PrecisionAg Award Nominations Needed

Cindy ZimmermanGeneral

The PrecisionAg Award of Excellence program is still accepting nominations for “the most important people and programs that have helped agriculture realize the full benefits of technology to improve agronomy, efficiency, and stewardship in crop production.”

The awards are given in the following categories:

• Educator/Researcher Of The Year
• Legacy Award
• Crop Adviser/Entrepreneur Of The Year
• Farmer Of The Year

Award nominations must be submitted by a sponsor — any individual or individuals, company, or organization. Nominees can be working with precision technology anywhere in the world. Nominations can be made electronically or via downloadable entry form. Entries will be reviewed and scored by a three-judge panel based on the criteria indicated on the nomination forms. Winners will be invited to attend a special ceremony in their honor at the International Conference on Precision Agriculture, Denver, CO, July 18-21, 2010.

Deadline for entries is May 7. More information is available from PrecisionAg here.

Ag Leader SMS Software Adds Efficiencies

Kurt LawtonAg Leader, Insights Weekly, Software

Insights WeeklyTurning collected precision farming data into useful information continues to get easier, more automated and more user friendly. To that end, Ag Leader Technology’s latest upgrade to its SMS Advanced and Basic software packages continues to achieve those improvement goals.

“Now entering our tenth year of continual improvements to our SMS software, customers will find everything from major interface enhancements to faster processing speeds in version 10.0,” says Corey Weddle, Director of Software Solutions.

For SMS Advanced users who are into writing variable-rate prescriptions using equations, numerous improvements were made to help customers learn how to build them. “We basically gutted parts of our Analysis functionality to make it easier to use and understand–despite the complexities of analysis in general. For example the Equation Based Analysis function (see screen example below), often used to build prescription equations, now has automated logic that will insert the proper formatting for parts of the equation. Users no longer have to build it from scratch,” he says.

Retailers and consultants will find it easier and faster to batch process data, as well as generate prescriptions for multiple products from a single equation function (i.e. DAP, Potash, Lime prescriptions from one saved equation analysis). “These changes will save a lot of time and manpower because we have streamlined the process to complete more complex equations—at greatly increased processing speeds, up to 50 times greater in some cases,” Weddle adds.

For SMS Basic (also in Advanced, too), customers will find improved scouting capabilities. “Instead of separate reports by pest or disease or weed issue, our new dedicated scouting report combines maps, images and a summary by field in one report—either in detailed or summary format. You can enter scouting data by hand, or collect data using SMS Mobile and sync to your SMS Advanced or Basic software to quickly and easily produce reports,” he says.

Search capabilities have also been enhanced, especially helpful if you cannot remember how you named an entry or where you saved it in the software. Weddle explains, “With the vast amount of data that growers are collecting, some with 10 to 15 years of information, we’ve added the ability to search by text to make it easier to find specific data. Just start typing a word like ‘Roundup’ in an available search box and you’ll get a list of all the items that match what you typed. Obviously a huge help when you have so much information to manage.”

Other interesting enhancements/additions to v10 include:

  • New tool added to help easily build partial buffer zones in fields.
  • Export guidance lines from SMS to AutoFarm A5 monitor.
  • Improved speed and accuracy of guidance lines created from a field boundary or a manually drawn area.
  • New guidance attributes that allow you to easily display detailed information about your imported/created guidance lines.

These improvements, and numerous others, will be available soon. For more information visit these links.

SMS Software
http://www.agleader.com/products/software/

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

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

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

Ag Leader Technology
http://www.agleader.com/

AutoFarm Launches Affordable Easy Steering

Kurt LawtonCompany Announcement, Equipment, GPS, Guidance

For growers who seek the basics in assisted steering with the ability to work their way into it should check out the new OnTrac2 and the ParaDyme roof module from AutoFarm.

OnTrac2 gives affordable, easy-to-install, hands-free GPS steering with unmatched portability across vehicle types. Coupled with the new ParaDyme Roof Module, it offers superior assisted steering that can run on WAAS, OmniSTAR, or RTK. With AutoFarm’s RTK ReadyConnect option it can get RTK correction without a base station running on a CORS network.

Operating with any of AutoFarm’s three available touchscreen controllers, OnTrac2 is a cost-effective solution to hands-free steering that eliminates skips and overlaps, lowers fuel consumption, reduces operator stress and fatigue, and expands the seasonal operating window. The system offers pass-to-pass accuracy ranges of 8-10” on WAAS, 3-6” with OmniSTAR and 1-2” with the RTK upgrade.

The ParaDyme System is the industry’s first single system solution to all facets of precision farming: planter control, application control, yield monitoring, data logging and management, plus hands-free GPS steering via WAAS, EGNOS, OmniSTAR HP/XP, and RTK. It is also GLONASS ready. Plus, with its unique factory-integrated wireless, ParaDyme offers a Remote Real-Time Service connection to the dealer in addition to optional RTK ReadyConnect that provides RTK correction without a base station.

The company also recently announced that Paradyme is now installable on virtually all brands of farm machinery, and talked about how the system offers a unique AutoCalibration feature that gets you set up in less than 10 minutes.

For more information on the AutoFarm OnTrac2 System with ParaDyme, visit www.gpsfarm.com.

Precision Agriculture Blogging in Alabama

Kurt LawtonEducation, GPS, Guidance, Planting, Research, Resources, Satellite, Software, Spraying, sustainability

I have not met a grower involved in precision agriculture that doesn’t love, no crave, more information on the subject. To this end, check out the very good Precision Ag Blog, compiled and written by various extension pros in the Alabama Cooperative Extension System.

Recent blog posts talk about variable rate (VR) seeding, VR calibration, data management, data collection with cellular modems, the value of on-the-go nitrogen sensors, firmware upgrades and much more.

The blog site also categorizes posts into topics to help you sort for exactly the info you seek.

Value of Soil and Crop Sensing

Kurt LawtonAerial Imagery, Fertilizer, GPS, Remote sensing, Retailers, Satellite

As planters continue to roll across the Midwest, most farmers are thinking about what’s next. One component of precision farming you may want to try is the use of crop sensing. Why? Because this is the future that will help overcome field variability–from helping create optimum field management zones to monitoring crops so growers can take action before yield-robbing stress occurs.

One good overview of this science, published in 2003 by USDA-ARS scientists from across the country, will help you grasp the realties and benefits that can be achieved. And the technology has dramatically improved since this was written.

One independent agronomic guru who is a favorite of mine (and I’ve quoted many over the years in farm magazine articles) in Tom McGraw, owner of Midwest Independent Soil Samplers (MISS). Tom calls a spade a spade, and offers some excellent advice, which he gives in his newsletter, on their website, and especially to customers.

Bottom line is you should consider examining one field, perhaps your toughest most variable ground, to see what you can learn and improve upon with this sensing technology. Talk to your local retailer to understand their capabilities, or contact one of the four MISS locations.

Precision Soil Sampling Saves Money

Kurt LawtonConservation, Corn, Farmers, Fertilizer, sustainability

Precision farming techniques are driving growth in soil sampling say Midwest soil labs, according to a report in Midwest Producer.

“At the peak of the season we’ll test 20,000 samples each day,” says Kennard Pohlman of Omaha’s Midwest Labs. “We always test the organic matter in the sample and the pH. You want to verify the nitrogen carryover and the level of phosphorus, potassium, sulfur and zinc. I can almost tell you, by looking at the soil sample results, what the farmer has been doing in the past and how good the farm is. That’s how much information is available in a soil sample.”

Grid sampling is Oldham’s specialty and he said a growing number of producers, especially those growing corn, are realizing the benefit of managing input costs and improving yields by testing their soil quality in single or multiple-acre grids.

“Sometimes producers believe the cost of sampling is greater than the cost savings or increased yield they see,” Oldham said. “Actually, the investment in the sampling analysis generally isn’t even recognizable in contrast to the combination of savings on inputs and the increased yield. If you’re analyzing just a few samples from your field, you obtain information about the averages in soil quality for that field. Getting samples from every 2.5 acres or less really allows you to combine that information with a variable rate prescription that allows for the best management of inputs and maximizes yield.”

For more details, read the story.

Farmers Using Social Media Form AgChat Foundation

Kurt LawtonEducation, Farmers, sustainability

Precision communications to consumers is every bit as important as your precision farming. Check out how these farmers are joining together to help other farmers like you communicate your story.

Twitter. Facebook. YouTube. LinkedIn. More frequently, these are services being accessed from the turnrow, tractor’s seat and barn. Farmers are tapping into social media services more frequently, especially since the weekly streaming conversation called AgChat was founded on Twitter last year. As many offices closed Friday for holidays, farmers launched the AgChat Foundation online. Hundreds of people talked about the new website and the mission to empower farmers and ranchers to connect communities through social media platforms.

Farmers Jeff Fowle of California, Darin Grimm of Kansas, Mike Haley of Ohio and Ray Prock of California were strangers a year ago. They built friendships and began doing things that supported each other’s farming segments after meeting in the online AgChat discussion.

“I’d say the effort Ray and I spearheaded to raise awareness in the economic crisis for dairy farms was where we began to realize how well we could do in telling our stories online. It’s also the first time some of us really focused toward a common goal,” Haley explains. “We think AgChat Foundation will help other farmers share their experiences as we learn from each other about how to put the true faces and stories of American agriculture.”

Prock explains, “We’ve had these ideas and after tossing them around for months, all of us agreed, if farmers didn’t take ownership for moving this forward, we couldn’t really expect anyone else to. And as we worked on our ideas, a number of others have offered suggestions and a lot of time of their personal time to help us realize this vision.”

The Foundation has four program areas focused on social media:
• Agvocacy 2.0 Training: Educate farmers through basic, mid-level & expert training to move mindsets up the technology ladder.
• Strategic Agvocacy Coordination: Empower agriculture’s voice through coordinated industry-wide efforts.
• Data Analysis: Provide tools to assist agvocates with targeted community efforts.
• Technology Scholarships: Equip farmers with infrastructure to enable full use of social media.

Each of the founding farmers believe in these four areas and social media so deeply, they each have elaborated on them by shooting videos that can be accessed through the Foundation’s new website http://agchat.org, by going to http://youtube.com/agchat or through the links above.

Fowle points out that the programs are meant to be broad. “It becomes very apparent through social media that there is a great diversity of farm stories. My family runs our ranch one way and we may have a neighbor across the valley that makes very different choices. The real value of social media comes from farmers telling their own story from their own perspective.”

Michele Payn-Knoper admits that when she started AgChat a year ago, she had no idea how quickly it would grow. “The talent and dedication the farmers and ranchers who helped bring the AgChat Foundation to fruition is absolutely inspiring. All of them have applied their technology skills and commitment to the betterment of agriculture in ways that set them apart, but we are all confident this is a common thread among farmers who raise our food, fuel, feed and fiber.”

Volunteers have been part of AgChat on twitter for a long time, providing moderation of discussions, etc and adopting more ways to reach out to both members of the ag community and the general public as well.

Even Grimm finds himself amplifying their voice online. “My friends and family would be surprised about how vocal I’ve become online cause I’m somewhat of an introvert, but I’ve seen a lot of power from farmers sharing their stories and am trying to do the same. Most of us think our story is pretty boring but you find that some of the most common things we do on the farm are some of the most interesting to people in cities and suburbs.”

Data shows that almost 300 people sent messages on Twitter Friday and driving more than 1,500 people to access AgChat.org and reaching almost a quarter of a million people in the 1.4 million impressions.

The AgChat Foundation seeks to involve all sectors of agriculture in this effort, encompassing diverse viewpoints such as conventional, organic, small and large operations. Our focus is to bring agriculture together, rather than segment and diminish our industry by focusing on size, region or production differences. The board of directors of farming represents diverse types of family farms across North America.
• Chris Chinn, Farmer
• Jeff Fowle, Rancher
• Mark Gale, Agribusiness Liaison
• Eliz Greene, Consumer & Healthcare
• Darin Grimm, Farmer
• Mike Haley, Farmer
• Shaun Haney, Seedsman
• Michele Payn-Knoper, #AgChat Founder
• Ray Prock, Farmer
• Dr. Chris Raines, Extension
• Dr. Katherine Swift, Veterinarian
• Tricia Braid Terry, Check-off Representative
• Chuck Zimmerman, Agribusiness Liaison

The advisory committee provides perspective from agricultural organizations, farms, consumers and technology experts. The AgChat Foundation is a registered Indiana non-profit seeking 501(c)(3) status. The Board of Directors maintains all fiduciary responsibilities and oversees the programming.

Calibrate For Variable-rate Precision Farming Success

Kurt LawtonGeneral

Insights WeeklyLast week I talked about the importance of planter calibration when using variable-rate technology. This week, I spoke with Nick Ohrtman, Ag Leader’s Tech Support Supervisor about fertilizer spreader calibration.

precision.agwired.com: How important is calibration of precision farming equipment when using it on a fertilizer spreader?

Ohrtman: As I mentioned last week, Ag Leader products have a calibration wizard that goes through the calibration process step-by-step, but if you are not using an Ag Leader product, make sure to consult your owner’s manual for additional tips and information. When performing the calibration it is essential to correctly enter the “Product Density” into your display. The calibration wizard allows the spreader to dispense a desired amount of product.

Once the product has been dispensed into a “catch”, you then weigh the actual product and enter that number into the display. Once the desired amount of product and the actual amount of product have been entered, the display will then adjust the cubic feet per revolution. It is important to do this calibration for each product because not all products flow through the feed gate the same way.

Not calibrating could lead to applying too much or not enough product in the field. Unlike a planter where you have sensors to confirm what your hydraulic drive is doing, there is no such “double check” on a spinner spreader, making calibration an even more important step.

precision.agwired.com: What are some things users can look for as a sign of calibration problems?

Ohrtman: The best way to make sure that things are working properly is to create a new region for each load. Compare what the display says with your weigh ticket after that load has been applied. If the numbers match up, you know the display is dispensing the desired amount of product.

precision.agwired.com: Can you save settings for future calibrations?

Ohrtman: Just as in planting, all calibration and product density settings are saved on a per-product basis until you change them. Once a calibration has been completed for a product, it should not have to be changed. With that said, it’s still a good idea to do a test calibration each year, especially if any work has been done on the machine itself.

precision.agwired.com: Is there anything else users should know?

Ohrtman: A good check when going through the season is to continually compare scale tickets to your display readings. If the weight of the load is the same as the display indicates has been applied, application is working properly.

As always, consult your owner’s manual for information on proper calibration of equipment. http://www.agleader.com/

Test Your Corn Planting Populations

Kurt LawtonCorn, Planting, Research, seed, University

If you’re looking to experiment with corn planting populations yet this spring, check out a very good paper on plant population compiled by South Dakota State University researchers Gregg Carlson, Paul Gaspar and David Clay.

Many agronomists and producers conduct experiments that test the impact of rates of fertilizer, population, or pesticide on yield. To analyze this data we need to conduct a yield response analysis. Agronomists and or producers that understand yield response and how to use yield response to determine the point of optimum economic return will be able to make better management decisions. The point of optimum economic return is determined by:
1. Conducting a yield response experiment
2. Converting the yield response data to a functional relationship,
outputcorn yield = f(input the plant population)
3. Using calculus to determine where the change in the value of the input equals the change in the value of the output.
In site-specific farming, scientists have found that yield response relationships may change spatially and temporally.

To learn more, read the paper “Using Yield Response Analysis to Calculate an Optimum Plant Population“.

Precision Farming By The Zone

Kurt LawtonConservation, Corn, Farmers, Fertilizer, John Deere, Planting, seed, sustainability

The Furrow magazine, produced by John Deere, profiled several growers on their use of precision farming management zones in a story called “Farming In The Zone” in their March 2010 issue.

Broadwater, Neb., grower Frank Lussetto says zone management helped him accomplish three broad goals of being agronomically sound, economically smart and environmentally safe. He uses zone maps for phosphorous, nitrogen and seeding rates, grouping six to eight soil types in a field into three to five zones. And he used elevation and electrical conductivity as the primary drivers in zone development.

The story also featured Enterprise, Kan., farmer Larry Hottman and his use of zones, derived more prominently from yield maps collected since 1998. He too used electrical conductivity readings to map soil properties along with grid soil sampling.

University of Nebraska agronomist Richard Ferguson says they are seeing a $26 per acre benefit using site-specific nitrogen application and zone management.

For more details, read the story.