3 New Technologies to Increase Insights and Reduce Costs
Ag cooperative Ceres Solutions recently held a technology field day at their Crops 63 location. Here are three technologies they’re testing that can help farmers increase their field insights while saving money on input and operating costs.
See & Spray
John Deere’s See & Spray Ultimate could save growers 60% on post-emergence herbicides. The technology uses 36 cameras to target and spray weeds, instead of the entire field.
“If there are 100 acres, we may only be spraying 40 acres worth of chemicals because that’s where the technology is seeing weeds,” says Doug Galloway of AHW, an Indiana and Illinois John Deere dealership.
See & Spray Ultimate came into full production in 2023 and is being updated as improvements are made. It is currently used in corn, soybean and cotton fields and available both directly to growers and through retailers.
The technology is registered to spray pre-canopy in up to 30-inch corn and soybeans, and the cameras on the machine are proven to spot weeds ranging from ¼ inch to full size at 12.5 mph.
While See & Spray Ultimate will only come on a new sprayer, See & Spray Premium can be added to certain existing sprayers through a precision improvement plan.
To learn more, visit John Deere’s website or check out one of The Scoop’s previous stories on See & Spray:
What Can Ag Retailers Charge For Latest Spraying Technology?
Texas Grower Puts John Deere’s See and Spray Technology to the Test
On Target: John Deere's Latest Green-On-Green Spraying Innovation
Soiltech
Soiltech is offering a mobile, easy-to-install and cost-effective way to monitor your crops.
Their device, called a “beacon”, is a handheld sensor that is planted, harvested, transported and stored with your crops. It collects data such as temperature, humidity, moisture, and other factors that could impact crop quality. An app and web dashboard allow growers and retailers to view and analyze the data.
The device is 6.5 in. tall by 4.75 in. wide and its battery has a 12–16-month lifespan before needing to be recharged. Soiltech is exploring solar-powered and plug-in options to further avoid disturbing the soil.
The company began selling these devices in 2020 and currently has over 3,000 in use. The devices work in any crop – including potatoes, corn, soybeans, fruits, tree crops, etc.
In addition to convenience, the device is also considerably less expensive than other sensors on the market: $500. An optional antenna is $60 and the subscription to the app and web dashboard is $99 annually.
This product is available both directly to growers and through retailers. To learn more, visit Soiltech’s website.
EarthOptics
EarthOptics is a new way to sample soil that reduces cost and increases accuracy.
“Folks are paying for the soil sampling they can afford as opposed to soil sampling they may want or need to make the best agronomic decisions year after year,” Brittany Buchanan of EarthOptics says. “This technology advancement can move the industry in a direction of more regular soil sampling and more accurate, more precise soil sampling.”
The company’s soil sensor is called GroundOwl, which mounts to an ATV, tractor or side-by-side to measure soil compaction, changes in soil texture, carbon content, conductivity and nutrient properties.
GroundOwl collects over 16 data points every second, making the data more specific than traditional sampling. This allows users to make targeted decisions to small regions for seed, fertilizer or lime placements.
EarthOptics measures and maps the soil and looks to farm advisors to leverage the data and make recommendations. For more information, visit their website.
