Precision Pays

TeeJet now offer two new solutions for ISOBUS sprayer control for owners of factory-installed virtual terminals, or for operators who require a complete system including a virtual terminal.

The TeeJet ISOBUS Sprayer System uses a John Deere, CASE IH or AGCO virtual terminal.  The kit includes the IC18 ISOBUS Sprayer Electronic Control Unit (ECU), BoomPilot automatic boom section control module, a switch box and all cable and connection to operate on Deere, CASE IH or AGCO virtual terminals. The IC18 Sprayer ECU has an intuitive interface with advanced features such as multiple rate selection, section status and task control for prescription applications.  The IC18 and BoomPilot can automatically control up to 9 sprayer sections.

TeeJet Technologies also offers a sprayer control solution that includes the components noted above plus the new Matrix 570VT interface. Matrix 570VT features a bright 5.7” touch screen suitable for daylight and nighttime viewing and can be used with other ISOBUS-compatible ECUs in addition to the IC18.

“We’re fully committed to the ISOBUS standard and want to help as many growers as possible experience the benefits of it,” said Jim Shone, Business Unit Manager at TeeJet Technologies. “Most growers don’t yet own a virtual terminal and will find our Matrix 570VT ISOBUS Sprayer System an affordable way to take full advantage of the ISOBUS platform. For the operators that do have a virtual terminal, our ISOBUS components are an economical way to leverage their current investment,” Shone continued.

TeeJet Technologies was among the first to sell ISOBUS compatible products in North America. ISOBUS job computers and controls have been in the field the last two growing seasons, and product line expansion is underway.

In 2001, farm machinery manufacturers agreed to implement a common standard for communication interfaces on tractors, implements and farm management systems. The standard is called ISO 11783 and is commonly referred to as ISOBUS.

The common standard enables products from different manufacturers to communicate and eliminates the need for separate terminals, displays and controls. Once ISOBUS is fully implemented, tractors will have a single virtual terminal in the cab.

A virtual terminal is the device that allows the operator to provide input information. An Electronic Control Unit (ECU), also known as a job computer, installed on the implement is where processing and control occurs.

Certified ISOBUS virtual terminals and ECUs will communicate and function on the same communication BUS, regardless of the manufacturer.

ISOBUS benefits:

• Operators can leverage their investment on factory installed terminals instead of having several controller consoles.
• Implements with certified ISOBUS ECUs give operators the flexibility to choose the best products for their applications without concerns about compatibility.
• Standardized plugs, cables and software simplify installation and connectivity and result in true “plug and play” technology.  Operators can operate multiple implements with any tractor in their fleet.
• Data from the ECU can be easily exported and analyzed on the farm computer.

Listen to an interview with TeeJet technology specialist Jon Reinecker conducted at the National Farm Machinery Show by Agwired reporter John Davis:

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

The fight for space in the tractor/sprayer/combine cab continues, especially as more and more precision farming capabilities are added to an operation.

Clutter has happened for a variety of reasons. From anxious early adopter growers buying numerous early controllers, to anxious dealers selling the latest equipment without regard to grower needs, to growers not thinking about longer term needs.

Paul Bruns, who runs a precision agriculture company called Precision Consulting Services in Canby, Minn., says cab clutter consolidation is a huge topic of conversation right now. “I’ve got a lot of customers looking into moving their planter monitor display, lightbar, variable-rate controller and more—consolidating them into one screen. This can be done, but you need to do your research to learn what monitors can and cannot do, or find a trusted, reliable dealer/consultant who knows a lot of equipment,” he says.

“With the new age of monitors, you’ll be hard pressed to find a display for less than $5000. So it pays to really think what types of applications you may want to do in the future. For example, I was recently installing a boom shutoff system for a grower, and he happened to say ‘I’d really like to consider putting clutches on the planter’ so I stopped and told him we may want to go in a different direction, especially if you may want to vary the rates down the road,” he says.

Bruns, An Ag Leader and Trimble dealer who has grown his business because he does help growers to think and plan ahead, saves money in the long run for his clients. “As in this case, it was better to spend $1,000 or $2,000 more today, than have to spend an additional $5000 down the road.” He says there’s not enough consultative selling going on among retailers to learn a grower’s long-term plans, or to help them with those decisions. “Some just sell what the grower wants today.”

Knowing the agronomic side (he also writes fertilizer prescriptions), along with his ability to service most equipment on the precision ag market—as well as sell seed for Pioneer—gives Bruns a broad perspective. “The challenge is finding the best fit for every grower, as well as advising them on what’s going to deliver ROI,” he says.

“One of the reasons I have sold many Insight monitors is because they work with all colors of equipment, and they can handle all the functions a grower needs. Ag Leader has kind of been the ISOBUS before there was ISOBUS. And now with their Integra monitor—those types of touch screen monitors offer more flexibility for future features and benefits that can be added—so you don’t have to keep changing displays,” he adds. (Click on ‘Display Comparison Chart’ under SeedCommand )

Bruns thinks we’re starting to turn the corner on getting closer to a day when the ISOBUS theory becomes a much greater reality of compliance between systems. “Deere talks about reverse compatibility with their 2600 monitor to be able to drive a red tractor that is auto pilot ready. Same thing with Trimble or Case, so they can plug in and run a John Deere AutoTrac, for example,” he says. “We’re going to start seeing more and more of this, which will also help get rid of cab clutter, and add simplicity for the grower.”

For more information:
North American ISOBUS Implementation Task Force

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, the other day I spoke with central Ohio grower Gary Piper, who told me, “I’d give up auto steer in favor of my planter row control.”

This Centerburg producer, who farms 5,400 acres with his two brothers, just finished his third season using Ag Leader SeedCommand on their Insight monitor that controls Tru Count clutches on their 16-row planter. Piper admits to being skeptical when he first installed the units—about the reliability of the clutches and how soon he might recover his investment. But he figured with smaller, odd-shaped fields, ‘like one 24-acre field with eight corners,’ that it would pay off eventually and help control costs.

“The first year running them, I was very impressed. I saw first hand the results since I do all the corn planting. It wasn’t just the seed savings, but it really improved harvestability not having to deal with doubled-up rows that combine like a weed patch,” Piper says.

One-year payoff. It wasn’t until last year that he kept track of exactly how much seed he saved. “After planting 2,500 acres, we saved 38 bags, or about $7,600 worth of triple-stack hybrids—enough to easily pay for it in one year. And with SmartStax hybrids running $300-$350 this coming year, you can save even more.

Another benefit he liked had to do with comfort, under weather-stressed times. “Last spring we had challenging weather, which forced us to spend three long nights running the planter. As an operator I could not have physically done that and still kept the precision I demand—which the SeedCommand gave me.”

Yield loss. The other savings not often considered is yield loss from double-planted rows. “I never realized how dramatic that can be until I helped a neighbor combine last fall, who had double planted point rows—and I watched the yield monitor drop to about one-third the normal yield.”

After hearing that, one begins to understand why Gary won’t part with his planter row control system. Just plain common sense.

If you’re interested in a precision agriculture decision-making spreadsheet tool developed by Kansas State, look under ‘Decision-Making Tools’ called KSU-GPSguidance at this link:
http://www.agmanager.info/farmmgt/machinery/default.asp

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 as well as a crop consultant might? Michael Vos, software sales manager for Ag Leader Technology, says that crop consultants often have an advantage of knowing agronomics, and that gives them a broader perspective of a grower’s operation.

Place seed, place fertilizer. “For example, just yesterday we were talking with a crop consultant who was answering grower questions about the placement of fertilizer and especially micronutrients. He says the first thing he reminds growers is not to forget the fundamentals—placing the seed accurately in the field,” Vos says. “He says that once growers do that, then they can look at using precision technology to band fertilizer and micronutrients and plant right over the top of it—reducing rates compared to broadcast.”

Vos says consultants that they work with often dovetail that discussion into asking, ‘Well, then how are you going to make sure you are applying fertilizer accurately?’ “That’s when they talk about the value of a controller monitor like our InSight or INTEGRA models, that not only control rates (flat rate or prescription variable rate), but it monitors the rates and records them to help improve future decision making. And, in combination with a guidance system like our ParaDyme, they can optimize seeding and fertility in a strip-till system.”

See the big picture. “Crop consultants understand the breadth and depth of the entire farming operation—from agronomics to technology to marketing. That allows them to see the weaker links in an operation, and help point growers in the best direction to improve their efficiency,” Vos says.

Not only can they help correct the inefficiencies, a good crop consultant can also help growers prioritize their precision farming investment. “Some farmers may be better off starting out with a precision ag tool for their planter. Others may get a quicker payoff by adding technology to their sprayer. Still others may want to start with a guidance system,” he says.

Other resources:

Why Hire A Crop Consultant? (Corn & Soybean Digest)

How to Choose a Crop Consultant (Citrus & Vegetable)

How to Choose Your Crop Consultant (AgProfessional)

What a Consulting Engineer Can Do For You

National Alliance of Independent Crop Consultants

American Society of Agricultural Consultants

If you’re headed to Orlando next week to catch the first-ever world-class AG CONNECT Expo, there will be plenty of opportunities to learn about the latest precision technologies from around the world, as well as ‘kick the tires’.

New products and technologies will be showcased during the January 13-15 trade show at the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando, Fla. You can also check out some of these products posted on the show’s Web site, where you can even rate the products.

Many educational sessions led by industry experts are scheduled every day. Topics range from top tech trends, top shops, trading machinery, crop marketing, robotics and more. And you can also register to attend smaller interactive educational breakout sessions on such topics as energy, technology, farm management, family business management, risk management, high yield and a plan for success workshop.

We’ll have reports from the show, so stay tuned. And if you’re into the social media tool Twitter, you can follow along with everyone who posts at #agconnect.

Post Update: Listen to a show preview with ZimmComm’s Chuck Zimmerman in his weekly podcast, the ZimmCast below:

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

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 be transferred to the office using a USB storage device. EZ-Office software can help farmers evaluate field performance and identify problem areas.

The yield monitoring functionality allows growers to perform accurate area calculations using the auto cut width feature when the header is not full. This is an advantage for harvesting odd-shaped fields, point rows or areas already harvested. It relieves the farmer from having to manually adjust actual cut width when not harvesting a full swath.

“Yield monitoring is beneficial for farmers who want to analyze how well their fields perform. They can record and monitor results, and then adjust their seed and fertilizer application rate to generate higher yields,” said Erik Arvesen, vice president and general manager for Trimble’s Agriculture Division. “In addition, growers can now perform yield monitoring with the same display that steers their vehicle, reducing cab clutter.”

The yield monitoring and mapping functionality upgrade is expected to be available in the first quarter of 2010 and is priced at US$995 MSRP. For more information, call 1-800-874-6253 or visit www.trimble.com/agriculture to find a Trimble reseller.

New Field-IQ from Trimble is a modular system designed to work with its AgGPS FmX integrated display or EZ-Guide 500 lightbar system to help growers precisely control a variety of inputs, saving costs and applying prescription amounts.

The Field-IQ system combines input control capabilities into one comprehensive, modular system, including map-based planter row unit shutoff for seed and liquid fertilizer, variable rate seeding, variable rate liquid fertilizer, variable rate spreading and real-time variable rate nitrogen application. The Field-IQ system reduces the need for complex calibrations—farmers can simply purchase the components they need, set up, test and begin operations.

The modular functionality of the Field-IQ system allows growers to:

Automate Individual Row Control for Seed
Reduces overlap and overcrowding, helping growers use less seed while improving yields. Use the new, easy-to-install Tru Count Meter Mount air clutch to shut off seed row units.

Automate Individual Row Control for Liquid
Easily shut off liquid fertilizer for individual rows with new Tru Count LiquiBlock valves. These valves connect to Tru Count air clutches, sharing the same air source, allowing growers to simultaneously shut off seed and liquid.

Perform Variable Rate Application
Vary the rate of seed, granular material or liquid fertilizer application using Rawson variable rate drives to provide precise control. No lag at the beginning of a pass so seed, granular material or liquid fertilizer is applied at a steady rate at the start of each row.

Control up to 48 Sections
Automatically control planting and precise seed placement for up to 48 individual rows with the Field-IQ system.

Record Coverage and Mapping Automatically
The FmX integrated display or the EZ-Guide system records where the grower has been and what activities have been performed, eliminating the need to manually turn on and off application and logging.

Perform Real-Time Variable Rate Nitrogen Application
The Trimble GreenSeeker optical sensing system registers the amount of nitrogen needed by the plant, then automatically prescribes the right amount of nitrogen for the sprayer to deliver it on-the-go.

“Precisely controlling inputs allows farmers to save on seed and material inputs while enhancing yield. Field-IQ puts automatic shutoff and variable rate application capability within reach of farmers who previously thought the technology was too complex or expensive,” said Erik Arvesen, vice president and general manager for Trimble’s Agriculture Division. “Designed to combine a broad range of capabilities into one flexible, modular system, Field-IQ allows farmers to choose the capabilities they need now and add new input controls as their operations grow.”

Field-IQ is expected to be available in January 2010 through Trimble’s Agriculture reseller network. For more information, call 1-800-874-6253 or visit www.trimble.com/agriculture to find a Trimble reseller.

Arriving just ahead of a blizzard bearing down on Iowa yesterday, more than 200 key dealers got their first glimpse of the big, new Ag Leader Academy training facility in Ames. The group will get hands-on experience over the next several days, learning all about new products and the steering technology and services gained from the partnership with AutoFarm.

There was a lot of buzz about teaming up two new products in particular, which highlights the strengths of the new partnership between Ag Leader and AutoFarm. The ability to pair the new ‘flagship’ products—Ag Leader’s INTEGRA monitor with the high-accuracy automatic steering ParaDyme product from AutoFarm—will offer the most advanced and innovative precision ag system ever, say the companies.

The INTEGRA full-featured, year-around display, comprised of a 12-inch HD touchscreen, features a new hardware platform that can handle mapping, planter and application control, yield monitoring, real-time data logging and more—controlling virtually every operation from the cab.

And to make this a fully integrated system, a patented dual-antenna roof module called the ParaDyme, delivers a unique steering system that can handle any correction (from WAAS to RTK), plus it offers factory-activated and integrated wireless and cellular communications for remote diagnostics. It not only can provide sub-inch accuracy with RTK or the CORS Network, but it can track pitch, roll, yaw, vehicle position and heading.

ParaDyme System

“With ParaDyme, we’ve taken automatic steering to a whole new level,” says Michael O’Connor, Chief Technology Officer with Novariant, the parent company of AutoFarm. “This sets the standard in single-system solution to precision farming, when combined with the Ag Leader INTEGRA monitor system.”

What impressed me during the presentations was the simplicity behind the complex and all-encompassing capabilities of this system. For example:

• The ParaDyme platform fits both entry level users and the experienced RTK-intensive, variable-rate users, simply by swapping out monitors, steering systems and selecting the right correction signal—from sub-meter to sub-inch accuracy.
• No more complex steering calibration—you push a button and the computer automatically calibrates by turning and learning the tractor movements.
• No more need for a front-wheel sensor, due to the patented dual-antenna system configuration.
• There’s a seamless upgrade path for growers who want to start with an entry-level Edge monitor and assisted-steering, then move up later. The ParaDyme unit doesn’t change (only the signal), and the INTEGRA monitor uses the same cables and bolt-on hardware as the Edge monitor.
• With a decade of precision-steering experience, AutoFarm technology fits on more than 370 different vehicle brands.
• With ParaDyme, you are directly connected to your local dealer with a service plan (for a fee) to minimize downtime. If you have a problem, you push the help button on the monitor and it contacts them. Not only can they view your screen, they can actually make remote adjustments and troubleshoot it, without waiting for their truck to arrive.
• And for growers who live in states with good CORS networks coverage, the built-in cell phone system in the ParaDyme will automatically chose the best local carrier for your signal to run RTK—without you or your dealer worrying about another cell phone, and carrier, and service. Plus, you can activate it in 30-day increments, so no need for year-long contracts.

There are many more details, so contact your local dealer.

Raven Industries and SST Software are building on their strategic alliance started in July–aiming to provide customers with simple and efficient ways to move and manage precision agriculture information.

These solutions include integration of SST’s AgX Platform into Raven’s Viper Pro and Envizio Pro field computers. SST’s AgX Platform is a standardized data structure and reference database that enables efficient in-field record keeping and seamless communication between AgX -compliant software and devices.

“SST’s software suite and database structure has proven itself in the marketplace and our approaches to the precision agriculture market complement and build on each other,” said Raven President and Chief Executive Officer Ronald M. Moquist. “The use of Raven high speed modems and our field computers will help provide a real-time link to SST’s powerful algorithms. We anticipate that the integration of the AgX Platform will add to both company’s revenues.”

“Raven is a partner that agrees with our mission–providing independent information management services to our ag service providers and their farmer-customers, as they manage field inputs for maximum efficiency,” noted David Waits, SST President and CEO. “Raven’s robust hardware offerings and ag business perspective will help us to achieve that goal.”

Matt Burkhart, General Manager of Applied Technology Division at Raven Industries emphasized, “Our ownership position in SST demonstrates our mutual commitment to deepening this strategic alliance. The combination of the AgX Platform with our field computers gives growers a platform they can depend on for the foreseeable future.”

If you’re seeking a cost-effective start in precision guidance, Leica wants you to check out their new mojoMINI 3D lightbar guidance system.

The Leica mojoMINI lightbar comes with the Leica SmartAg antenna and GLIDE technology for improved in-field accuracy. Plus, the easy-to-use 4.3-inch, touch-screen display has multiple guidance options, including AB parallel, A+ heading, contour and pivot guidance for use in many field types.

“The mojoMINI can be installed in minutes and is so versatile that growers can get daily use out of the display,” said Peter Bailey, product manager. “Plus the easy-to-follow 3D display greatly reduces the operators’ time to learn the system while increasing in-field guidance accuracy over traditional LED lightbar systems.”

The Leica mojoMINI lightbar system complements the current line of mojo auto-steer products, including  the Leica mojoGLIDE console with 6- to 8-inch (15- to 25-cm) pass-to-pass accuracy and the original Leica mojoRTK console with repeatable 2-inch (5 cm) accuracy.