Precision Pays

Farmers wanting to see how other farmers are using new technologies like precision agriculture can see and hear it from the folks at Successful Farming. It’s called the Crop Tech Tour. Regular updates are printed in the magazine but for the most up to date information you’ll need to keep your eye on Agriculture Online where they’ll be posting pictures, stories, audio and video. The idea got started in 2007 and will continue with John Deere’s sponsoring support this year. Tours are planned in all areas of the corn belt.

I spoke with Agriculture Online editor John Walter about the project. He describes what farmers can expect with the work they’re doing on this project. For example, John says that there’s a lot of drama out on the land this year and they’ll be documenting how farmers are reacting to the challenges. Helping them in the effort will be Certified Crop Advisers who will be acting as the “eyes and ears” on the farm. He says they’re not trying to demonstrate new technology but document how it’s being used since farmers have made it clear to them that they are excited to get an online, interactive view of what’s going on, especially from other farmers.

When it comes to precision he says they’re conducting a survey of farmers which so far shows that they’re most interested in proving that yield and data collection analysis benefits them financially. He says that over half are very interested in auto guidance systems.

You can listen to my interview with John here: John Walter Interview (14 minute MP3)

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The key to maximizing corn yields.

Planting is complete, fields have been sprayed for weeds and insects, and as you drive by your fields and gaze at the first three rows of healthy corn from your truck window, everything looks as it should…but is it? It’s impossible to know exactly what is going on throughout your entire field, but you can’t forget about your crops after planting and spraying is complete. With high corn prices, you have the potential to make record profits with continued mid- to late-season crop management.

Good crop management is vital to a successful growing season, from planting all the way through harvest. One way to maximize the investment in a field is by using aerial images, which help identify varying nitrogen needs across a field. This proven technology also pin-points specific areas of a field that either require more nitrogen or other inputs, or segments that already have what they need.

The John Deere Agri Services OptiGro™ system gives growers a “bird’s eye” view of plant needs during the season. “It’s impossible for anyone to predict exactly how much fertilizer is appropriate for different parts of the field,” says Dr. Tracy Blackmer, Iowa Soybean Association. “Having the infrared imagery that will tell you how well the crop is doing is just a whole new level of management.”

In the same regard, growers are always looking for ways to maximize yield, especially with soaring corn prices. Aerial imagery is able to detect revealing information about each field, and when used appropriately with accurate interpretation, it is easier to detect nitrogen needs in corn plants.

Learning how to better manage nitrogen is an area growers are looking to improve. “I definitely see that it’s going to add to the bottom line. It’s going to help me manage, season-long, my nitrogen inputs that I haven’t been able to do in the past. There was just no way to do it and now there is a way,” says Bob Wieland, corn and soybean grower from Laura, Ill. “But together, I think that we can really optimize these yields.”

As you begin the final stretch of this growing season, don’t forget about your crop – nitrogen management must be maintained until tasseling. So the next time you’re driving by your crops, remember that OptiGro imaging can see more than you can.

Corn growers wanting more information about remote sensing and a list of local providers for the OptiGro system should visit www.JohnDeereAgriServices.com, e-mail AgriServices@JohnDeere.com or call 800-518-0472.

(click on links to hear audio sound bites from Blackmer and Wieland)

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John Deere has just introduced a completely new line of sprayers – the 4730, 4830 and 4930 Series Self–Propelled Sprayers.

According to Deere, this new line–up sets new standards for sprayer performance, versatility and productivity.

“We’ve put together a complete family of self–propelled sprayers to meet the productivity demands of all markets, from growers to commercial applicators,” says Craig Weynand, product marketing manager, John Deere Des Moines Works.. “And all the sprayers are loaded with integrated performance–enhancing technology which includes precision guidance, mapping and variable rate software. These machines truly are the most efficient sprayers ever built by John Deere.”

The 4830 also features the standard GreenStar 2™ monitor pre–loaded with precision guidance, mapping, and variable rate software. The optional Boom Trac Pro automatic boom leveling maintains a consistent height over the crop while Swath Control Pro automatically turns nozzle sections on and off at end rows, waterways and other non–spray areas. This intelligent technology is designed to help operators cover more acres in less time, spray product more efficiently and reduce operator fatigue with the assisted–steering system of optional AutoTrac™.

Read more about these new sprayers on John Deere’s website.

Lyle Romaine with American Ag Network recently talked with one of the John Deere/American Soybean Association (ASA) Reach for the Stars contest winners. Colin Dutenhoffer of Aberdeen, S.D. says he is impressed with John Deere’s AutoTrac System.

“I’m able to set a line in my field, punch a button, tell it I want to go from this end to that end,” he says. “I can take my time to watch the planter or whatever machine I’m pulling and not have to worry about missing something.”

Dutenhoffer says the AutoTrac was very helpful in helping him to replant this season.

Listen here to Lyle’s interview with Colin here: Colin Dutenhoffer (2 min mp3)

Stay tuned to PrecisionPays for more interviews throughout the 2007 growing season with the Reach for the Stars winners.

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Precision technology can do a lot of things, but so far it can’t make rain. So, Roger Godwin of Pelham, Georgia has not been able to do much with his new John Deere a premium-level precision ag system since his area has received no rain since March 3 of this year!

As one of this year’s “Reach for the Stars” winners, Roger received the use of aGreenStar™ AutoTrac™ Assisted Steering System with an AutoTrac Universal Steering Kit, a StarFire™ iTC receiver, and a John Deere SF2 signal activation; a GreenStar™ 2 System, which includes a GreenStar Display 2600 and preloaded GreenStar Basics software; and GreenStar Apex Farm Management Software for this year.

Roger is no stranger to precision technology, and in fact, has been using it for the past five years. He grows cotton, peanuts, corn, soybeans, wheat and more on his farm in southwest Georgia.

Here is a short report I did with him for Southeast Agnet radio network last week: SE Agnet Report (1 min mp3)

We’ll be hearing more from Roger in future posts, so stay tuned!

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Rick Crawford, broadcaster with AgWatch Radio Network, recently caught up with one of the John Deere/American Soybean Association (ASA) Reach for the Stars contest winners. Nathan Wright, Harrisburg, Ark., who farms over 3,000 acres, recently started using his John Deere AutoTrac System.

Listen here to Rick’s interview with Nathan: Nathan Wright (1 min mp3)

Stay tuned to PrecisionPays for more interviews throughout the 2007 growing season with the Reach for the Stars winners.

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John Deere’s iTEC Pro (intelligent Total Equipment Control) is a completely automated system that can be used on 8030 Series Wheel Tractors with integrated AutoTrac. The system not only guides the tractor precisely through the field, but also automates implement controls, ground speed, and end turns at headland and interior boundaries.

Check out the YouTube video to see and hear what one iTEC Pro user has to say about it. The video clip was sent in by Chris Horob, John Deere AMS Regional Specialist in Fargo, ND and created with the help of AMS consultant Brian Verkuehlen of RDO Equipment, who provides the commentary by voice mail. The video was shot in various locations around Minnesota with a digital camera and edited on a Mac.

Anybody else out there have some precision agriculture video they would like to share? Let us know – we’d love to use it here on PrecisionPays! Email your video to Melissa.

Darrell Anderson, Successful Farming Radio Magazine, caught up with Kayla Reynolds, Product Manager, Equipment Management for John Deere Ag Management Solutions, at the National Association of Farm Broadcasting Trade Talk session in Kansas City in November. Kayla gives an overview of iTec Pro, which turns equipment automatically at the end of the row, making growers more efficient, allowing inputs to be put down exactly where you want it in the field, and come back in with future applications in the exact same spot.

Listen here to Kayla’s interview: Successful Farming Radio (1:30 min mp3)

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Here’s a little video vignette that will be airing on AgDay about John Deere’s Swath Control Pro.

See it in action and listen to Deere’s Kyle Collins talk about how it works.

AgDay Video (1 min wmv)

Want to find out more about precision agriculture in living color? You can on March 19th at 8 pm Eastern.

Tune in to RFD-TV “Live” with John Deere and learn how easy it can be to put today’s precision ag technologies to work in your operation.

They will take a look at some of the common misconceptions surrounding precision ag technologies and show you how these time, labor and money-saving technologies can be incorporated into a wide range of farming operations.

Plus, you can call in and visit with a panel of experts who will answer your precision farming questions.

Don’t miss “Precision Farming – It’s not for me, is it?”, hosted by Farm Broadcaster Max Armstrong on RFD-TV “Live” with John Deere – Monday, March 19th at 8 p.m Eastern.

This Precision Ag Minute is about how John Deere’s AutoTrac system is a good investment.

Peter Shinn with Brownfield Network talked to Burt Heinrick of Texas about how the system helped him see immediate results. “In today’s time in agriculture, we can’t mess around too much. We gotta get ‘er done,” says Heinrick.

You can listen to the latest Precision Ag Minute here: Precision Ag Minute 3 (1 min mp3)

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Here is a short sound bite, courtesy of Cyndi Young with Brownfield Network, that explains the advantage of John Deere’s OptiGro System for corn and wheat growers in less than 30 seconds. Jeff Kaiser with John Deere’s Agri Services does the explaining.

“The real difference is getting an image when you want it and getting it quickly after it’s taken,” Jeff says. “You can order it on Monday, get it back on Wednesday. You can have a sprayer in there Wednesday afternoon spraying nitrogen on the crop if you need to.”

Cyndi interviewed Jeff at the Commodity Classic in Tampa. Jeff Kaiser (:30 mp3)

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The industry leader in sprayers is even better with precision technology.

The John Deere 4720 was on display at the 2007 Commodity Classic, pictured here with Craig Weynand, Division Marketing Manager for John Deere Sprayers. Weynand says the 4720 is their most popular sprayer, “This machine is really tailored to the corn and soybean producer in the Midwest and the cotton producer in the South.”

Precision technology like GreenStar™ AutoTrac assisted steering system and Swath Control Pro make the 4720 even more popular.

Swath Control Pro controls boom sections in the 4720 and 4920 Self Propelled Sprayers. Swath Control Pro utilizes Global Positioning System to turn boom sections on and off automatically, according to a coverage map where the operator and machine have previously applied product or created an internal or external boundaries that is not to be sprayed.

Listen to an interview with Craig about John Deere sprayers. Craig interview (5 min mp3)

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There are about 100 agricultural reporters attending the 2007 Commodity Classic this week in Tampa who are busy writing, recording and photographing the events and products to bring back to those who are unable to attend. Many of those reporters were on hand Friday for the introduction of John Deere’s OptiGro System for corn and wheat growers.

John Mann, Vice President of Strategic Marketing for John Deere Agri-Services, told the press conference how the OptiGro system can help growers realize significant nitrogen savings at crucial times in the growing season. “It’s the ability to put the nutrients in the right place at the right time for the right cost,” he said.

The way it works is digital aerial photographs are taken of a field and the information is relayed back to an agronomic adviser online. Special software (the OptiGro Zone Maker program) translates the images into management zones with similar plant characteristics, based on reflected light.

“The advisor then checks the zones and scouts the fields to determine crop needs and writes a prescription for each zone,” Mann says.

Reporters had lots of good questions for Mann. For instance, how is this system being delivered to growers? “We want to give growers the ability to work with the person they are most familiar with,” said Mann. That can be a local John Deere dealer, an agronomic advisor or a certified staff crop advisor. “The only thing that we ask is that there be some type of precision ag expertise in the loop,” Mann said.

As for price, Mann says it varies, but is “somewhere in the 2 1/4 to 3 1/2 an acre range.”

Find out more at John Deere AgriServices online.

Listen to Mann’s full press conference, including answers to questions from the reporters – although the questions were not audible so have been edited out. John Mann Press Conference (15 min mp3)

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One of the WIN Sessions at the Commodity Classic on Friday was focused on John Deere’s Swath Control Pro for planters. The presentation, given by Kyle Collins with John Deere’s Ag Management Solutions, explained to the group how the Swath Control technology can allow for more use of seed to help growers improve planter performance for optimal plant emergence and potential yields.

“We introduced Swath Control Pro at Commodity Classic last year for sprayers,” said Collins. “It’s been getting a lot of excitement ever since. Growers just like how it’s saving them money.”

The same concept that Swath Control Pro uses with sprayers to turn boom sections on and off, based on GPS information using GreenStar 2 Rate Controller technology, will now be able to turn planter sections on and off to help growers minimize double planting in headland areas. Collins demonstrated what the system looks like with a side-by-side video showing the planter in the field and the layout of the field on the display monitor as it went through and automatically turned off over areas the grower did not want to have planted and then turning back on.

The system can be adapted to John Deere, Kinze and Deere-Bauer-built planters.

Swath Control Pro for planters will be tested on select farms throughout North America this season to be available for purchase in time for the 2008 planting season. Find out more here – Swath Control Pro.