Precision Pays » Insights Weekly

Precise Input Application Leads to Increased Time & Money Savings

Melissa — Fri, 18 May 2012 12:29:08 +0000

Spring 2012 got off to an unpredictable and unstable start with wind, rain and tornadoes in parts of the Midwest, but after Mother Nature calmed down, farmers had a decent planting season with most of the crops already in the ground or nearing completion. And with planting behind them, growers are now turning to spraying.

Rocky Brown, corn and soybean grower from LaPorte City, Iowa, says he’s used products from Ag Leader for more than 20 years and the DirectCommand system is one he wouldn’t do without.

Listen to Brown explain

Not only is he saving time and energy, he’s being a good steward of the land. Rocky lives in an area of Iowa that’s much like neighboring states with hills, terraces and waterways. Rocky says it’s a big change from how he used to spray.

Listen to Brown explain

So as the old saying goes, “In like a lion and out like a lamb”, we wait to see what the rest of the growing season has in store. To find out how you can make things more efficient and less stressful for yourself, be sure to visit your Ag Leader dealer to find out what’s right for your growing operation.

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.

Value of Data: Ag Leader Goes to Oregon

Melissa — Fri, 11 May 2012 13:27:03 +0000

Last month, Ag Leader Software Support Specialist Luke James, traveled to the Willamette Valley in west central Oregon to talk about the value of data. The Willamette Valley is known as the grass seed capital of the world. According to the Oregon Seed Council, about 500,000 acres of the grass seed are grown in Oregon and nearly 90 percent of that is grown in the Willamette Valley.

While in the valley, Luke had the opportunity to interview Patrick Lanz of Ag West Supply. Listen as Patrick describes agriculture in the Willamette Valley.

Like other regions, farmers in the Willamette Valley have been utilizing precision agriculture for several years. Listen as Patrick describes the different types of precision agriculture being used by farmers in the valley.

Luke and our NW Territory manager Sean Ealy, a native Oregonian, discussed the value of data with farmers and ag specialists from the Willamette valley. The meetings were informative and they discussed various items including yield monitoring, guidance, sprayer control, crop sensing using OptRx and analyzing data using the SMS Software.

While in the valley, Luke had the opportunity to interview Jammie Wutzke of Ag West Supply. Listen as Jammie explains how farmers may utilize precision ag data to improve their farms in the Willamette Valley.

Ag West Supply is one of the Ag Leader dealers located in the Willamette Valley. They focus on helping growers learn more about how precision ag can benefit their operation. Listen as Jammie defines the role that precision ag dealers play in helping farmers progress their operation.

To learn more about the SMS Software, click here.

Ag Leader Hosts Summer Dealer Training Sessions

Melissa — Fri, 04 May 2012 12:48:34 +0000

This summer, Ag Leader will be hosting a series of 13 different informational courses for their network of dealers, beginning June 5 and ending August 17. The sessions aim to prep dealers for a successful summer planting and 2012 harvest and arm them with the knowledge on how to grow and improve on their precision ag businesses.

Training sessions will focus on key Ag Leader product offerings: displays, GPS and steering, SeedCommand, DirectCommand, harvest and SMS software. They also give Ag Leader dealers an opportunity to network and learn from each other.

Kaleb Lindquist, Ag Leader training specialist, says Ag Leader strives to do everything they can to help dealer businesses grow because dealers really are the face of the company. When growers have questions about precision ag, they go to their local dealer, not to the corporate office.

Listen to Lindquist explain

So what does that mean to you, the customer? It means you have the most dedicated, educated, professional network of Ag Leader dealers who can help you decide which product offering is right for your individual needs, and keep you up-to-date on the latest software and upgrades.

Here’s what’s being offered this summer.

Listen to Lindquist explain

And, many dealers extend what they learn by hosting local training sessions, with coursework that mirrors what they learn during these summer training sessions. You should contact your local dealer to find out if training will be available in your area.

Data Management in SMS Basic and SMS Advanced

Melissa — Fri, 27 Apr 2012 12:31:11 +0000

Managing and organizing data is an essential part of any business operation. Data that is not properly organized cannot only be difficult to find, but difficult to work with. In an office setting, you may have different folders in your filing cabinet, or on your computer to organize your information.

Ag Leader’s SMS Advanced users have had the ability to have unlimited projects to help organize data. Think of a project as a filing folder that allows you to have a different Management Tree to separate out your information. If you do any custom fieldwork or custom mapping for anyone, this would provide you the ability to have a project for each person you did custom work for. This makes it much easier to find the information that you’re after, as well as providing privacy on who else you are doing work for in the event that you have a client come over to look over some data with you. Projects are also a great way to work with sample files to try out new tools and features without doing anything with your main projects.

In Version 11.5, Ag Leader made changes that allow SMS Basic users to have up to five projects. SMS Basic and SMS Advanced users both get to take advantage of an updated Projects Dialog and Backup Wizard. To learn more about these updates, please watch the videos below:

Using Projects in SMS Basic

Using Projects in SMS Advanced

Ag Leader Introduces a Crop Sensor Rate Table for the OptRx™ Crop Sensors

Melissa — Fri, 20 Apr 2012 12:27:51 +0000

Growers looking for application flexibility can take advantage of a new Crop Sensor Rate Table available now from Ag Leader Technology. This functionality offered through the DirectCommand system on the INTEGRA display allows producers to utilize the OptRx crop sensors to apply the agrochemicals they need on-the-go at the rates necessary for optimum performance.

Crop Sensor Product Specialist Chad Fick explains, “Many agrochemicals, such as fertilizers, pesticides, defoliants, growth regulators and others, can be more effectively applied if the rates are varied according to crop health.”

Listen to Fick explain

OptRx crop sensors work by shining light on the crop canopy and reading the light reflected back to determine the crop health, also known as Vegetative Index. “The new Crop Sensor Rate Table allows growers to choose a Vegetative Index range and assign the recommended rates based on those ranges,” Fick said. Working with agronomists or crop consultants, farmers can use OptRx to improve the application of any agrochemical to any crop that needs a variable rate.

Fick says it’s almost like the plant is telling the grower what it needs.

Listen to Fick explain

Growers with the INTEGRA display can take advantage of the Crop Sensor Rate Table by updating their firmware to version 3.3.

What’s Coming in SMS Basic/Advanced v12.0 From Ag Leader

Melissa — Fri, 13 Apr 2012 13:09:24 +0000

Ag Leader will soon be releasing SMS Basic/Advanced v12.0 and SMS Mobile v6.0. Here are a few of the items that will be included in this upcoming release.

Among the updates in SMS Basic/Advanced Version 12.0, updated tools allow growers to work with the latest file formats on the market from the following precision farming companies: Ag Leader, CNH, John Deere, Precision Planting, RDS and Trimble.

Ag Leader has also added a tool that allows for the exporting of information to a grower’s crop insurance provider. This includes information like dates planted, crop planted and acres planted. If growers would like to use the information collected by precision farming displays to help report to a crop insurance agent, contact Ag Leader’s software support team for this free tool unlock after updating to SMS Basic/Advanced v12.0.

Luke James, Ag Leader software sales specialist, says being able to provide specific crop and field information to insurance agents is on the minds of many growers this year.
Listen to James explain

Another function that’s helpful to insurance agents is the “Summary Report” from SMS. Growers can generate this type report by going to File – New – General Report in SMS Basic/Advanced.

As always, if growers have any questions after updating to SMS v12.0, contact Ag Leader’s software support team.

Planting Pre-Season Checklist from Ag Leader

Melissa — Fri, 06 Apr 2012 13:46:03 +0000

What a spring! With beautiful weather and warming soil temperatures many growers have started to feel the itch to get out and start planting. Ag Leader’s Tech Support wants to take the time to pass along a few helpful pointers to ensure a smooth planting season while using Ag Leader equipment.

Measures taken prior to lowering the planter into the first field should begin with powering up the display to manage data, update firmware, and to create a back-up of the display for the 2012 planting season. Kati Knolting, Ag Leader representative for hardware tech support, gives growers a list of suggested steps to get started.

Listen to Knolting explain

Ag Leader also is happy to announce the release of the new v3.1 firmware for our INTEGRA and VERSA displays. The new firmware download is only available through your Ag Leader dealer at this time. Growers can find all of the available display firmware here.

With the display ready to go, proceed to check the Ag Leader equipment found on the tractor and planter. Knolting runs growers through the pre-season equipment checklist.

Listen to Knolting explain

To help with settings, configuration setup and troubleshooting steps, visit the Ag Leader Customer Support site. Ag Leader wishes you all the very best as you begin your spring fieldwork.

Downloading Soil Survey Data Just Got Easier

Melissa — Fri, 30 Mar 2012 12:25:14 +0000

According to Isaac Bowers, Ag Leader Software Support and Training Supervisor, common questions during the winter months are, “Where can I go to find soil survey data?” and, “What do I need to do to bring that data into SMS?” In the past, growers had to know which websites had that data, wait to download a county’s worth of information to their local hard drive, and then had to assign each column of data they wanted to import that data.

“As part of Ag Leader’s continued effort to simplify tasks in SMS, we have added a simple wizard in SMS Basic/Advanced Version 11.5 that allows you to download soil survey data,” says Bowers. “SMS can download many attributes such as soil type, soil description, erodibility class, drainage class, up to six horizons of soil information, and many more.”

To access the new wizard in SMS, go to File – Download Soil Survey Data from Internet. Learn more from this video.

After downloading the soil survey information, growers can analyze data using queries, or the Comparison Analysis if they’re using SMS Advanced, and use the results to assist in making better management decisions to make sure they are getting as much out of their field as possible. For example, compare yield values to the different soil types in the field to determine which soil types are the more productive, and then use that information when creating planting and seeding prescriptions.

**Note – This ability is currently only available for U.S. customers. Customers outside of the U.S. can import shapefiles for soil survey data by going to File – Read Files.
**Note – The ability to download this information requires an active internet connection.

Saving Money With Precision Ag Technology

Melissa — Fri, 23 Mar 2012 11:46:07 +0000

The use of precision farming products continues to increase. With increasing input costs, producers are often looking for ways to adopt technology to make farming operations more efficient and productive. Guidance systems also reduce overlap in fields which leads to less passes across the field, less fuel and product use (i.e. seed, fertilizer, and herbicide), and fewer operator hours.

And since today’s high-tech seed isn’t cheap, if growers aren’t controlling where and how much of each type of seed they plant, they’re probably sacrificing yield potential and bottom line performance. SeedCommand from Ag Leader helps growers manage all of their planting operations, including seed population, planter performance, hybrid/variety mapping, split planting and variable rates.

“I particularly like being able to monitor my skips and doubles with the Advanced Seed Monitoring,” says Merrill Swanson, grower from Gilbert, Iowa. “When you change hybrids, you usually have a different seed size. When I see that I’m having skips or doubles because of that, I can adjust my seed meters and see that the problem’s fixed on the screen.”

To quantify the amount of overlap that occurs in a typical production setting, Iowa State University researchers partnered with two Iowa producers in 2011 who did not own any precision ag technologies. More than 2,500 acres of field operations were monitored and analyzed to determine typical overlap in central Iowa production systems. Results from these producer tests showed an average 3.3 percent overlap during planting operations. Given these overlap levels, the return on investment by using precision ag products can be directly measured. Read the full analysis here.

The bottom line is: precision technologies such as SeedCommand from Ag Leader can help you lower seed cost during planting season and improve yield potential at harvest time. Contact an Ag Leader dealer today.

Case-IH AFS and New Holland PFS Software Users Convert to Ag Leader SMS Software Today

Melissa — Fri, 16 Mar 2012 11:26:08 +0000

Ag Leader Technology is offering current Case-IH AFS and New Holland PFS desktop software users the opportunity to convert to Ag Leader SMS desktop software. CNH AFS/PFS users that choose to convert will be assured continued SMS software updates and industry leading support directly from Ag Leader. Ag Leader and SMS will continue to support the CNH file formats and changes that occur with new display firmware releases.

This conversion does NOT require a user to re-read their data. Users will be able to restore a backup from AFS/PFS into SMS or direct an SMS install to the location of their AFS/PFS data folder.

Luke James, software sales specialist for Ag Leader, says once users learn how to use a certain software, change can be hard. But this conversion is easy, seamless, and allows for continual updates. Listen to James explain

James says the benefit to growers is that they can convert straight over to SMS right now and they don’t have to learn a new software. Listen to James explain

To learn more and convert from CNH AFS/PFS to Ag Leader SMS, please contact the Ag Leader software support team at 515-232-5363 or SMSsupport@agleader.com.

Ag Leader Launches New Insights Magazine

Melissa — Fri, 09 Mar 2012 13:57:30 +0000

Ag Leader Technology announces the launch of Insights magazine, a new precision farming publication produced by the Ag Leader team. The debut issue of the quar¬terly magazine reached a circulation of more than 20,000 readers this month, primarily targeting growers and precision farming industry professionals who are looking to get more out of their precision farming tools and to learn about the latest technologies.

Lori Costello, Ag Leader Marketing Communications Manager, says the transition to using precision agriculture can take time. Online articles are very time-sensitive and may expire, but the magazine provides information in a way that can be accessed at the grower’s convenience. Listen to Costello explain

Content of the magazine includes wisdom from renowned agronomists, showcasing how precision farm¬ing technology can and will be used to overcome new challenges caused by changing weather patterns and growing conditions. Profiles of growers explore the innovative ways precision farming technology is being used around the country to reduce waste, increase yields and bolster profits. Additional content takes readers behind the scenes of Ag Leader, where they will learn how to get more value from Ag Leader products and learn about the benefits and features of new precision farming tools coming soon.

Costello says the magazine contains more than just Ag Leader product announcements – it is a tool to help growers understand how precision ag fits into their business model. Listen to Costello explain

Those interested in signing up for a free subscription to Insights magazine are encouraged to visit: www.agleader.com/subscription. The Ag Leader team will be on the constant lookout for interesting story angles, profile subjects and precision farming information, so please email your story tips to Info@agleader.com, subject line: Insights Tip.

Ag Leader Acquires Water Management Products and Technologies

Melissa — Fri, 02 Mar 2012 16:21:00 +0000

To integrate water management into its expanding precision farming portfolio, Ag Leader has acquired Soil-Max, manufacturer of the market-leading Gold Digger tile plow, and the assets of Gradient, Inc., a related company which revolutionized the control of tile plows with the Intellislope GPS-based control system. These products allow growers and tiling contractors to solve water management challenges very cost effectively by greatly reducing the technical knowledge, labor and time required to install tile.

The acquisition allows Ag Leader to establish a significant footprint into the fast-growing precision water management market, and will serve as a base for developing additional products for other water management tasks such as land leveling, waterway grading, ditching and levee building.

Soil-Max will operate as an independent subsidiary of Ag Leader under the Soil-Max name, continuing to manufacture Gold Digger tile plows from its current locations in Brazil, Ind. and Sioux Falls, S.D. It will maintain its current dealer distribution system – which will be enhanced by the addition of select Ag Leader dealers.

The Intellislope control system will be transitioned to operate on Ag Leader displays in 2012. Intellislope will continue to be available from Soil-Max on Gold Digger plows, and will be available from either Soil-Max or Ag Leader for use on other brands of tile plows.

Ag Leader’s market-leading SMS desktop software will be enhanced to include water management design and documentation functions.

Find out more about the acquisition in this video:

Precision Technology Aids in Farm Safety

Melissa — Fri, 24 Feb 2012 13:11:11 +0000

We’ve all heard the scary statistic that the work farmers do every day to provide our nation with the safest, most abundant food supply in the world is also the most dangerous. That’s right: The National Safety Council’s 2009 edition of Injury Facts ranked agriculture as our nation’s most dangerous industry.

Farmers are continually aware of the personal risk they take to put food on America’s dinner tables. However, there are steps that each and every farmer takes to make sure their farm is safe, the environment is safe, and their equipment is safe. And that includes the use of precision technology.

For example, did you know the VERSA and INTEGRA displays from Ag Leader have four camera inputs to aid in visibility? This provides farmers a better view of equipment operation and safety by allowing them to view live video on the display.

And, guidance features in displays, as well as automated and automatic steering systems, help reduce operator fatigue. That means when the busy spring planting time rolls around and farmers are working long hours, precision ag technology allows them to maintain accuracy with less neck strain. Randy Szczpiorski, farmer from New Carlisle, Ind., said, “It’s just unbelievable that I can turn around and see a corn planter operating. Before I always concentrated on straight rows, but now I can turn around and see that the planter is working properly. At the end of the day, I don’t feel I’ve planted half of what I did. The reduced stress on your neck is quite remarkable.”

As U.S. farmers are being asked to do more with less in order to feed a world that will grow to 8 billion people in the next 14 years, they will have to rely on technology. And with this great burden comes risk. What lengths are you taking to make sure your farm equipment is safe? Ask about precision technology from Ag Leader today.

Planter Down Force Monitor and Control from Ag Leader

Melissa — Fri, 17 Feb 2012 16:11:44 +0000

**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

So what does this mean to you, the grower? You can now make nearly instantaneous changes to the down force while airbags can take several seconds to make an adjustment. This equates to improved planting because seed will be in the ground at exactly the right place at the right time, since field conditions can vary even just several feet down the line. And seconds can really count.

The INTEGRA is also capable of advanced seed monitoring and controlling In-Furrow and Starter fertilizer applications, variable rate population control and other planting functions.

Some advantages of hydraulics:
1. Instantaneous response time allows the system to react to the constantly changing field conditions much faster than pneumatic systems.
2. The Ag Leader system will have very low hydraulic requirements (3 gallons/minute or less vs. hydraulic driven air compressors that can require 8 gallons/minute.)
3. Durable and rugged cast enclosure, so growers don’t have to worry about failures such as airbags that get punctured or wear out over time.
4. Two channels of control allows the system to tailor the down force on the rows at the center of the planter near all load bearing wheel tracks where more down force is needed due to greater soil compaction, as opposed to the wings of the planter.
5. Competitive systems average the needed amount of down force needed regardless of location of the rows on the planter.

Ag Leader is conducting final product evaluations this spring in real-world conditions. Pricing will be released June 1 and the product will be available for purchase in November.

Ag Leader Releases SMS Basic/Advanced Version 11.6

Melissa — Fri, 10 Feb 2012 12:30:34 +0000

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.

Ensuring Consistent Seed Spacing

Melissa — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 12:00:37 +0000

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.

Where to Find Ag Leader in February

Melissa — Fri, 27 Jan 2012 13:23:46 +0000

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.

See you at the show!

Coverage of the Iowa Power Farming Show sponsored by AgLeader

Fine-Tuning Precision Agriculture

Melissa — Fri, 20 Jan 2012 13:57:57 +0000

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.

Prescription Agriculture

Melissa — Fri, 13 Jan 2012 14:01:09 +0000

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.

Feeding an Ever-Expanding World

Melissa — Fri, 06 Jan 2012 14:22:54 +0000

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?

Ag Leader Hosts Winter Dealer Event

Melissa — Fri, 30 Dec 2011 12:48:13 +0000

This December, Ag Leader hosted a dealer event for their Blue Delta Dealers and mid-level dealers. The session aimed at prepping the dealer network for a successful 2012 season and armed them with the knowledge on how to grow and improve on their precision ag businesses.

Lori Costello, Ag Leader marketing communications manager, says this gives Ag Leader dealers an opportunity to network and learn from each other. Listen more about why this dealer network is so important to Ag Leader.

Listen to Costello explain

Costello says Ag Leader strives to do everything they can to help dealer businesses grow because dealers really are the face of the company. When growers have questions about precision ag, they go to their local dealer, not to the corporate office. Listen to more about how Ag Leader is helping dealers position themselves as experts in the business.

Listen to Costello explain

Winter Storage Tips From Ag Leader

Melissa — Fri, 23 Dec 2011 13:02:55 +0000

It’s that time of year again; you are likely getting equipment stored away for the winter season. By taking a few moments to properly store your Ag Leader equipment, you can help ensure continued trouble-free performance of your displays and operating systems as well as GPS and steering equipment:

• It is true GPS equipment like receivers are designed to be weather resistant, but if your equipment will be stored for an extended period of time it is recommended you remove the hardware from your machinery and take it out of the elements.

• When the receivers and other equipment are removed, it is also advised to dock the cabling so it is not exposed to the elements.

• Ag Leader also recommends removing the display as well as the combine grain flow sensor from the combine. This will better protect your touch screen from damage and it will prevent mice from snacking on the potting material on the flow sensor.

Extreme temperatures take a toll on almost everything that surrounds us, and that includes the high-tech electronic equipment found in our tractors, sprayers, spreaders, trucks and combines. Extreme cold will cause parts to shrink and become brittle, as well as allow condensation to form on parts that are not sealed. It’s always a good idea if you’re not using your Ag Leader display to remove it from the vehicle, put it back in its packaging and store in a climate-controlled environment.

• If there is dust or dirt on the screen, first blow it off using non-direct air to remove the dust that could scratch the screen. Then you can use Windex or an electronic cleaner/wipe with a soft, non-abrasive cloth.

• Take extra care when cleaning the equipment to also clean connections and cabling by applying dielectric grease to terminals and contacts. If any of the cables show signs of corrosion, take corrective action now by either providing additional protection from the elements or replacing the cable. While cleaning, also inspect the cables for damage at any pinch points or corners and near moving parts.

• If you’ve already put your combine away for the year, you will want to make sure the Elevator Mount Unit (EMU) on your clean grain elevator is cleaned out. Pull the two retaining pins at the bottom of the EMU to remove the auger. Thoroughly clean all the grain out of the chamber and make sure there is nothing stuck in front of the proximity switch.

• Lastly, the load cell for the flow sensor is surrounded by a protective potting material that can be easily damaged by small rodents. To prevent this, pull the flow sensor off the top of the elevator and store it in the house, shop or a sealable container.
By taking these precautions now, you can help ensure that your equipment will perform properly the next time you use it, and you will also be protecting the investments you have made in your precision agriculture technology.

OptRX Helps Farmers Choose Nitrogen Rates

Melissa — Fri, 16 Dec 2011 16:08:58 +0000

Choosing how much nitrogen (N) to put on corn fields isn’t something farmers take lightly. Many factors go into the decision, including past experiences, the timing of application, yield goals, and results from soil tests.

That’s where crop sensor products such as OptRX from Ag Leader can help. When the OptRx sensors detect healthy plants, the system will call for less N to be applied. When the OptRx sensors see plants that need some help, the system will recommend more N. According to more than 50 on-farm demonstration projects conducted in Missouri from 2004 to 2008, crop sensors can select N rates for corn that outperform those chosen by farmers. Data from the study shows that sensor-selected rates increased yield by almost 2 bushels per acre, on average, while reducing by 25% the amount of excess N that was applied to fields but not removed in grain. (Read the full abstract study here.)

As concerns about N pollution continue to increase, products such as OptRX offer a way to more efficiently apply fertilizer without hurting yield or profits.

Ag Leader helps answer your questions about variable rate N application here.

Protecting Your Seed Investment

Melissa — Fri, 09 Dec 2011 14:10:28 +0000

Think about all the insurance options you have: home, auto, life. You’re protecting your investment, your family and your way of life. How many people have insurance? Millions. Now, how many people use precision ag equipment and are you one of them? The choice should be clear when it comes to purchasing precision ag to protect your seed investment just as you do with insurance for other things in life. Think of precision ag as an insurance policy for the future of your farm operation.

Here are three reasons why Ag Leader Technology feels it’s important to invest in precision ag equipment:

1. The first reason that precision ag is important is to protect your annual investment, whether you farm 500 acres or 5,000. We all know we can’t control Mother Nature and in years of extreme drought or flood or any other “natural” disaster, crop insurance companies are going to need data…data collected by precision ag equipment, such as the Ag Leader INTEGRA or VERSA display, to verify acres planted. Combined with the SMS™ software, providing the necessary information to satisfy government reporting needs is easy. Find out more here.

Without precision ag, you have to rely on your paper trail of seed receipts to show what you’d invested in that field. In this case, precision ag can save you time, headache and money.

2. The second reason is it protects your farm from over-spending on crop inputs. Application of fertilizer and pesticides shouldn’t be a guessing game. There are many precision ag products on the market – DirectCommand™ and OptRX™ crop sensors are two examples — that help you apply exactly the right amount in exactly the right place, saving you on input costs and helping you be a better steward of the land. After all, farmers are the world’s best environmentalists, right?

3. When considering precision ag equipment, it comes down to dollars and cents. And as farmers are faced with feeding the world, and an ever-increasing population, they must do more with less. That doesn’t mean you need to be bigger, that just means you need to be more efficient.

So contact your Ag Leader dealer for more information and start protecting your investment today!

Differential Correction Sources – Which One is Right For Me?

Melissa — Fri, 02 Dec 2011 14:31:42 +0000

Many times when growers who are new to precision agriculture start to think of how to apply the technologies available on their farms, they struggle with choosing the correct level of precision for their intended use of technology. There are many service options available and depending on what you plan to do with it, this choice will make or break the success you will have with your new purchase.

The three dominant GPS differential correction sources available are WAAS, OmniSTAR and RTK. The differences between the three can be substantial.

Matt Pifkin, Ag Leader machine guidance support supervisor, briefly explains all three correction sources.

Listen to Pifkin explain

We also asked Matt how a grower knows what’s right for their operation.

Listen to Pifkin explain

Click here to learn more about Ag Leader GPS receiver products to satisfy your GPS needs at all levels of precision utilization.

Where to Find Ag Leader This Winter

Melissa — Fri, 25 Nov 2011 13:31:40 +0000

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:

• Amarillo Farm & Ranch Show – Amarillo, Texas
The 27th Annual Amarillo Farm and Ranch Show will take place Nov. 29 – Dec. 1 at the Amarillo Civic Center in Amarillo, Texas. The event encompasses every aspect of farming and ranching, and is a one-stop show for attendees to interact with manufacturers, obtain necessary CEU credits and network with other producers in the region.

• Greater Peoria Farm Show – Peoria, Illinois
The 30th Annual Greater Peoria Farm Show will be open Nov. 29, 30, & Dec. 1, 2011 at the Peoria Civic Center.

• Farm Forum Event – Saskatoon, Saskatchewan
The Farm Forum Event takes place Nov. 29 – Dec. 1. The goal is to send every participant home armed with new ideas and knowledge that will help them make wise decisions, achieve greater profitability, and reach their lifestyle goals too.

• Ag Retailers Association – Boca Raton, Florida
The Ag Retailers Association Annual Meeting takes place Nov. 29 – Dec. 1. The 2011 ARA Conference & Expo, Growing a Sustainable Business, examines the major pillars of sustainability— social, economic and environmental—from three unique perspectives including your customers, consumers and the Government.

• Nebraska Power Farming Show – Lincoln, Nebraska
The Nebraska Power Farming Show happens Dec. 6-8. The show is the largest indoor farm show west of the Missouri River and fourth largest in the country.

If you’re on the road this winter 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.

See you at the show!

Changes to Ag Leader Support Schedule

Melissa — Fri, 18 Nov 2011 12:41:56 +0000

Late November and December are particularly busy months for Ag Leader’s Technical Support department, as they are currently making preparations for Dealer Training 2012. Here’s a head’s up so you can plan ahead.

The Customer Support hours have been adjusted back to a normal operating schedule: Monday-Friday, 7am to 6pm CDT. During this time, Technical Support will be available to help with any late harvest and fall fertilizer application questions, as well as any pre-spring planting questions.

The weekend schedule is also about to change; Saturday, November 19th will be the last Saturday that they are open for the year. Technical Support will not be open November 24th and 25th, so be sure to get your questions answered before Thanksgiving!

Nathan Tebbe, Ag Leader Technical Support Supervisor, says tech support conducts training in an ongoing effort to better serve their customers.

Listen to Tebbe explain

As part of preparation for the 2012 growing season, the Hardware and GPS Technical Support teams will also be completing several hours of internal staff training. Tebbe says internal staff training days help ensure technicians have the resources and information they need to efficiently assist Ag Leader dealers and customers with technical questions. Listen to Tebbe explain During these training sessions, Technical Support for hardware and GPS products will not be available, so plan ahead to get your questions answered.

And with colder temperatures here and the crops out of the field, fall application will soon be in full swing. Here are some safety tips for fall application. When transitioning from harvest to fall application, there are also a few things to remember to keep your data in order and prevent downtime in the field. Read more here.

Again, you can reach Ag Leader Customer Support at 515-232-5363 or support@agleader.com.

Is the Ag Leader VERSA™ display right for me?

Melissa — Fri, 11 Nov 2011 16:08:37 +0000

Ag Leader Technology, Inc. recently introduced the new VERSA™ display which features a large full-color 8.4-inch touchscreen and multiple language options. The new VERSA is a precision farming tool for farmers and growers who want year-round operation control, as well as integrated guidance and steering. Monitoring and application control is also included in the VERSA package.

We caught up with Lori Costello, Ag Leader marketing communications manager, at the National Association of Farm Broadcasting meeting in Kansas City. She tells us more about what type of grower can benefit the most from using the VERSA display.

Listen to Costello explain

Costello says the VERSA is a good fit for growers with 500 acres or less.

Listen to Costello explain

Webster defines versatile as having many uses or applications and Costello says that’s the right description for the VERSA display. It fits every color, every vehicle and growers from those just entering the precision ag field to those who are more well-versed in the technology.

Listen to Costello explain

Taking a look at the relevancy and importance of precision ag as it relates to an ever-growing population here in the United States, Costello tells us that precision technology isn’t a luxury, it’s a necessity.

Listen to Costello explain

Ag Leader Announces VERSA™ Display

Melissa — Fri, 04 Nov 2011 11:53:18 +0000

Ag Leader Technology, Inc., is excited to introduce the latest innovation in precision farming – the new VERSA™ display. It features a large full-color 8.4-inch touchscreen and multiple language options. The new VERSA is a versatile precision farming tool for farmers and growers who want year-round operation control, as well as integrated guidance and steering. Monitoring and application control is also included in the VERSA package.

Click here to watch the tutorial video.

“The VERSA display was designed to be flexible enough to meet the unique needs of different operations,” says Matt Leinen, Product Manager. “The VERSA display’s ability to perform guidance and automated steering control makes it a smart investment for those looking for the versatility of a full-featured precision/guidance system. It’s also a great investment for experienced precision farming operators who need displays for additional vehicles or just want an easy-to-use input cost-saving solution.”

The key features of the VERSA display include compatibility with ISO 11783 (ISOBUS) Virtual Terminal Standard, built-in manual guidance, full-screen mapping, planter and application control, yield monitoring, real-time data logging and automated steering.

“As part of the full-screen mapping package, the VERSA display provides multiple map views allowing the operator to determine the level of detail needed to monitor applications. Implement-specific tabs can be minimized to view more mapping information, if desired,” Matt Leinen added.

The display also features four video camera inputs, providing operators a better view of equipment operation and safety. And like many other Ag Leader products, the VERSA display can be easily moved from vehicle to vehicle.

Ag Leader Releases SMS Version 11.5

Melissa — Fri, 28 Oct 2011 11:53:19 +0000

Ag Leader Technology recently released Version 11.5 of the SMS Desktop Software, which offers many new features and benefits to help improve the operation and interface of the software. Whether it is data from planting, fertilizing, spraying, harvest or guidance, SMS houses and organizes the data for easy access. Ag Leader has also released Mobile SMS Version 5.5.

Luke James, Ag Leader Software Sales Specialist, highlights the benefits and features of the new software.
Listen to James explain

Highlights of SMS Basic and Advanced Version 11.5 include:
• The ability to download soil type information directly into SMS
• The capability to add project functionality into SMS Basic
• Functionality to allow for multiple data locations

James gives growers a bird’s eye view of some of the benefits to the Mobile software.
Listen to more from James

Mobile Version 5.5 new features include:
• The ability to view a split screen for certain operations
• The ability to transfer settings between SMS mobile projects

Bottom line to growers – what do these upgrades mean? James explains. Listen to James here

James lets growers know how to go about receiving this updated software. Listen to James explain

Click here for an instructional video about SMS Version 11.5 and Mobile Version 5.5.