Precision Pays

South Dakota State University (SDSU) Extension’s 13th annual Precision Ag Conference is set for Feb. 22 in Aberdeen S.D.

The one-day event is designed to provide producers with the latest in precision ag research, technology, equipment and information through presentations and a trade show.

The program will include presentations on Making ‘Cents’ out of Yield Data, Mapping and Interpreting Yield Maps, Precision Ag – Machinery Innovations for the Future, Ag Information Systems of the Future, The Miracle of Modern Agriculture. Concurrent sessions will feature industry updates from a number of companies including Ag Leader Technologies, Raven Applied Technologies, and John Deere/RDO Equipment.

The conference opens at 7:30 a.m. at the Best Western Ramkota Inn with registration and coffee and presentations will begin at 9:00.

Pre-registration cost for the event is $20 before Feb.15. The cost at the door is $25 per person. For more information contact Mark Rosenberg at the SDSU Aberdeen Regional Extension Center – mark.rosenberg@sdstate.edu.

It is hard to believe that the AgWired App has been out for over a year! And the company staking an immediate sponsorship claim was and still is Raven, Precision Simplified. To learn how Raven has just “Simplified” their website and sees social media as a great opportunity to engage with their customers I spoke with Paul Welbig, Director of Marketing and Slingshot Operations. He says that as it relates to information, reaching customers and new technology, the sponsorship of our smartphone application fit right in with Raven’s strategy moving forward, “We thought it was a great avenue to communicate with customers through that venue because a lot of those customers using those types of tools are also going to be customers using Raven and the Slingshot solution in the future.” When it comes to social media Paul says Raven has ample evidence that it is helping them engage with their customers, “That’s what it’s all about is making those connections and really helping support those folks as well.” He says Raven actively watches their social media channels and responds quickly to their customers. You can find Raven on Twitter here and here and on Facebook here.

When it comes to the new Raven website Paul says they’ve included a brand new section that provides technical help which you can find at RavenHelp.com. The company is also running a promotion right now where farmers can enter to win a complete RTK system that includes: Cruizer II™ guidance with sub-inch RTK accuracy — delivered by Slingshot® via wireless networks. The company will be exhibiting at a majority of the winter farm shows if you need to see them in person. You can find their schedule here.

Listen to my conversation with Paul and learn more about what’s going on with Raven: Raven Simplified

I attended the International Federation of Agricultural Journalists (IFAJ) Congress in Canada last week. While there I got to spend a day at Canada’s Outdoor Farm Show. It was a beautiful day but we only had a few hours to wander this very large farm show.

The Raven Precision exhibit banners caught my eye so I stopped in for a visit and met Michel St-Georges a precision ag specialist. Michel describes what was on display for farmers who came to their tent. He says AutoBoom is the top thing farmers are asking about.

You can listen to my interview with Michel here: Interview with Michel St-Georges

2011 IFAJ Congress Photo Album

It was obvious at the recent InfoAg Conference that developing industry standards, data sharing capability, connectivity and software integration are the hottest topics in precision ag technology right now.

In this edition of the Precision Pays Podcast, sponsored by Ag Leader Technology, we hear from Kelby Kleinsasser, director of Ag Information for Raven Industries and chairman of the Precision Ag Council of AgGateway, an organization of ag technology companies working together to find solutions that will allow the sharing of data while keeping proprietary information protected. Kelby gave a presentation at the conference on Slingshot API platform, which is designed to bridge the information gap between activity in the field and existing software at the office.

Listen to Kelby’s update in this Precision Pays Podcast. Precision Pays Podcast

You can subscribe to the Precision Pays Podcast here.

More reliability, efficiency and control are what Raven Industries promises growers can get with the new OmniSeed Advanced Air Seeder Control System, just introduced this week.

“OmniSeed allows for variable rate technology, it’s a very scalable system with a lot of unique features on it that we think are going to be pretty popular in the air seeder market,” Raven’s Ryan Molitor said in an interview. The system consists of various components, including the Viper Pro Field Computer which Ryan says is the brains of the system, and Run Blockage powered by AgTron.

Ryan says the system is surprisingly simple to set up and easy to use. “And we have a vast dealer network throughout the world that is trained up and ready to service and support at point of sale and after,” he said.

Find out more about OmniSeed on the RavenPrecision.com website and listen to my interview with Ryan about the system here: Raven OmniSeed System

Raven Industries is a proud supporter of the Agwired app for iPhone and Droid. Don’t have it yet? Join the hundreds who do today and get Agwired, PrecisionPays, WorldDairyDiary and DomesticFuel news fast and easy on your smart phone! Click here.

Raven Industries is excited to announce new Fleet View applications on its Slingshot platform which will allow for simple and affordable tracking of all types of machines, assets and support vehicles used for various farming applications. A new Fleet View only version of the Field Hub, coupled with free access to the new Fleet View Basic application on Slingshot, provides a cost efficient and upgradable version of the Field Hub currently used to deliver RTK, File Transfer and Remote Support services.

Fleet View Basic is the online application that gives managers visibility into their fleets at a whole new level, allowing users to track vehicle locations from the home or office — or anywhere with an internet connection. From here users will be able to view a vehicle’s current status, speed, direction of travel, latitude, longitude, wireless signal strength, and even historical maps to track where vehicles have been.

The Fleet View Field Hub, priced at $995, offers upgrade options that include a high performance antenna system for enhanced performance and signal strength as well as a Slingshot RTK upgrade kit for full RTK and Online capabilities. Once the remote upgrade is complete users will be able to utilize the RTK services, data transfer, remote support, API and all of the other capabilities provided by Slingshot. Customers interested in Fleet View, or other Slingshot product offerings, should contact a local Slingshot dealer, call us toll free at (800) 243-5435, or visit www.ravenslingshot.com for more information.

During the recent Commodity Classic which was held in Tampa, FL, I spoke with Ryan Molitor, Raven Industries. Ryan is actually in the background of this photo of their booth. He and I seem to run into each other at shows all over the country and at all times of the year. So I asked him what’s different about this event and what are the farmers he’s talking to most interested in. He says they’re most interested is their OmniRow advanced planter control system. Since the show takes place prior to the new planting season that sure makes sense. He says that the large acreage farmers attending like the features that includes variable rate by individual row. It just provides a lot of flexibility. And of course planting leads into auto steering . . .

You can listen to my interview with Ryan here: Ryan Molitor Interview

Raven is the sponsor of the AgWired iPhone App on which you can find Precision Pays news.

NovAtel Inc., and Raven Industries are pleased to announce a new strategic partnership that will see NovAtel’s industry leading Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) positioning technology integrated into Raven’s comprehensive line of precision agriculture products. The convergence of these two industry innovators is expected to drive new growth opportunities for both companies, and benefit customers by achieving further efficiencies in their agricultural operations.

The home of Apache Sprayers is Equipment Technologies, based in Indiana. I spoke with Kevin Covey and Jake Ridenour at the National Farm Machinery Show and learned that they’ve created a Raven Slingshot network over all of Indiana and Ohio!

They said that using the Slingshot technology they’ve deployed base stations to provide overlapping 30 mile RTK coverage areas. This means that a customer with a Slingshot hub in their tractor will be able to receive RTK correction along with a variety of other services. Besides receiving information the customer can then send information back after completing a job. I like the idea that the hubs also include a high speed internet connection too!

You can listen to my interview with Kevin and Jake here: Equipment Technologies Interview

2011 National Farm Machinery Show Photo Album

Precision Pays coverage of the National Farm Machinery Show is sponsored by:

Raven Industries has announced a new partner, BDStar Navigation, will be the exclusive distributor in China for Raven precision ag products, including SmarTrax RTK™and Cruizer II™, and will help solidify Raven’s position as a leading international provider of precision agriculture products.

“We’re very excited to enter into this new market and the opportunities it brings for both Raven and our new partners at BDStar,” said Matt Burkhart, Vice President and General Manager for Raven Industries, Applied Technology Division. “Our continued partnerships and growth in international markets show our commitment to being a global provider of precision technologies, benefiting growers and operations throughout the world.”

A more precise application will offer growers better yields, and customers will see an immediate return on investment with their Raven precision products through reduced waste and input costs, including fuel and operator fatigue. This new product offering is available today through the BDStar distribution network.

Take a look at a story in Indiana Prairie Farmer that selected ten different agricultural technologies of interest this year.

They listed:
- Raven Sling Shot system
- Connected Farm concept
- GSI Binspector
- Grain entrapment rescue tubes
- Votivo nematicide seed treatment
- SmartStax corn
- Agrisure Viptera trait
- Surveillance sunglasses
- Vertical till revolution
- Kixor herbicide technology

Read on to learn why.

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.

A new line of Apache sprayers was showcased by Equipment Technologies at the recent Farm Progress Show. Three new models offer wide-ranging engineering and design changes to improve value, reliability and ruggedness.

As one of Raven’s largest OEM customers, Equipment Technologies can factory install the following precision options on any Apache model: SmarTrax auto-steering, the SCS 5000 application rate controller, the EnvizioPro or ViperPro field computer and the AutoBoom and AccuBoom boom controls.

The Apache sprayer has earned a reputation for its affordability, reliability and ruggedness. Now, the AS720, AS1020 and AS1220 models incorporate engineering and design refinements that make them more affordable, more reliable and more rugged than ever before. National Sales Manager, Paul Nielsen explains, “The 2011 model year represents the culmination of years of customer feedback and planning.” Nielsen adds, “It is truly rewarding to see all these changes come together without compromising what makes the Apache special and that is the promise of efficiency and R.O.I. – doing more with less. Our customer, the farmer who considers himself a business man, appreciates that and we are proud to be able to deliver on our promise of the best value in the industry in such a big way.”

Specific design enhancements for all three 2011 Apache models include:

All-new cab:
4-point mounted cab. The cab is now fulcrum-mounted at four points. Combined with a wider stance, this reduces the g-forces felt by the operator by 37.5% which makes for the Apache’s most comfortable ride yet.

Improved visibility and larger floor plate. The all-new, custom cab boasts a 12% increase in overall floor space. With the wrap-around glass, the operator is given an improved view of the front wheels as well as a better view of the booms.

Noise reduction. Noise sources such as the engine and exhaust have been moved farther from the operator resulting in a 9% reduction of in-cab noise.

Cab entry. The new Apaches feature a rear-hinged door and larger catwalk to maneuver in- and out of the cab.

Seat and “buddy-seat.” With the increase in floor space, the new Apaches provide a “buddy-seat” for safer learning and instruction.

HVAC and electronics. HVAC adjustments have been placed in the steering column and the electronics are CAN-ready.

Chassis, product tank and options:

Axle widths. Applicators can now choose between a 120″ fixed axle or an adjustable axle that allows widths between 120″ and 160.” These new adjustable configurations provide increased options for an array of row spacings and a wider stance for increased stability.

Lighting. The 2011 Apaches feature better illumination in- and outside the cab with a 22% increase in the number of bulbs compared to last year’s base lighting package. All exterior lights except the hood lights are adjustable and are dual-beam Hella bulbs.

Custom, UV product tank. A custom, roto-mold tank has been introduced for the 2011 model year. It is contoured to the chassis and no longer utilizes a tank skid. This allows the tank to be lowered and contributes to better visibility of the booms, a lower center of gravity and a better ride.

Fill station. The new and improved fill station features a more intuitive layout and an LED lighting system so operators can quickly, accurately and safely get busy spraying at all times of the day and night.

Larger rinse tank. The Apache now comes with a 100-gal rinse tank.

Power train improvements for the AS1020 and AS1220:

While the AS720 with 42″ crop clearance can still be purchased with an ITL/JCB transmission, it is the introduction of the ZF transmission on the AS1020 and AS1220 models that pushes the efficiency of the Apache’s legendary mechanical drive to new levels. The AS1020 and AS1220′s ZF transmissions feature a lock-up torque converter that allows for as much as a 26% increase in the ratio of power supplied to power used compared to the 2010 model year. The result is more power to the ground than ever before which gives the operator increased traction in a variety of ground conditions. Another benefit of the Apache’s re-engineered drive train is an increase in fuel economy of an estimated 9.3% on the AS1020 and 17.4% on the AS1220 at optimum spraying speeds of 12 to 16 miles per hour.

Equipment Technologies is the largest independently-owned manufacturer of self-propelled sprayers in North America. Operating from its 108,000 square foot headquarters in Mooresville, Ind., the company distributes its sprayers throughout North America, Ukraine and Australia through a network of independent dealers.

For additional information, visit the Equipment Technologies website at www.etsprayers.com.

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

Ag Leader’s popular EDGE display can now be used to control two product applications simultaneously.

Chemical Injection
Dual product control in the EDGE display will support sprayer control of a liquid carrier and a single injection pump. Like other Ag Leader products, the EDGE display’s DirectCommand system now interfaces to the Raven Sidekick chemical injection pump for complete control over chemical injection applications. The EDGE display and CAN module will replace the Sidekick Console, directly connecting to the injection pump. Automated prime and calibration routines as well as advanced sensor diagnostics are part of the new functionality. This addition can be used for herbicide, fungicide, and insecticide as well as nitrogen stabilizer injection application.

Granular Fertilizer Application
Dual product control also means two channels of granular product control in the EDGE display. Operators have the ability to apply two products simultaneously at varying rates, either manually or using a prescription. The most common applications of this feature will be in spinner spreader and strip-till operations.

“We continually strive to provide practical solutions to enhance user-experience and productivity,” says John Howard, Product Manager for Ag Leader. “The addition of dual product application control combined with existing EDGE display functionality provides an economical solution with the tools to achieve this.”

Additional functionality of the EDGE display includes SeedCommand, DirectCommand, yield monitoring, guidance and steering capabilities. In addition, the EDGE display is plug compatible with Ag Leader’s INTEGRA and InSight displays; this gives users who wish to upgrade in the future a seamless transition.