The Blog

The Precision in Practice column brings you the latest reports from producers across North America who have put precision farming into practice in their own operations. Visit this column regularly to see what your neighbors are saying about precision farming and how they use it on their farms.

Short broadcast interviews with these and other producers can be found in the Precision Ag Minute archives.

Brian Allenbaugh
5,000 acres of rice, corn, milo, wheat, beans
Augusta, Ark.
John Deere components used: Mapping, AutoTrac

Q: How do precision ag products benefit your operation?
A: We were early adopters of GPS systems and have been using them for about 11 years now. Over the years, we’ve seen significant improvements in guidance packages. They are easier to use and there are more things to use them on. The mobility to move them from tractor to tractor is really amazing. Next year, we’re looking at incorporating aerial photography and soil maps.

Q: What are the cost savings to owning precision ag products?
A: The mapping function allows us to analyze acres down to a “T”. We start planning for the next year immediately when we get off the combine. In the winter, it enables me to set a game plan for the next year for each field.

The AutoTrac system enables me to save on fuel, chemicals, seed and time. I was skeptical about the accuracy when we first investigated the system, but I’d hate to go without it now that I have it.

I use the John Deere system on my 1780 planter and 4700 sprayer. AutoTrac pencils out – it more than pays for itself. Growers can save money on about anything you hook up to your precision ag system.

The Precision in Practice column brings you the latest reports from producers across North America who have put precision farming into practice in their own operations. Visit this column regularly to see what your neighbors are saying about precision farming and how they use it on their farms.

Short broadcast interviews with these and other producers can be found in the Precision Ag Minute archives.

Burt Heinrich
Stripper Cotton
Lorenzo, Texas
John Deere components used: AutoTrac, Swath Control

Q: How do you use precision ag?
A: We use AutoTrac for drip irrigation – it’s important that we stay right on the rows and replicate them each year as to maximize water use. We need to be right on the money and this system allows us to do that. If one row gets too close to the underground tape, the water distribution is uneven and I end up with one row of smaller cotton.

We also recently started mapping our fields. I’ve got a good lister, but it’s still hard to put a perfect print over something that’s “not” perfect. But the mapping systems are making it easy.

Q: What are the benefits to owning a John Deere system?
A: We are able to operate more hours and run through the night. We have also put an inexperienced Texas Tech employee to work who had about 100 hours on a tractor. This would’ve been unheard of had we not had the AutoTrac guidance system. Also, our labor and chemical costs have gone down considerably. In today’s time in agriculture, efficiency is a BIG word. I feel that whatever this is costing me, I’m getting more than that back.

Q: How do you use Swath Control?
A: We operate a 24-row boom system with swath control to regulate the boom spray. This makes our sprayer more efficient with no double spraying. All I have to worry about it not hitting posts and turning around right. I guarantee it – it helps you get more done in an hour.

The Precision in Practice column brings you the latest reports from producers across North America who have put precision farming into practice in their own operations. Visit this column regularly to see what your neighbors are saying about precision farming and how they use it on their farms.

Short broadcast interviews with these and other producers can be found in the Precision Ag Minute archives.

John Hussey
4,500 acres of grain
Windfall, Indiana
John Deere components used: Mapping, 2600 Apex system, AutoTrac

Q: When do you use your precision ag products?
A: We use them throughout the season – during planting, spraying and harvest. The systems are farmer-friendly and take the fatigue out of driving.

Q: What are the cost benefits to owning the John Deere system?
A: When you compare what it costs to the tools you get, the system gives you the confidence you need that your farming operation IS working better. Precision ag gives me benefits that I didn’t have prior to owning the system and those benefits far outweigh the expense of the purchase cost.

Q: Explain the primary benefits you’ve experienced during each stage of the season.
A: Planting – AutoTrac reduces the wear and tear on your body. You also don’t have wide and narrow gaps as if you planted with a guide marker because each round is exactly the same.

Spraying – No overlap is a tremendous asset. Using foam markers, it’s virtually impossible to see 45-60 foot to one side without overlapping or leaving a gap. Using precision ag, you don’t overlap at all.

Harvest (9760 John Deere combine) – Once you set you’re A/B line, you can harvest all the way across the field – you can skip over 400 feet and have the same width to finish with no gaps. Our biggest benefit is with soybeans because of the relaxation of the operator to scan the ground and look for obstacles in the field you don’t want to run thru your machine.