Precision Pays

If you’re just starting to look at more advanced precision agriculture practices on your farm such as auto steer, take a look at your operation to see which signal is right for you. Jonathan Hall, a grad assistant at Auburn University, offers some tips on the Precision Ag Blog.

After exploring all of the equipment that can be purchased, you will find that there are three basic options for GPS accuracy:

1. A free signal, known as Wide Area Augmentation System (WAAS), provides pass-to-pass accuracy of about ±6 to 13 inches and has a potential GPS drift of ±4 to ±7 ft. WAAS is managed by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).

2. A “corrected” signal that requires a paid subscription can provide a pass-to-pass accuracy between ±2 and ±13 inches and has a potential GPS drift of ±1.7 to ±3 ft depending on the correction service.

3. A real-time kinematic (RTK) system that provides pass-to-pass accuracy of ±1 inch and a potential GPS drift of ±1 inch. This system requires the purchase of an RTK base station if an RTK network, such as CORS, does not already exist in your area. The Continually Operation Reference Station (CORS) network is a free RTK signal operated and monitored by the National Geodetic Survey (NGS). If CORS is not available in your area an annual subscription for a proprietary RTK network can be purchased.

It is important to keep in mind two terms relating to GPS/GNSS accuracy when evaluating signal options. Pass-to-pass accuracy is the accuracy of the GPS/GNSS receiver over a 15 minute time-frame and pertains to short-term operations such as spraying or fertilizing fields. GPS drift is the accuracy of the GPS/GNSS receiver over an extended period of time. GPS drift is more long-term and becomes important when planting or harvesting.

Check out his piece to learn more.

We talked briefly about the numerous new products from Raven during our Farm Progress Show coverage, but wanted to give you a closer look at several of them.

For variable-rate seeding and planter control, check out the new OmniRow planter control, which works in sync with the company’s new Envizio Pro II field computer and optional Slingshot RTK/Online service.

Population control by row. Variable-rate seeding, automatic on-off planter control and real-time seed monitoring can be managed by individual rows or section. Everything you need for higher yields and eliminating costly skips, doubles and overplants.

In the zone. With OmniRow’s real-time seed monitoring and singulation ability, helping you maintain optimum tractor speed for maximum yields and efficiency is a snap. You’ll also know immediately when something’s amiss, so you can keep little things from becoming costly mistakes.

Better records. Better decisions. Documentation and mapping capability allows you to compare seed hybrid/variety selection and pest management and fertilization practices to get the very most out of your fields. With Raven’s new SmartYield yield monitoring system you don’t have to take our word for it. Come harvest time. You’ll know.

Improve your existing system. If you have a planter control system, OmniRow can make it better by using existing factory installed or after-market components. Three levels of readiness to meet your equipment needs. Available today for most popular models—and expanding.

Check out more key features and benefits.

Precision steering, whether assisted technology attached to the steering wheel or fully automated steering wired into hydraulics, can give you improved pass-to-pass accuracy, time and money savings, and less operator fatigue.

I spoke the other day with Jeff Bentley, Ag Leader Technology’s sales manager for GPS Guidance and Steering, to get his take on the usefulness of non-human steering in the fall.

He told me there are three major areas that auto steer technology can benefit a farmer in the fall—combining, field tillage and fall fertilization. And you don’t necessarily need the higher cost RTK differential correction signal.

OnTrac

“In the combine, either our OnTrac2 assisted steering system or our advanced ParaDyme automated steering will benefit anyone with a platform head to keep it completely full of soybeans or wheat during harvest,” Bentley says. “We have some customers who also use RTK to guide a corn head down rows that were planted using RTK auto steer.”

ParaDyme

When it comes to fall tillage, many growers have done some on-farm testing with automated steering. “The results growers tend to see when comparing manual steering to auto steering usually range from three percent up to 10 percent greater efficiency. And you can use a wide range of signals, from the free WAAS signal to OmniSTAR to RTK.”

The third fall application that benefits from auto steer is fertilization. “Growers use it when applying anhydrous, when using a spinner-spreader and especially when applying fertilizer as part of a strip-till operation, using RTK so they can come back and plant exactly over the top next spring,” Bentley says.

To control these systems, Bentley says the OnTrac2 uses the EDGE display. For the ParaDyme, you can use either the EDGE or the INTEGRA display. “And with either display you can add DirectCommand for section control and rate control for anhydrous bars and strip-till air carts.”

Bentley says if you haven’t invested in steering technology yet, its year-around uses will deliver greater efficiency, fuel savings, input savings, time savings and especially less operator fatigue.

Visit these links for more information.

ParaDyme and OnTrac2 http://www.agleader.com/products/steering/

INTEGRA http://www.agleader.com/products/integra/

EDGE http://www.agleader.com/products/edge/

As weather across the Corn Belt improved this week to help speed harvest, some farmers are either thinking about or applying fall fertilizer.

I checked in with Ag Leader’s Chad Huedepohl yesterday, and he reminded me of the many benefits of controlling these product applications with their DirectCommand system linked with either the INTEGRA or EDGE displays.

“Whether growers are applying granular fertilizer with a spinner spreader, liquid fertilizer, anhydrous ammonia, or a combination on a strip-till toolbar, DirectCommand can control variable-rate application for each product,” he says.

Huedepohl, sales manager for DirectCommand, says growers are cutting application costs by 5 to 15 percent due to reduced overlap with AutoSwath control. “It can control up to ten sections on a boom, or even control spinner spreaders. Growers can also inject N-Serve into anhydrous or Instinct nitrogen stabilizer into a manure application,” he adds.

Use the INTEGRA display to control, adjust and record up to 5 different products in one application, or the EDGE display to handle two products. Both displays offer easy-to-use controls with on-screen guidance showing actual map coverage, and it’ll monitor up to three outside-the-cab pressure gauges.

With the INTEGRA display, all application details are captured on a Smart Report to easily generate PDF files that can be used as government certified application maps. And all data is easily transferred into SMS software for analysis and future year input needs and budgets.

Visit these links for more information.

DirectCommand http://www.agleader.com/products/directcommand/

INTEGRA http://www.agleader.com/products/integra/

EDGE http://www.agleader.com/products/edge/

Anyone who has spent 12 to 16 hours in a tractor on a given day (and for several weeks during spring and fall) knows how physically and mentally exhausting that can be. Having done that throughout my youth, I knew farmers would value the ‘less stress’ aspects of auto steer just as much if not more than the potential money savings.

To that end, a recent piece on the adoption of GPS that appeared in The Cap Times newspaper (Madison, Wisc.) talked about the economic savings of precision farming. And it quoted Columbus, Wisc., farmer Alan Paulson who said, “At the end of the day, you’re not exhausted.”

Check out the rest of the story.

Trimble recently introduced its latest in-cab, touch screen CFX-750 display. The 8-inch, full-color display allows farmers to choose the specific guidance, steering and precision agriculture capabilities that best fit their farm’s particular needs. The farmer can upgrade the CFX-750 display as business needs change, including adding GLONASS capabilities, or adding section and rate control for crop inputs such as seed, chemicals and fertilizer.

When the built-in, dual-frequency receiver is upgraded to GLONASS, it provides the option to nearly double the number of available satellites from which to receive satellite signals.

For precision planting operations, the CFX-750 display is compatible with Trimble’s Field-IQ crop input control system and Tru Count clutches and can perform section control on up to 48 sections. Add rate control with the Field-IQ system to save costs and increase yields while also keeping records of what was applied. Additionally, operators can increase visibility from the cab by using the two live video feeds on the CFX-750 display to view the implement being pulled behind the vehicle.

“The Trimble CFX-750 display features the industry-leading Trimble Maxwell 6 chip that tracks up to 44 satellites simultaneously including GLONASS,” said Erik Arvesen, vice president and general manager for Trimble’s Agriculture Division. “This is a great high-performance, entry-level platform that can be upgraded to the Field-IQ section and rate control system as the farmer’s needs grow.”

The CFX-750 display is affordably priced starting at US$2,995 MSRP and is expected to be available in September 2010. Contact a local Trimble dealer at www.trimble.com/locator for more information.

Who says livestock producers can’t benefit from precision agriculture? Ever tried to follow your tracks when spreading manure in a hayfield or pasture?

Extension educators were inspired to secure the same advantages for the southwest Alabama livestock producers.

“Much like row-crop farmers, livestock producers use fertilizers and herbicides to make their pastures more productive, but they often have trouble making uniform applications,” says Ken Kelley, a regional Extension livestock educator.

In the case of fertilizers, Kelley says, the end result of uneven fertilization turns out to be alternating light and dark green patches throughout the field.

Chuck Madaris, a purebred and commercial producer who also sells hay, benefitted from the grant and initially used his GPS device to spread chicken litter, which serves as his sole fertilizer source.

“When we spread litter in the hayfield, it was just about impossible to do a good job because the fields are cut smooth and it’s almost impossible finding tracks,” he says.

“GPS definitely offers an advantage.”

Madaris also adapted the GPS device for use with spray applications, which seemed to work more effectively than the foam markers previously used.

He says he has not been disappointed.

For more details, read the rest of the story.

Conservation. Sustainability. Water Quality. These hot topics are on the minds of government, and should be a continued focus by every grower. As you look at your operation, and your investment in precision farming equipment, it pays to think proactively and adopt components that can improve your environmental footprint.

I spoke the other day with Iowa farmer Tim Palmer, who also is president of the Conservation Districts of Iowa—a group of 500 county commissioners who are responsible for carrying out state laws and programs within district boundaries. Palmer had just returned from their annual conference where the theme was ‘Mastering Conservation 101.’

“Our whole conference was all about topics focused on improving water quality. If we can keep soil in place, water quality automatically improves,” he says. “We discussed many ways to help educate growers on conservation methods; about how there’s more to soil quality than organic matter and yield. And we offered breakout sessions on planter adjustments, managing no-till residue, precision farming, value of no-till, livestock grazing management and other topics.”

Chad Huedepohl, DirectCommand sales manager for Ag Leader Technology, spoke to the group about how precision farming tools can help promote conservation practices. He addressed three areas during his talk:

1. Auto guidance: “I talked about the myth that auto steer only works in fields with straight rows. Our SmartPath technology tracks the contours in a field as you drive the first path, then it takes over the steering during subsequent paths—which helps growers farm fields differently to keep erosion in check. And auto guidance eliminates row marker trenches that can turn into highly erodible gullies during heavy rain events,” Huedepohl says.

2. Efficient nitrogen application: “Our OptRx crop sensor system can help growers reduce excessive nitrogen application by reading the crop and applying only the amount needed, instead of applying a flat rate of nitrogen across whole fields.”

3. Reduced chemical and seed over-application: “As growers adopt more contour planting to reduce soil and water movement and erosion in square fields, they create more point rows which can lead to over-application of seed and chemicals,” he says. “With auto guidance and row/boom shutoff, that problem is eliminated. Our AutoSwath technology combined with planter row shutoff devices not only provide less corn lodging and herbicide over-application, it saves on seed and chemical input costs, too.”

Visit these links for more information.

Conservation Districts of Iowa http://www.cdiowa.org/index.html

Iowa Soil and Water Conservation District Annual Conference
http://www.cdiowa.org/AnnConf10/Ann%20Conf%202010%20Program%20draft.pdf

Ag Leader SmartPath http://www.agleader.com/2010/07/08/smartpathtm-“drive-and-guide”-guidance-pattern-introduced-by-ag-leader/
http://www.agleader.com/products/guidance/guidance-patterns/

Ag Leader OptRx http://www.agleader.com/2010/02/15/optrx/
http://www.agleader.com/products/directcommand/optrx/

Ag Leader AutoSwath http://www.agleader.com/products/directcommand/

There’s a new cell phone modem-based RTK Network being built by farmers for farmers, starting in Illinois.

Recently established by a group of agriculture industry partners, MyWay RTK LLC is introducing the first independent, open-technology RTK (Real Time Kinematic) network engineered for the specific guidance needs of growers using precision farming technologies in their operations. The network is designed to allow users to access the high-accuracy RTK GPS signal without the requirement of using proprietary precision farming hardware or software.

Unlike other traditional RTK systems, MyWay RTK operates using cellular/Internet access allowing users to access the signal up to 25 miles from a base station. The signal eliminates the need to be located within line of sight of the base station as well as other issues related to weather conditions that can affect networks using different technologies. The technology provides a strong signal that can be used for operations that require sub-inch accuracy.

MyWay RTK’s open architecture is designed to work with any equipment that uses industry-standard “GPS” protocols. This is especially beneficial to operators using multiple brands of equipment from different manufacturers or those who work with other service providers or custom operators.

“MyWay RTK was developed by a group of farmers, for farmers. We
saw the need to grow an RTK network that empowers farmers and their service providers who want to build out this RTK system at multiple levels,” explained Don Bierman, manager for MyWay RTK.

“The very reason this service exists is to provide open-access to RTK for all brands of equipment and hardware, as well as provide a dedicated service team that understands agriculture and the needs of growers using precision technology today…and in the future.”

All sales of RTK access will be made through an online ordering system, which can be found at www.mywayrtk.com. Through the use of this online presence, each value-added reseller of MyWay RTK will have the ability to customize their interaction with their farmer customer, enhancing those aspects of their relationships with their customers that make them unique in their marketplace.

MyWay RTK is planning to expand the network and is currently seeking partners to own and deploy the GPS base stations as well as resellers to offer service and support to their local growers.

To learn more about the service or to view current coverage maps, please visit www.mywayrtk.com or contact 866.963.5785.

AgWeb caught up with Missouri Farmer Dennis Isgrig at a recent farm show. Check out this video to learn how he uses the free WAAS signal and has adapted technology to his older planter to keep costs lower and pay it back quicker.

John Deere has released the next generation of it’s 8R Tractors. These new tractors integrate the “smart-tractor” concept into the row-crop tractors, and by “smart” I mean the tractor provides growers all the latest and greatest precision ag technologies right at their fingertips.

I caught up with Cody Dicken during the Farm Progress Show to take a look at the new 8R Tractor and learn more about its new features, especially the amplified Command Center.

“First and foremost, customers will notice new styles and new lights on the front grill. But quickly when they step into it, they’ll notice that the power levels have increased by about a 10-15 percent power increase depending on the model,” explained Dicken.

The 8360R and the 8360RT get up to almost 300 btu horsepower and Dicken continued, “From what we can see, these are the most powerful row crop tractors anywhere in the industry.”

One advantage of the new 8R Tractors is that farmers can easily integrate new GPS technologies into their operations.

“Last year when we came out with the 2010 8R we introduced the Command Center on the seat. This year, we’ve taken the Command Center to the next level,” said Dicken. “We now have an option to enable the tractor with a touch steer display and the GreenStar applications are now available.”

With the Command Center, growers can also operate AutoTrack and SwatchControl Pro, which makes it easier for growers to be able to use the technology.

Another cool feature of the tractor is that a grower can customize it to meet his needs from horsepower – to precision power. And this tractor will benefit small to medium operations just as effectively as it will large to extra large operations. Not ready for all the bells and whistles yet? Don’t worry. You can add precision technologies as your operation grows.

To learn more, visit your local John Deere dealer. They can give you personal demonstrations on how all their new precision technologies can make your farm operation more profitable.

You can also learn more by listening to my interview with Cody Dicken. Cody Dicken Discusses the Command Center

Check out our Farm Progress Photo Album.

John Deere has launched several new precision ag technologies including a new telematics system, JDLink, GreenStar 3 family of displays, the StarFire 3000 GNSS Receiver, iGrade, that helps producers better manage surface water movement, and iSteer, that improves implement guidance in a grower’s field.

“The GreenStar 3 and the new GreenStar 3 2630 display is the new generation of GreenStar displays,” explained Jake Stein, with John Deere, during the Farm Progress Show. “We have new features like video capability, access manager, operator lock-outs, user friendly standby mode, and more.”

One of the best new features of the displays is its video feature. Stein said that having video its a huge advantage especially as operations and machinery keep getting bigger and bigger and the operators need more eyes on their machines. The video allows them to see more and in real-time.

The new GreenStar displays are available to order now and will ship in early 2011. For those who have been using other displays, such as the GS2 display, the new GreenStar technology will drop right into their current system and off they go.

Another new product is the StarFire 3000, which is a new receiver replacing the StarFire ITC. “It’s got great new features like GLONASS, so we get more satellites. We now have the third access in our TCM that we can calibrate to allow autotrack to perform better in the field for customers as well, especially those on an uneven terrain,” said Stein.

Although we only discussed a few of their precision products in detail, you can learn more about all of their new products at www.johndeere.com.

Listen to my interview with Jake Stein here. John Deere Launches New Precision Ag Products

Farm Progress Photo Album

During the Farm Progress Show held last week in Boone, Iowa, Raven introduced several new products including OmniRow, Envizio Pro II and SmartYield. I caught up with Ryan Molitor to learn about these new products and more.

Molitor began by explaining that OmniRow is an advanced planter control system. This system enables the grower to do variable rate seeding either prescription based or he can adjust the rate on the fly. The system includes things such as singulation information and seed monitoring so the technology will alert the operator if anything is going on with the planter itself.

“What really sets OmniRow apart is we have a patent-pending hydraulic motor and clutch. It’s one unit that does the control but it also does the section shut off,” said Molitor.

In addition to OmniRow, Raven launched the next version of Envizio Pro. They made some additional improvements and added new features with growers’ needs in mind. Envizio Pro II is a fully functional field computer with guidance, GPS, steering, and applications controls among other features. Molitor said one of his customer needs is RFK steering, so the Envizio Pro II has an integrated GPS receiver that’s scalable up to RTK.

“Envizio Pro II is the make it do everything field computer that never needs to leave the cab,” said Molitor. “So with that, we’re also able to interface the SmartYield, which is a yield monitor system that will interface with the Envizio Pro.”

SmartYield is able to create accurate yield records for all major grains. Having critical performance data at his fingertips, helps growers make better decisions, which improves his bottom line.

You can learn more about these new Raven products, as well as others by listening to my interview with Ryan Molitor here. Raven Launches Plethora of New Products

Farm Progress Photo Album

Earlier this year Ag Leader launched a new GPS guidance and steering technology called ParaDyme. While the product is still fairly new, growers are already raving about it. To learn more about its unique features and benefits, I spoke with Jeff Bentley, GPS Guidance and Steering Sales Manager for Ag Leader.

ParaDyme is a fully functional, fully integrated hydraulic steering system. It includes a cellular modem for correction by cell, wireless, as well as wifi that’s integrated for future uses and it can be installed into any hydraulic valve vehicle. Bentley explained that it is also scalable from WAAS to OmniStar all the way up to RTK. “So it’s fully scalable to several correction sources,” said Bentley.

A major advantage of using steering technologies is efficiency. “Efficiency is going to be your biggest advantage,” said Bentley. ParaDyme offers accuracy and ease of use and Bentley said when you come back to spray or come back to harvest, the straight rows are going to be a big advantage.

ParaDyme can be used with multiple brands of equipment going back 20 years. It can also be integrated with other Ag Leader products into two displays, Integra, which was launched this fall, and Edge, which was launched earlier this year. In addition, growers can use DirectCommand and SeedCommand as well as the Yield Monitor with ParaDyme.

Farmers have commented that some of their favorite product features include the display as well as the integrated modem. We have a lot of growers, especially those doing RTK connection through a cell modem like you have in Iowa through the DOE network, who really appreciate the integrated modem said Bentley. “The modem is already in ParaDyme. They don’t have to get their own cell plan – they just buy their cell plan through us and away they go.”

Bentley concluded that it’s been a great year and they’re looking forward to seeing how ParaDyme performs on the combine as well as in tillage applications.

You can listen to my interview with Jeff Bentley here. Jeff Bentley Talks ParaDyme

Farm Progress Photo Album

Precision Pays coverage of the Farm Progress Show is sponsored by: .

As the nights begin to cool, we know harvest is just around the corner. But before your mind gets totally wrapped around the culmination event of your hard work, take a break to visit and learn at one of the best outdoor farm shows, the Farm Progress Show, Aug. 31 through Sept. 2 near the central Iowa community of Boone.

If you’re going to the show, Ag Leader Technology has a special free t-shirt offer with a chance to win an EDGE display. Before you go, just visit the Ag Leader Facebook page and click on the invite under the tab ‘EDGE Giveaway.’ Then fill out the survey and bring it to the Ag Leader booth (Lot 517).

While at the booth, check out the live demonstration of the OptRx Crop Sensor. A Hagie sprayer, complete with the OptRx sensors, INTEGRA display and ParaDyme steering system, will be gathering crop condition data on live corn plants.

Also check out the new SMS Mobile PC software that will be available this fall for PC-based devices such as laptops, netbooks and tablets that run Windows XP, Vista or Windows 7.

And stop inside the tent to learn more about all the products from Ag Leader—from displays and guidance to planter/sprayer controls and software that handles all the data. Product experts will be on hand to help you learn what can best fit your operation.

Visit these links for more information.

Farm Progress Show Website http://www.farmprogressshow.com/

Ag Leader Precision Point Blog: Calling Farm Progress Show Attendees!
http://www.agleader.com/2010/08/23/calling-farm-progress-show-attendees/

Ag Leader Facebook page http://www.facebook.com/AgLeader?v=app_4949752878

Survey for Free t-shirt and EDGE drawing http://www.agleader.com/mirror/FB-EDGE-Survey.pdf

OptRx Crop Sensor http://www.agleader.com/products/directcommand/optrx/

Fall Release of SMS Mobile Software http://www.agleader.com/2010/07/19/ag-leader-announces-fall-release-of-sms-mobile-pc/