Don’t Apply Nitrogen Yet

Kurt LawtonConservation, Corn, Fertilizer, sustainability

IF YOU ARE APPLYING FALL NITROGEN TOO EARLY, STOP! MISUSE MAY ELIMINATE FALL APPLICATION FOR EVERYONE

We’ve shared with you in this forum on many occasions that increased regulations and legislation are headed your way. And in this case, some farmers and applicators might be asking for it. It is too early to be fall applying nitrogen. Environmental extremists are documenting, right now, everywhere they can find, individual cases of N being applied at inappropriate times. Is the rush to get field work done worth costing everybody in the industry fall applied nitrogen? That’s not an exaggeration and the outcome is nearer than you might choose to believe.

We’ve all been victims of “one bad apple spoiling the whole basket.” Years of responsible fertilizer application and nutrient management plans by thousands of farmers in Illinois will be undone if irresponsible behavior is undertaken and we turn a blind eye.

Take a lesson from what happened in the state of Florida. Legislation via litigation ended up costing farmers in that state after extreme environmental groups pushed their agendas through the courts. Illinois is next on their hit list. This means you. The loss of fall applied nitrogen will cost Illinois agriculture billions of dollars.

You may not be fully aware of how imminent this situation is. But take this as your notice. You will lose the opportunity to include fall applied N as a management tool in your nutrient plan if as a whole, we don’t do what’s right. We’ve talked the talk. Now it’s time to walk the walk.

Illinois farm organizations and the Illinois EPA have been in your corner, supporting your access to fall N. Not following best management practices for nitrogen undermines everyone’s credibility and will soon cost you this option.

The future of fall applied N in the state of Illinois depends on YOU. Do what’s right.

  • The IL Fertilizer and Chemical Association recommends using nitrogen stabilizers for ALL fall applied N.
  • Wait until after October 15th before even considering N application.
  • Only apply N when the soil temps are in the low 50’s and the longterm forecast is for sustained cool weather.
  • If you choose NOT to use an N stabilizer, only apply N when soil temps are below 50 degrees and will stay that way.

One-stop Control For All Fall Applications Saves Money

Kurt LawtonAg Leader, Displays, Fertilizer, GPS, Guidance, Insights Weekly, Spraying, Variable rate

Insights WeeklyAs weather across the Corn Belt improved this week to help speed harvest, some farmers are either thinking about or applying fall fertilizer.

I checked in with Ag Leader’s Chad Huedepohl yesterday, and he reminded me of the many benefits of controlling these product applications with their DirectCommand system linked with either the INTEGRA or EDGE displays.

“Whether growers are applying granular fertilizer with a spinner spreader, liquid fertilizer, anhydrous ammonia, or a combination on a strip-till toolbar, DirectCommand can control variable-rate application for each product,” he says.

Huedepohl, sales manager for DirectCommand, says growers are cutting application costs by 5 to 15 percent due to reduced overlap with AutoSwath control. “It can control up to ten sections on a boom, or even control spinner spreaders. Growers can also inject N-Serve into anhydrous or Instinct nitrogen stabilizer into a manure application,” he adds.

Use the INTEGRA display to control, adjust and record up to 5 different products in one application, or the EDGE display to handle two products. Both displays offer easy-to-use controls with on-screen guidance showing actual map coverage, and it’ll monitor up to three outside-the-cab pressure gauges.

With the INTEGRA display, all application details are captured on a Smart Report to easily generate PDF files that can be used as government certified application maps. And all data is easily transferred into SMS software for analysis and future year input needs and budgets.

Visit these links for more information.

DirectCommand http://www.agleader.com/products/directcommand/

INTEGRA http://www.agleader.com/products/integra/

EDGE http://www.agleader.com/products/edge/

Remote Machinery Diagnostics Capabilities

Kurt LawtonDealers, Education, Equipment, GPS, Harvesting, Internet, Planting, Retailers, Satellite

More equipment companies involved in precision agriculture are deploying remote diagnostic capabilities as part of a broader telematic system offering.

Farm Industry News offers a fascinating look at some of the current technology.

After being on the agriculture market for almost a decade, telematic systems that once were thought to be useful mostly to large farming and custom application operations with far-flung equipment fleets are beginning to offer features that smaller operations may find attractive as well.

The newest systems offer remote diagnostics of power equipment, real-time combine monitoring and on-the-go transfer of prescription application, as-applied and yield maps. GPS-based features like current location, field and transport speeds, and idling versus working time also are becoming more sophisticated.

Read the rest of the story.

Real Precision Soil Mapping in a Vineyard

Kurt LawtonEducation, Remote sensing, sustainability, Video

Fascinating video of how one Sonoma County, California vineyard, Jordan Winery, is finding the best grape characteristics in various field locations, digging soil pits and analyzing soil attributes and characteristics in order to bring that location’s success to the whole field. Talk about precision agriculture!

Take a look.

And here’s a blog post about the soil mapping study.

Less Stress With Auto Steering

Kurt LawtonEquipment, GPS, Guidance, John Deere, seed

Anyone who has spent 12 to 16 hours in a tractor on a given day (and for several weeks during spring and fall) knows how physically and mentally exhausting that can be. Having done that throughout my youth, I knew farmers would value the ‘less stress’ aspects of auto steer just as much if not more than the potential money savings.

To that end, a recent piece on the adoption of GPS that appeared in The Cap Times newspaper (Madison, Wisc.) talked about the economic savings of precision farming. And it quoted Columbus, Wisc., farmer Alan Paulson who said, “At the end of the day, you’re not exhausted.”

Check out the rest of the story.

New Trimble Display Touts Affordable Capabilities

Kurt LawtonCompany Announcement, Displays, GPS, Guidance, Planting, Satellite, Spraying, Variable rate

Trimble recently introduced its latest in-cab, touch screen CFX-750 display. The 8-inch, full-color display allows farmers to choose the specific guidance, steering and precision agriculture capabilities that best fit their farm’s particular needs. The farmer can upgrade the CFX-750 display as business needs change, including adding GLONASS capabilities, or adding section and rate control for crop inputs such as seed, chemicals and fertilizer.

When the built-in, dual-frequency receiver is upgraded to GLONASS, it provides the option to nearly double the number of available satellites from which to receive satellite signals.

For precision planting operations, the CFX-750 display is compatible with Trimble’s Field-IQ crop input control system and Tru Count clutches and can perform section control on up to 48 sections. Add rate control with the Field-IQ system to save costs and increase yields while also keeping records of what was applied. Additionally, operators can increase visibility from the cab by using the two live video feeds on the CFX-750 display to view the implement being pulled behind the vehicle.

“The Trimble CFX-750 display features the industry-leading Trimble Maxwell 6 chip that tracks up to 44 satellites simultaneously including GLONASS,” said Erik Arvesen, vice president and general manager for Trimble’s Agriculture Division. “This is a great high-performance, entry-level platform that can be upgraded to the Field-IQ section and rate control system as the farmer’s needs grow.”

The CFX-750 display is affordably priced starting at US$2,995 MSRP and is expected to be available in September 2010. Contact a local Trimble dealer at www.trimble.com/locator for more information.

Precision Farming Software Upgrades Boost User Experience

Kurt LawtonAg Leader, Insights Weekly, Software

Insights WeeklyIn precision agriculture, farming your data is darn near the most important management operation on your farm. And like a finely tuned combine, a computer and the right software program backed by a company that continually strives to improve its data harvesting is invaluable.

Ag Leader Technology, one such company, expends a lot of effort in continually improving its SMS software, for desktop and mobile platforms. I spoke with Corey Weddle yesterday, director of software solutions at Ag Leader, who filled me in on their latest upgrade.

“Within the next week we’ll be releasing version 10.5 of our SMS Basic and Advanced software, and Mobile version 4.5. Along with numerous enhancements to existing features and file formats that we support, two user friendly upgrades feature a print wizard and an auto software update function,” he says.

All printer options are easily found in the menu box, along with easy ways to custom build your maps complete with titles, logos, photos and more, according to Weddle. “We have streamlined the process to empower users to create more customized maps.”

The new TrueUpdate function will automatically check for the latest SMS software version and download/install it for you, much like how your PC can auto update your operating software. “This offers a more interactive interface between us and the customer, as we can remind users if they are behind on their annual maintenance program, which provides free support and updates for the year,” he says.

On the SMS Mobile side, version 4.5 is now available. As you remember this summer they announced support for installs on PC devices (netbooks, tables, latops). So users will now have a choice on the device that they run the software on, and will enjoy new features to help in their daily activities.

First, mobile users can now print (PC only) or generate an image file ready to print or email on both PC and the PDA. “This is a big benefit for users who only run SMS Mobile without the desktop software,” Weddle adds.

Second, the software allows downloading images like aerial photos directly into the mobile device when connected to the Internet. “Before, we had to do this on the desktop software then sync it or manually import it into the mobile,” he says. “For example, this offer the functionality of downloading an aerial photo while in the field, where you can even hand draw boundaries of the field in case you don’t have boundaries set yet.”

Check out this earlier story on SMS Mobile http://precision.agwired.com/2010/07/sms-software-now-for-mobile-pc-devices/ and a video demonstration of SMS at a recent farm show http://precision.agwired.com/2010/09/a-demo-of-ag-leaders-sms-technology/.

Visit these links for more information.

SMS Mobile http://www.agleader.com/products/sms-mobile/

SMS Advanced http://www.agleader.com/products/sms-advanced/

SMS Basic http://www.agleader.com/products/sms-basic/

Precision Pasture Fertilization with GPS

Kurt LawtonEducation, Fertilizer, GPS, Guidance

Who says livestock producers can’t benefit from precision agriculture? Ever tried to follow your tracks when spreading manure in a hayfield or pasture?

Extension educators were inspired to secure the same advantages for the southwest Alabama livestock producers.

“Much like row-crop farmers, livestock producers use fertilizers and herbicides to make their pastures more productive, but they often have trouble making uniform applications,” says Ken Kelley, a regional Extension livestock educator.

In the case of fertilizers, Kelley says, the end result of uneven fertilization turns out to be alternating light and dark green patches throughout the field.

Chuck Madaris, a purebred and commercial producer who also sells hay, benefitted from the grant and initially used his GPS device to spread chicken litter, which serves as his sole fertilizer source.

“When we spread litter in the hayfield, it was just about impossible to do a good job because the fields are cut smooth and it’s almost impossible finding tracks,” he says.

“GPS definitely offers an advantage.”

Madaris also adapted the GPS device for use with spray applications, which seemed to work more effectively than the foam markers previously used.

He says he has not been disappointed.

For more details, read the rest of the story.

Precision.AgWired.com: Farm Progress Shows Precision Tools

John DavisAg Leader, Audio, Farm Progress Show, Precision Pays Podcast

Precision.AgWired.com Podcast

In this edition of the Precision.AgWired.com Podcast, sponsored by Ag Leader Technology, we take a look at some of the precision technology on display at this year’s Farm Progress Show.

Show manager Matt Jungmann characterized as a bit soggy (four inches of rain on one night of the shows!) but overall successful demonstration of what America’s farmers are doing today. One of those exhibitors that was still able to make an impression on the crowds was our sponsor Ag Leader. Jeff Bentley, GPS Guidance and Steering Sales Manager for Ag Leader , showed off the company’s new GPS guidance and steering technology called ParaDyme, while Ag Leader’s Lucas James demonstrated the company’s SMS Technologies software.

You can hear what they have to say about their precision technologies and what it was like to be at this year’s Farm Progress Show in this edition of the Precision.AgWired.com Podcast it in the player below below. [wpaudio url=”http://zimmcomm.biz/precision/precision-podcast-13.mp3″ text=”Precision.AgWired.com Podcast”]

You can subscribe to the Precision.AgWired.com Podcast here.

Precision Farming Tools Can Reduce Your Environmental Footprint

Kurt LawtonAg Leader, Conservation, Fertilizer, Guidance, Insights Weekly, Planting, seed, Spraying, Variable rate

Insights WeeklyConservation. Sustainability. Water Quality. These hot topics are on the minds of government, and should be a continued focus by every grower. As you look at your operation, and your investment in precision farming equipment, it pays to think proactively and adopt components that can improve your environmental footprint.

I spoke the other day with Iowa farmer Tim Palmer, who also is president of the Conservation Districts of Iowa—a group of 500 county commissioners who are responsible for carrying out state laws and programs within district boundaries. Palmer had just returned from their annual conference where the theme was ‘Mastering Conservation 101.’

“Our whole conference was all about topics focused on improving water quality. If we can keep soil in place, water quality automatically improves,” he says. “We discussed many ways to help educate growers on conservation methods; about how there’s more to soil quality than organic matter and yield. And we offered breakout sessions on planter adjustments, managing no-till residue, precision farming, value of no-till, livestock grazing management and other topics.”

Chad Huedepohl, DirectCommand sales manager for Ag Leader Technology, spoke to the group about how precision farming tools can help promote conservation practices. He addressed three areas during his talk:

1. Auto guidance: “I talked about the myth that auto steer only works in fields with straight rows. Our SmartPath technology tracks the contours in a field as you drive the first path, then it takes over the steering during subsequent paths—which helps growers farm fields differently to keep erosion in check. And auto guidance eliminates row marker trenches that can turn into highly erodible gullies during heavy rain events,” Huedepohl says.

2. Efficient nitrogen application: “Our OptRx crop sensor system can help growers reduce excessive nitrogen application by reading the crop and applying only the amount needed, instead of applying a flat rate of nitrogen across whole fields.”

3. Reduced chemical and seed over-application: “As growers adopt more contour planting to reduce soil and water movement and erosion in square fields, they create more point rows which can lead to over-application of seed and chemicals,” he says. “With auto guidance and row/boom shutoff, that problem is eliminated. Our AutoSwath technology combined with planter row shutoff devices not only provide less corn lodging and herbicide over-application, it saves on seed and chemical input costs, too.”

Visit these links for more information.

Conservation Districts of Iowa http://www.cdiowa.org/index.html

Iowa Soil and Water Conservation District Annual Conference
http://www.cdiowa.org/AnnConf10/Ann%20Conf%202010%20Program%20draft.pdf

Ag Leader SmartPath http://www.agleader.com/2010/07/08/smartpathtm-“drive-and-guide”-guidance-pattern-introduced-by-ag-leader/
http://www.agleader.com/products/guidance/guidance-patterns/

Ag Leader OptRx http://www.agleader.com/2010/02/15/optrx/
http://www.agleader.com/products/directcommand/optrx/

Ag Leader AutoSwath http://www.agleader.com/products/directcommand/