U.S. are calling on the European Union to approve 13 new biotechnology products for importation. This news release from the American Soybean Association (ASA) says the group, along with other U.S. farm organizations, sent a letter to European Health & Food Safety Commissioner Vytenis Andriukaitis, urging the EU to approve the products, including soybeans, corn, canola and cotton, some that have been waiting approval for more than a year.

“All of these products have received positive European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) scientific assessments and have been considered by the Standing Committee on the Food Chain and Animal Health and the Appeals Committee,” wrote the groups. “Timely action by the European Commission will avoid the risk of disruption to the essential supply of feedstocks needed by the EU’s livestock, poultry and feed industries, which are more than 70 percent dependent on imported protein.” The last import authorizations for new biotech crops were issued by the European Commission in November 2013.

Noting the existing queue of 57 import files currently in the EU system, ASA and its fellow groups reminded Commissioner Andriukaitis of a commitment by EU President Jean-Claude Juncker to complete a comprehensive review of the EU’s biotech approval procedure in six months, and urged the Commission to ensure that EFSA’s scientific opinions continue to serve as the basis for EU approvals.

The farm groups also reminded the Commission that it has certain EU’s obligations under the World Trade Organization in regard to timelier biotech deregulation decisions.

USDA Test Measures Healthy Compounds

John DavisFruit, Research, USDA, Vegetables

fnrb.gifA new test developed by U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) scientists is now measuring the health-promoting compounds in fruits and vegetables. This story from the USDA’s Agricultural Research Service (ARS) says the new analytical method is better for detecting and measuring concentrations of phytochemicals called “polyphenols” in plant materials.

At the ARS Eastern Regional Research Center (ERRC) in Wyndmoor, Pennsylvania, scientists first reported on the new test and used it on a variety of samples of beverages, grains and flaxseed. They used the new laboratory method to measure the amount of phenolics in various food samples by mixing them with Fast Blue BB diazonium salt. Under alkaline conditions, diazonium salt specifically couples with phenolics to form stable complexes that can be directly measured. The team then compared the new Fast Blue BB method to results using a traditional assay called Folin-Ciocalteu (FC). The results suggested that FC does not assess all phenolics present during tests and inadvertently measures other compounds besides phenolics.

While the Fast Blue BB method, as originally developed at the ERRC, was aimed at measuring phenolics only in plant tissue that does not contain chlorophyll, other ARS researchers reasoned that the test should also work with green vegetables if the test is modified.

The story is part of the ARS’ Food and Nutrition Research Briefs.

Bayer CropScience Presents DiFlexx Herbicide

Jamie JohansenAgribusiness, agronomy, Bayer CropScience, Herbicides

bayer CropScienceBayer CropScience announces the 2015 approval and registration of DiFlexx™ herbicide by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). The strength of dicamba is evident, as is the need for a reliable crop safener. In 2013 trials, dicamba controlled 97 percent of broadleaf weeds in corn. That’s why corn growers will appreciate DiFlexx, which brings together dicamba and the highly effective CSI Safener.

DiFlexx controls tough weeds such as Palmer amaranth, waterhemp, ragweed and lambsquarter. It also manages more than 100 annual and perennial weeds, including those resistant to glyphosate-, PPO- and ALS-based herbicides. A fit in both pre- and post-emergence programs, DiFlexx has a wide window of application, from burndown to V10, for ensuring complete broadleaf weed control and flexibility. DiFlexx is tankmix compatible with Corvus® or Balance® Flexx herbicides from burndown to V2, and post with Laudis® or Capreno® herbicides for an extra mode of action on broadleaf weeds.

As the next innovation in crop safeners, the CSI Safener in DiFlexx enables corn plants to better withstand herbicides, which can lead to increased root growth and plant health. The same safener has a history of successfully minimizing crop response, as it has been part of the Corvus and Balance Flexx herbicide forumulations. The safener enables DiFlexx registration for field corn, field corn grown for silage and seed corn, and it can also be used on fallow croplands.

Compared to Status® herbicide, another safened dicamba product, DiFlexx offers many advantages, including: a liquid formulation, pre and post application window, and the ability to safen amide products and the use of MSO or COC in late post applications. DiFlexx also causes less brace root fusing and provides better standability. DiFlexx safens other ALS and HPPD chemistries as well.

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FAA Posts Proposed Drone Rules

Cindy Zimmermandrone, Government, Regulation, UAS, UAV

uav-agThe Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has released proposed regulations for the commercial use of small, unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) or drones by industries including agriculture.

Technically called “unmanned aircraft systems” (UAS), the rules apply to small aircraft under 55 pounds and would limit their use to daylight and to visual line-of-sight operations, which could be a problem for agricultural operations.

The nearly 200 page proposal was apparently accidentally posted on the FAA website over the weekend. The FAA will be asking for comments on the proposed rules.

Deere Premium Round Balers now B-Wrap Ready

Cindy ZimmermanAudio, Forage, Hay, John Deere, National Farm Machinery Show, NFMS

nfms15-deere-brollNew for farmers attending the 2015 National Farm Machinery Show last week, John Deere announced that the 469 Premium and 569 Premium Round Balers can now apply B-Wrap, the alternative to indoor storage.

John Deere Kentucky rep Steve Broome says B-Wrap comes in rolls and is rolled onto round bales just like regular net wrap. “It seals out all moisture, yet lets the bale breathe,” he explained. “This would be for someone baling good quality alfalfa, doesn’t have enough barn storage, this allows them to store it outside and still have good quality hay a year from now.”

Balers outfitted for B-Wrap can switch between netwrap and B-Wrap in just minutes by pushing a button on the monitor and switching the rolls on the baler. For the 2015 model year, Premium Balers will ship with a sample roll of both John Deere CoverEdge Netwrap and John Deere B-Wrap.

Listen to my interview with Steve here: [wpaudio url=”http://www.zimmcomm.biz/nfms/nfms15-deere-b-wrap.MP3″ text=”Interview with Steve Broome, John Deere rep”]

2015 National Farm Machinery Show Photo Album

Coverage of the National Farm Machinery Show is sponsored by
Coverage of the National Farm Machinery Show is sponsored by John Deere

Soil-Max Introduces New Model to the Stealth ZD Family

John DavisAg Leader, Agribusiness

soilmax1Tiling equipment maker and Ag Leader Technology subsidiary Soil-Max has introduced a new piece of tiling equipment that promises to make sub-surface irrigation and drainage a more affordable option for more producers. Soil-Max’s newest addition to the Stealth ZD family, the ZD 48, debuted at the recent National Farm Machinery Show in Louisville, Kentucky and will begin shipping to buyers this summer.

This new model will bring the ability to be used by a more wide range of producers. It fits into vegetable, vineyard, forage, and pattern tiling operations, as well as the subsurface irrigation market. The ZD 48 uses the same Patented Zero Deflection Technology and aerodynamic design of the larger Stealth ZD plows. The new model is designed to be pulled by tractors in the large utility class that are equipped with a Category II 3pt hitch. It can install 2”-4” tile at a depth of up to 4 feet deep. When you pair this technology with the Ag Leader Intellislope® control system, you have a combination that can place tile when and where you want it.

Soil-Max officials believe this will bring the opportunity for more people to economically tile with tractors they already own.

FMC 3RIVE 3D Demo at NFMS

Cindy ZimmermanAudio, Equipment, FMC, Insect Control, Insecticide, National Farm Machinery Show, NFMS, Video

nfms15-fmc-3riveYou may remember us telling you about FMC’s 3RIVE 3D™ back in November at the NAFB convention.

Here at the 2015 National Farm Machinery Show we got to learn a lot more about this revolutionary system that integrates formulation technology, application technology and active ingredients to increase net planting speed, in-furrow protection and early season success.

FMC’s Matt Hancock says the idea for 3RIVE came from one of their field reps in Missouri. “It all started with identifying a grower need,” he said. “This idea of being able to apply Capture in a more efficient, fewer fill-ups kind of a way came from our rep, Mike Harper, in Missouri.” FMC partnered with Emerge Application Solutions to make it happen and it’s now available for growers this planting season.

Hancock says using the system allows a grower to cover up to 500 acres at a time with 30 gallons of chemistry combined with 130 gallons of water to create an even-flowing foam application. Capture 3RIVE 3D is the first product formulated to integrate with the platform, but Hancock says there is more to come. “We’re already looking at about a 5 year pipeline of products coming in this format,” he said.

Find out more about FMC’s 3RIVE 3D in this interview and watch the video below to see how it works: [wpaudio url=”http://www.zimmcomm.biz/nfms/nfms15-fmc-3rive.mp3″ text=”Interview with Matt Hancock, FMC”]


2015 National Farm Machinery Show Photo Album

Coverage of the National Farm Machinery Show is sponsored by
Coverage of the National Farm Machinery Show is sponsored by John Deere

Morning Farm Report from Agrible

Chuck ZimmermanAgribusiness, Apps, Markets, weather

AGRIBLE logo_smallAgrible, Inc. has just launched the Morning Farm Report, a predictive analytics tool that delivers field-specific data and forecasts to help with decision-making in the field. Designed for growers and agricultural companies, Morning Farm Report uses a subscription model to provide reports and big data views of rainfall, temperature, growing degree days, field work logistics, maximum ground pressures, and yield estimates.

“With Morning Farm Report, we want to provide growers with data that not only helps them with their daily decision making, but with forecasts that help with weekly, monthly, and seasonal planning,” said Chris Harbourt, CEO of Agrible, Inc. “Many of our developers are farmers themselves, so we know what growers are looking for and always strive to create products that we would use ourselves.”

Morning Farm Report launched with four tiered products: Rainfall, Field Intel, Tractor Time Logistics, and Yield Engine. All products are priced for unlimited fields and contain all features found in lower tiered options. For example, a subscription to Tractor Time Logistics also contains all of the features of Field Intel and Rainfall. Users choose a yearly subscription to whichever product best fits their operation. There is also the option to create a custom package based on specific needs.

Developed by an expert team in Champaign, Illinois, Morning Farm Report combines soils data, custom crop growth simulations and weather data to develop its products. Data sources include the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and the National Weather Service (NWS).

More information about Morning Farm Report and Pocket Rain Gauge can be found at MorningFarmReport.com