We’ve written before about economic savings derived from auto steering and auto planter row shut-off off. But many growers often favor the aspects of increased productivity with less fatigue at the end of the day. We spoke with Adam Gittins, Precision Ag Sales Manager for HTS Precision Ag Solutions in Harlan, Iowa, about the current planting season and local farmer … Read More
Control More Products With Mid-level Precision Farming Monitor
Added features to existing precision farming monitors can truly benefit owners and prospective buyers alike. Such is the case with Ag Leader’s dual product application upgrade for its mid-range, economical EDGE display. Owners of granular spinner-spreader fertilizer rigs and anyone with a sprayer will benefit thanks to new dual product control. “Fertilizer applicators can now variable-rate apply both P and … Read More
Calibrate For Variable-Rate Precision Farming Success
While every farmer knows the value of preparing and calibrating the planter and sprayer, the same holds true when calibrating the electronics and software that control these implements—especially if you vary rates across the field on the go. Hopefully you pulled out that owner’s manual, or enlisted your local dealer’s help, several weeks ahead of pulling into the first field … Read More
Deere At Classic
At Commodity Classic in Anaheim, CA, Jared Hayes, John Deere, was showing attendees what the company is offering to growers in the area of precision ag. With spring almost here and planting just around the corner I asked him what’s new from the company. Jared says one of the big things with planting which is becoming more important every year … Read More
Time Savings With Precision Farming Equipment
We like to write weekly about how growers and how company technology makes precision agriculture pay. Part of making these tools pay almost always includes time savings—which isn’t always as black and white as input dollars saved. Today I spoke with Hannibal, Mo., grower Mark Lehenbauer about his first decade with precision farming tools on their corn-soybean operation. Mark, who … Read More
Planter Row Control Can Save You Money
As I talk to many growers about their adoption of precision farming equipment and tools, I always like to find out what technology they could eliminate from their operation—if they were forced to give up something. Well, as you can probably guess, almost everyone who has auto steer would never go back to steering again. Who can blame them. However, … Read More
Crop Consultants Help Precision Farming Strategies
When the term ‘crop consultant’ comes to mind, growers often think in terms of scouting, insects, diseases, soil fertility and testing, and perhaps input buying recommendations. But have you stopped to think about their value in helping you properly invest in tools of precision agriculture? Retailers who sell precision ag equipment know the technology, but do they know your operation … Read More
Kansas Precision Ag Technology Meeting in January
Growers from Kansas and surrounding states should attend the 14th annual Precision Agriculture Technologies Conference on January 21-22, 2010, in Salina, Kansas at the Ramada Conference Center. Registration begins at 8 a.m. with the program starting at 8:45 a.m. Industry and university speakers will update attendees on the latest information about new equipment, methods, economics and research related to precision … Read More
Precision Farming 2009: What We Learned
In general, the past year in the world of precision agriculture has been one of consolidation among industry players. “We’ve really streamlined into 4 or 5 major players in precision ag,” says Matt Darr, Iowa State University Ag Engineer. “Rather than a lot of companies that offer a segment of products, we’re getting down to a core set of companies … Read More
Trimble Adds Harvest Capabilities To Monitor
Yield and moisture monitoring as well as mapping capabilities are being added to Trimble’s AgGPS FmX integrated display–to go along with it’s AutoPilot or EZ-Steer systems that steer the combine. Farmers can use the recorded yield data to analyze performance and create variable rate prescription maps using Trimble AgGPS EZ-Office software. Yield data stored on the FmX display can easily … Read More