Precision Pays

Wheat Growers has purchased MZB Technologies, a precision agronomy company based in Watertown, S.D. Wheat Growers has been using MZB Technologies as their exclusive precision ag software since 2002.

The MZB Precision Farming System delivers a patented, zone-based, precision farming system that delivers multi-layer field management for site-specific application of agricultural inputs. MZB offers two service options:
• The MZB Precision Farming System creates up to 12 individually sampled management zones per field. Farmers can variably manage mobile and immobile nutrients and seed populations.
• MZB Lite offers up to four individually sampled management zones per field with the same capabilities.

MZB provides a field data collection service as well as a software package to manage the collected data, based on a combination of Veris EC information, RTK elevation readings and satellite imagery. From the data, a farmer’s field is then sub-divided into “zones,” which is why the service is called Management Zone Based (MZB). The zones range from 10 to 15 acres in size and are individually soil sampled and managed according to the specific deficiencies or needs in that zone. MZB employees collect the data and an MZB Precision Farming Retailer manages the data with MZB Tools software. No other system offers the same valuable, easy-to-use combination of field detail, data management and real-time communication between growers, agronomists, applicators, dispatchers, field scouts and soil testers.

BRANDT announced Precision Tank & Equipment Company will join the No. 31 BRANDT Chevrolet, driven by championship contender Justin Allgaier. Precision Tank and Equipment (PT&E) is the first to join BRANDT as part of effort to represent the various aspects of agriculture through its marketing initiative in the NASCAR Nationwide Series. PT&E is a leader in agriculture, fire, municipal and vacuum related tank equipment using fiberglass, stainless steel and mild steel materials.

In 2012, BRANDT will work with other agricultural organizations to put an “all agriculture” car on the track, helping to spotlight the hard work and dedication that makes agriculture a leading global industry.

BRANDT President and CEO, Rick C. Brandt, is thrilled to have Precision Tank & Equipment as part of the #31 Ag Car for the 2012 season.

**UPDATED with audio and video from National Farm Machinery Show**

Ag Leader Technology is excited to announce the INTEGRA™ display will soon feature planter down force monitor and control capability, allowing the display to monitor and adjust down force based on field and soil conditions. Planting seed at the optimum row unit down force is an important factor in good crop germination, and ultimately, yield.

The heart of the system is a hydraulic down force actuator (as compared to other pneumatic airbag systems), engineered by Dawn Equipment. The actuator is the fastest on the market, allowing the INTEGRA display to make quick row unit down force adjustments.

Ag Leader was giving growers a preview of the new system at the National Farm Machinery Show this week, where we spoke with Russ Morman about when it will be available, how it works, and the benefits for growers. “The adjustments we’re going to be able to make to our down pressure will be a lot quicker than the other systems on the market and this being a metal system rather than an air bag it won’t have the risk of puncturing,” said Russ.

Listen to Russ explain the new system here: Interview with Russ Morman

Watch Russ do a little video demo at NFMS here:

2012 National Farm Machinery Show Photo Album

Read the rest of this post…

Vermeer Corporation introduces the newest partner in its forage product line with Vermeer brand netwrap – Vermeer™ Net, available for 4’ and 5’ balers, and Rebel™ net, designed for Vermeer Rebel® Series Balers. Featuring superior net strength for ultimate bale protection, Vermeer brand netwrap is produced in a unique green, black and white color scheme for easy identification of the Vermeer quality.

Vermeer brand netwrap is produced with heavy-duty HDPE for a stronger tape than standard netwrap, and both Vermeer Net and Rebel Net offer optimum net spread to cover square shouldered bales with little net stretch, improving bale appearance. Vermeer Net and Rebel Net offer convenient features to help producers improve efficiency. Handgrips on the Vermeer Net packaging provide for easier handling, and the smaller roll length and weight of the Rebel Net makes loading and unloading easier.

Vermeer Net is offered in a variety of lengths and is suitable for most round balers in today’s marketplace. Visit your local Vermeer dealer for more details.

Ag Leader Technology is proud to announce the release of SMS Basic/Advanced Version 11.6. To update your SMS Basic/Advanced Software, please follow these steps:

• Open the SMS Software
• Create a Backup by clicking on the Services menu and selecting Backup/Restore Project(s)
Ag Leader strongly recommends that you create a backup of SMS before starting the update. This will ensure that if the upgrade process fails you can restore your system back to the point before you installed the update.
• If you are a SMS Advanced user, you will need to verify that all projects are checked-in. To verify this, go to the File menu and select Projects.
• Click on the Help menu and select Check for Updates
The Check for Updates tool will check for and download the most recent version of the SMS Software. This step requires an active internet connection.
• Continue by clicking Next through the wizard that appears
If registered online, the SMS Software will automatically be unlocked after installing the updated version.

For new version details and features see the Maintenance Release Letter for SMS Basic/Advanced Version 11.6.

To download the full Release Notes for SMS Basic/Advanced, click here.

If you have any questions about the update process please contact Technical Support at (515)232-5363 or by email at SMSsupport@agleader.com.

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.

You’ve heard the saying “don’t put all of your eggs in one basket.” If you’re a grower during planting season, that means it’s smart to plant several different varieties/hybrids so you can reduce your risk of poor performance by a single seed type. That’s called genetic diversity. But have you ever thought about how switching between one seed type and another might impact your planting operation “in the trenches”?

In many cases, when you switch to a different hybrid or variety, you’re also switching seed size. That may mean you need to adjust your seed meters so you don’t get skips and doubles.

SeedCommand’s Advanced Seed Monitoring feature helps you determine if you need to make adjustments to your meters. Its virtual seed trench lets you see the placement of each seed in a row so you can easily determine if a problem exists in the seed meter or seed tube. And, while monitoring population is great, if your planter monitor doesn’t allow you to see skips and doubles by row unit, you could have the right seed population – but the wrong seed spacing – which can also reduce yield.

Because today’s high-tech seed isn’t cheap, it’s just smart to increase your yield potential by ensuring seed spacing is consistent across your field, row-by-row even after you’ve switched to a different seed type.

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.

Are you interested in getting the latest information about precision ag equipment? If so, here are a few stops you might want to schedule this winter in order to talk with Ag Leader experts:

• Iowa Power Farming Show – Des Moines, IA; Jan. 31-Feb. 2
• Cotton & Rice Conference –Tunica, MS; Jan. 31-Feb. 1
• Southern Farm Show – Raleigh, NC; Feb. 1-3
• Spokane Ag Expo – Spokane, WA; Feb. 7-9
• World Ag Expo – Tulare, CA; Feb. 14-16
• National Farm Machinery Show – Louisville, KY; Feb. 15-18
• Precision Ag 2.0 – Calgary AB; Feb. 22-23
• New York Farm Show – Syracuse, NY; Feb. 23-25
• Western Farm Show – Kansas City, KS; Feb. 24-26
• Hawkeye Farm Show – Cedar Falls, IA; Feb. 28-March 1
• Triumph of Ag Expo – Omaha, NE; Feb. 29-March 1

If you’re on the road next month and have time to visit one of these locations, be sure to find Ag Leader’s staff of experts who will be on hand to talk about the latest in precision technology equipment, enhancements, future products, and much more.

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.

See you at the show!

Last week, we heard from Todd Reed, farmer from Waverly, Neb., who works as a precision ag consultant for his family’s dryland corn and soybean farm. He spends his days writing variable rate planting prescriptions and fertilizer prescriptions using Ag Leader’s SMS Software.

Today’s high-tech seed isn’t cheap. If you’re not controlling where and how much of each type of seed you plant, you’re probably sacrificing yield potential and bottom line performance. Ag Leader’s Integra display features Advanced Seed Monitoring to help growers lower seed cost during planting season and improve yield potential at harvest time. Todd says they run 16-row planters and with seed shut-off, saw a big increase in seed savings. Listen to Reed explain

Todd says they’re trying to be more efficient in everything they do on the farm and nitrogen application is key. Part of his passion is analyzing the data in order to fine-tune each hybrid they plant based on yields and nitrogen application rates from the previous fall. Listen to Reed explain

Continue to check back to the blog prior to planting season for more great tips and information on Advanced Seed Monitoring through the Integra display.

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.

Trimble announced a strategic alliance with Great American Insurance Group to help farmers automate their crop insurance reporting under the USDA Federal Crop Insurance Program. The new recordkeeping system makes it possible for Farm Works™ users to submit their crop insurance records electronically to Great American Insurance Group. The time-saving solution makes it simple for farmers to transfer planting and harvest data directly to the Great American Insurance Group systems from their Farm Works Mapping software.

In 2011 the USDA Federal Crop Insurance Program, administered by the Risk Management Agency, began accepting precision agricultural data which meets the specific requirements listed in RMA’s Crop Insurance Handbook and/or Loss adjustment Manual. The new reporting system will help farmers more quickly, easily and accurately meet USDA requirements related to acreage, planting and harvest. Geo-referenced data may be collected from the tractor or combine cab with a compatible precision farming display such as the Trimble® FmX® integrated display or CFX-750™ touch screen.

Terry Griffin, PhD, has joined CrescoAg LLC as Vice President – Applied Economics. Griffin will join the company focused on developing new products that will help farmers utilize existing data from yield monitors and other precision ag equipment to make better decisions for their operations.

Griffin joins CrescoAg from the University of Arkansas where he was a professor of row crops economics, extension specialist and team coordinator of the Working Group on Precision Agriculture. Terry specialized in utilizing spatial technologies to improve agricultural production systems and quality of farm life. He also served as farm management and spatial technologies specialist for the University of Illinois Extension.

He earned his bachelor’s degree in agronomy and master’s degree in agricultural economics from the University of Arkansas, and his Ph.D. in agricultural economics with emphases in farm management, production economics, and spatial economics from Purdue University. While at Purdue, he coordinated the Top Farmer Crop Workshop and organized the whole-farm linear programming service and introduced the service of yield monitor data analysis to participants.

Griffin is a certified crop advisor (CCA), member of the American Society of Farm Managers and Rural Appraisers, and a charter member of the International Society of Precision Agriculture. He received the 2010 PrecisionAg Awards of Excellence for Researcher/Educator from Meister Media, and was the 2002 National Winner of the NASA GIS and Remote Sensing Decision Support Seminar and the 2003 National Winner of the NASA Excellence Award in Remote Sensing and Precision Agriculture.

A Precision Planting product has won the No-Till Product of the Year award for the third straight year. No-Till Farmer readers selected the 20/20 SeedSense/AirForce system as the best product of 2011, following on the heels of No-Till Product of the Year wins by Precision Planting’s Keeton Seed Firmer in 2009 and 2010.

The 20/20 SeedSense/AirForce system was also voted the top no-till product in the Precision Tools category, and was among 11 finalists entered in the overall Product of the Year voting.

Manufacturers whose products were voted the best in 11 individual categories were recognized before about 750 no-tillers at a special luncheon awards ceremony during the 20th annual National No-Tillage Conference in St. Louis, Mo. They were also recognized in the Winter 2012 issue of No-Till Farmer’s Conservation Tillage Guide.

A call for nominations for the 2012 program, as well as voting, will be announced later this year.

Todd Reed grew up on his family’s turkey farm near Waverly, Neb. He started working part-time during the school year in 1998 and began full-time on the farm with his two second cousins and their fathers in 2005. He studied Mechanized Systems Management at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln and went on to earn his Master’s Degree in the same field with an emphasis on precision agriculture and variable rate systems.

He currently does precision ag consulting for his family’s dryland corn and soybean rotation farm, writing variable rate planting prescriptions and fertilizer prescriptions to yield analysis, using Ag Leader’s SMS Software. Though he doesn’t own or rent any land of his own, he plays a vital role in the farm’s management decisions regarding data analysis and field-level research in terms of breaking down yield by hybrid by soil type, by field, by population, by nitrogen rate – to evaluate the decisions the farm makes.

He explains how they entered the world of precision ag. Listen to Reed explain

Todd says precision agriculture is vital to their operation and explains what kind of return they saw on their investment the first year. Listen to Reed explain

He says the technology allows them to reduce overlap, reduce driver fatigue, reduce injury to the crops and save on chemical application. Tune in again next week as we hear more from Todd about the benefits to precision agriculture products from Ag Leader.

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.

NovAtel Inc. and Stara S.A. Industria de Implementos Agricolas are pleased to announce a new strategic partnership that will see NovAtel’s industry leading Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) positioning technology integrated into Stara’s comprehensive line of precision agricultural products. The convergence of these two world leading manufacturers is expected to deliver a new level of accuracy and reliability to Brazilian farmers, and to other users around the world who already enjoy Stara’s superior precision farming technology.

According to research by the Center for Food Integrity, in 1950, the U.S. population was 154 million, there were 5.6 million farms and one farmer produced enough to feed 30 people. In 2010, the U.S. population was 308 million, there were only 2 million farms and one farmer produced enough to feed 155 people.

Global population increases by 75.4 million annually. In 40 years, the world will need 100 percent more food than we produce today. So how do we feed all 9.3 billion people in the world by 2050? According to Hartwig de Haen/UN FAO, 80 percent of future production growth must come from increased yields or the responsible use of innovation and technology.

“…The world has the technology to feed, on a sustainable basis, 10 billion people. The pertinent question today is whether farmers and ranchers will be permitted to use this technology.”
— Norman Borlaug, 2000

In order to keep up with this growing world, advancements have been made to give farmers and ranchers the technology they need to be sustainable, make a living AND feed the world. Ag Leader Technology is helping farmers use precision farming equipment to boost crop yields, reduce waste and have better seed and production applications, all-the-while leaving a smaller environmental footprint.

Some are suggesting we turn back the clock … that we produce food using farming methods from the “good old days.” But is this the ethical choice? If the U.S. today relied on the farmers of 1950 to produce their food, 151 million people would go hungry. That is the combined populations of the nine largest states in the U.S. (California, Texas, New York, Florida, Illinois, Pennsylvania, Ohio, Michigan and Georgia).

By the time tomorrow rolls around, global population will have increased the size of another Philadelphia – 206,500 people. Are we really willing to NOT utilize the technology we have in order to feed the world?

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.

The Nebraska Agricultural Technologies Association Conference and Trade Show will be held Feb. 1-2 in Grand Island, Neb.

Many agriculturists contend that variable rate (VR) technologies and techniques are the next significant step in precision agriculture. This symposium offers a collection of VR topics taught by experts from the private and public sector. A fast-paced approach of 30-minute presentations combined with plenty of time for discussion and debate promise to make this a dynamic learning opportunity.

Here are some of the conference highlights:
- Variable Rate Technologies and Techniques Symposium
- Nutrient Management: Now and in the Future
- An Overview of Today’s Precision Agriculture Topics and Issues
- Employing Precision ag Technologies to Attain Record Corn Yields
- A Vision for Nebraska’s Innovation Campus
- LightSquared Impact on the Agricultural Sector
- Clouds on the Horizon: How Developments in iT as-a-serve Technologies Might Impact Rural America

Click here for the full schedule and conference registration form.