AgRobotics AutoProbe Demo at CTIC Tour

Cindy ZimmermanAudio, Conservation, CTIC, Video

I did a post about the AgRobotics AutoProbe several years ago and this month I finally got to see it in action during the 2011 CTIC Conservation In Action Tour on August 9 in northwest Ohio.

“It’s the first on-the-go soil sampling apparatus for agriculture,” Jeff Burton told me. “We’ve been developing it since 2002 and have been in the early commercialization of it in the Mississippi Delta and we’re in the process of taking it national.”

The AutoProbe collects a soil core every 17 feet traveling across a field and then transfers it up to the cab next to the operator. “It’s consistent, it’s repeatable, it’s faster than any other method on the market, with auto steer we can go back to the same place in a year or three years and see the difference,” Jeff says.

Listen to my interview with Jeff here: [wpaudio url=”http://zimmcomm.biz/ctic/ctic-tour-11-burton.mp3″ text=”Jeff Burton with AgRobotics on CTIC Tour”]

Find out more about the AutoProbe on the AgRobotics website and watch it in action here:

CTIC 2011 Conservation in Action Tour Photos

There’s an app for that, too

Meghan GrebnerAerial Imagery, Ag Leader, Apps, Audio, Farmers, GPS, Precision Pays Podcast, Software

There are Android and iPhone apps for just about everything.  My friend, Jason Webster runs the Practical Farm Research for Beck‘s Hybrids in Downs, Ill.  In addition he farms, too.  Jason fully admits he doesn’t always practice what he used to preach about scouting fields during the growing season.  Because of that – he’s gone to a more sophisticated form of scouting.  One that he utilizes and with full conviction can explain to farmers why they should make the leap to incorporate that technology into their farming operations, too. 

In this month’s Precision.AgWired.com Podcast, sponsored by Ag Leader Technology, Jason explains the future of finding problems in our fields. 

 

 

 

 

 

[wpaudio url=”http://precision.agwired.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2011/08/PPP-08-11.mp3″ text=”Precision.AgWired.com Podcast”]

You can subscribe to the Precision.AgWired.com Podcast here. The Precision.AgWired.com Podcast is sponsored by Ag Leader Technology.

 

 

Machine Sync From John Deere

Chuck ZimmermanAudio, Equipment, John Deere, Video

John Deere unveiled a product that you couldn’t see on the show floor at this week’s product launch in Indianapolis, IN. It’s called Machine Sync. This new technology provides “timely, critical information on equipment location, operational status and automates equipment during harvest.”

“Having real-time data is critical for equipment operators during harvest,” says Holli Brokaw, AMS product manager for John Deere. “Our new Machine Sync and Machine Communication Radio provide the accurate, in-field information producers need to maximize efficiencies during the hectic harvest season.”

The Machine Communication Radio is the first radio on the market that can create an in-field, high-speed wireless network to facilitate machine-to-machine communication. The radio is designed to enable up to 10 vehicles in a single network to distribute data between one another when operating within a three-mile radius.

The radio, which is easy to set up and use, teams up with the Machine Sync activation and GreenStar™ 3 2630 Display and StarFire Receiver to create the in-field network to share logistics information.
Machine Sync is a John Deere exclusive system that takes harvest automation to the next level and the first application that uses the Machine Communication Radio hardware.

At this media day preview we got a field demonstration of how Machine Sync work from John Deere’s Bob Dyer. This was a simulated corn harvest demonstration where the combine and tractor/grain cart were “in sync.” I asked Bob to describe how the system works and you can also see the demonstration in the video.

You can listen to my interview with Bob here: [wpaudio url=”http://zimmcomm.biz/john-deere/jd-launch-11-dyer.mp3″ text=”Interview with Bob Dyer”]

2011 John Deere Product Launch Photo Album

How Much is Too Much?

Melissa SandfortAg Leader, Insights Weekly

Insights WeeklyLast week, we discussed some of the obstacles farmers face when it comes to adopting precision agriculture on their farm. When farmers are asked what’s stopping them from buying precision ag equipment, their first reaction is cost: the investment cost of the equipment, the time involved for them to learn how to use the equipment, and the time it will take to see their return on investment.

So we wanted to explore that obstacle further in today’s post by talking with an Ag Leader dealer, someone who hears those concerns on a daily basis and knows the insides and outs of modern farming technologies and what’s right for growers.

Bob Scott, Ag Leader dealer with Basin Fertilizer in Oregon, says precision ag equipment can really boost an operator’s skill level.

And when it comes to overcoming the obstacle of time involved when learning how to use the equipment, Scott says he provides training for his customers at no cost for the first year, and he’s always available to help a grower use the new equipment. And, Ag Leader Tech Support is available at 515.232.5363 to provide support, troubleshooting and guidance.

Scott says the bulk of his sales are in the third quarter of the year and then again in the first quarter prior to planting. That’s when the majority of growers decide to jump into the precision ag arena. He explains how he communicates to growers who may be considering precision ag options.

Again, talk to your Ag Leader dealer today about what’s right for you. They offer the complete package of precision farming tools, allowing you to get started with technology based on your comfort level and your needs.

Become a fan of Ag Leader on Facebook today, and get the latest precision ag videos on the YouTube channel. For more information about Ag Leader products and services, or to visit the blog site, go to www.agleader.com.

John Deere Conducts Biggest Product Launch in Company History

Chuck ZimmermanJohn Deere

I’ve been attending the 2011 John Deere product launch in Indianapolis, IN. It’s a big show with a lot of big equipment. John Deere will be one of our sponsors of coverage at next week’s Farm Progress Show where the new tractors and combines will be on display.

I spoke with Barry Nelson, John Deere Manager, Media Relations, to get an overview of all the products being launched. He says it is the largest product launch in the company’s history. John Deere will be 175 years old next year! Get a “picture” of the whole lineup in our interview.

You can listen to my interview with Barry here: [wpaudio url=”http://zimmcomm.biz/john-deere/jd-launch-11-nelson.mp3″ text=”Interview with Barry Nelson”]

2011 John Deere Product Launch Photo Album

Are You Ready For Farm Shows

Chuck ZimmermanZimmPoll

We’re nearing fall farm show time. So where are you going? Here’s the results from our latest ZimmPoll. We asked, “Which of these fall farm shows will you attend?” 29% of you said Farm Progress Show, 16% said Husker Harvest Days, 11% said Farm Science Review, 10% said World Dairy Expo, 8% said Sunbelt Ag Expo, 15% said Regional/Local Show and 11% said More than one. The ZimmComm team will be at a number of these shows starting with next week’s Farm Progress Show. We’ll see you from there.

Our new ZimmPoll is now live. We’re asking the question, “What is your opinion on ag-related sponsorships of sporting events??” Your input and thoughts would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.

ZimmPoll is sponsored by Rhea+Kaiser, a full-service advertising/public relations agency.

Trimble Expands Harvest Solution to Include Yield Monitoring and Row Guidance

Melissa SandfortTrimble

Trimble introduced yield monitoring and row guidance capabilities providing farmers with an integrated solution to meet their harvesting needs. These new capabilities help farmers record and analyze crop yield and moisture performance in the field, as well as accurately steer combines along rows.

Yield Monitoring
Trimble Yield Monitoring allows growers to accurately view and map yield and moisture data as they harvest, providing instant information about the performance of their crop. In addition, Trimble Yield Monitoring enables growers to track the amount of grain loaded onto the trucks in the field and wirelessly transfer the information back to the office to reconcile yield records using Farm Works® software.

RG-100 Row Guidance
Trimble RG-100 row guidance utilizes sensors on the combine head to signal the Autopilot™ steering system when to adjust to changes in the corn rows. It also centers the combine head on straight, curved, or hillside rows. The system operates in conditions that are traditionally difficult for the combine operator, such as down corn, long passes, and other poor visibility conditions, allowing the combine to harvest more corn without manual input from the farmer.

Trimble Yield Monitoring and RG-100 row guidance are expected to be available in the third quarter of 2011.

System 350 Automatic Steering Technology Now Available

Melissa SandfortCompany Announcement, technology

AGCO, Your Agriculture Company, is pleased to announce the availability of System 350 Automatic Steering through AGCO’s North American dealer network. The System 350 features a new X30 all-in-one control console that gives operators an entirely new level of precision accuracy, dependability, flexibility and ease of use beyond what they’ve come to expect from other steering systems in the market.

The System 350 Automatic Steering includes boundary and U-turn recognition features that allow operators to easily complete turns and lock onto the next swath. The System 350’s guidance dashboard provides on-screen indicators for area applied, speed, row number and satellite information while it builds a color coverage map that the operator can review to make adjustments that can help increase productivity of the work at hand. The System 350 also can be easily moved from one vehicle to the next.

Cold Feet

Melissa SandfortAgricultural Anthropology

Maybe it’s a circulation problem, I’m not sure, but my feet are always cold. It can be 100 degrees outside and my toes can be ice cold in my flip flops. It’s a problem I’ve always had and a quite frustrating one!

The same holds true for my fingers. Maybe it’s an extremities problem.

Either way, electric blankets are no good because my overall body temperature gets too high, then I can’t sleep. Socks don’t work either – my feet get claustrophobic.

Maybe what I need is this soap stone. It’s a heavy stone that was heated in the oven, wrapped in a towel then placed next to your feet in bed. This was before central heat or boiler systems and floor heat like we have now. It was also used if you were headed out on a long road trip: heat this up and put it in the car on the floorboard to stay warm.

My husband might like it too so I don’t use his legs to warm up my feet!

Until our next history lesson …

Record Setting Conservation in Action Tour

Cindy ZimmermanAudio, Conservation, CTIC

The 2011 CTIC Conservation In Action Tour on August 9 in northwest Ohio was one for the record books.

“We’re thrilled that we had to add an extra bus,” said one of the organizers of this year’s event, Steve Davis with the Ohio USDA NRCS. “We wanted to show people the agriculture in northwest Ohio, the good work that many Ohio farmers are doing, and also talk about the challenges that still lie ahead for us.”

Listen to my interview with Steve here: [wpaudio url=”http://zimmcomm.biz/ctic/ctic-tour-11-davis.mp3″ text=”Steve Davis on CTIC Tour”]

“This is by far our largest tour ever,” said tour chairman Larry Clemens of The Nature Conservancy. “I think that as CTIC we’re learning that our tours are enjoyable for people, they’re gaining in reputation, and we’re going to have to make some adjustments on how to handle over 200 people in the future.” Despite the very large group, the tour went smoothly, on time and without a hitch. Next year’s tour is slated to be in the Mississippi Delta region.

Listen to my interview with Larry here: [wpaudio url=”http://zimmcomm.biz/ctic/ctic-tour-11-larry.mp3″ text=” Larry Clemens on CTIC Tour”]

CTIC 2011 Conservation in Action Tour Photos