Variable Rate Technology

Defend Every Bushel With A Proactive Disease Plan

Wed, 08 Apr 2026 17:36:22 GMT

Addressing corn disease pressure in-season is rarely a matter of “if” and more likely “when.” Coming off heavy disease pressure from 2025, now is the time to put your plan together for how you’ll address challenges like northern corn leaf blight, tar spot and others this season. Plan your moves with these five recommendations, so you are ready to take action when disease pressure hits:

1. Use A Proactive Scouting Plan.

Success begins with staying ahead of disease, according to high-yield corn grower David Hula. “You have to stay proactive with your scouting and willing to go with earlier fungicide or even multiple applications, depending on what shows up,” he says.

While planning, consider the following:

1. Know your potential threats. Depending on the disease, some pathogens survive the winter on previously infected crop residue (e.g., northern corn leaf blight, tar spot). Other diseases move into northern growing areas on winds from southern locations (e.g., southern corn rust). For a suitable environment, many foliar diseases need warm, humid, and wet conditions to propagate.

2. Have your budget in place. Be ready for at least one in-season fungicide application. Use tools like the Newly Designed Fungicide ROI Calculators to guide your investment in products and applications. By inputting costs, market prices, and disease severity, these calculators provide research-based estimates of net benefits and breakeven probabilities, helping you make a more informed decision.

3. Delegate the scouting job, if necessary. If you cannot scout personally, assign the task to a family member, employee, or employ a professional service.

“Lots of great pest managers work in retail,” says Ken Ferrie, Farm Journal Field Agronomist. “Their success depends on you being successful also.”

2. Leverage Friends, Neighbors And Industry Expertise.

Don’t monitor disease pressure in a vacuum. Stay informed about what’s moving into your neighbors’ fields; track regional pressure by tapping into local agronomists and organizations like the Crop Protection Network.

Randy Dowdy, Hula’s partner in Total Acre, notes that in the Southeast, farmers are constantly receiving feedback from Extension and industry experts regarding southern rust.

Similarly, Elliott Henderson, who farms in Buchanan County, Iowa, has a group of farmers there that he connects with on a regular basis during the growing season.

“It’s a network of dozens of us farmers that call each other, bounce ideas off each other,” he says. “The things we’re talking about are often time-sensitive. It can be a daily thing.”

3. Select The Right Chemistry.

Applying the wrong product in the heat of battle with disease pressure is a common mistake. For aggressive diseases like tar spot or southern rust, Farm Journal Field Agronomist Missy Bauer recommends using “Cadillac” type chemistries — newer technologies that feature multiple modes of action.

To ensure you are using the right tool:

Consult Your Experts. Use the Crop Protection Network’s Fungicide Efficacy tables to see which products perform best against specific diseases.
Match Product to Problem. Ensure the product is labeled for your specific issue and is capable of handling high-pressure scenarios.

4. Optimize Applications for Maximum ROI.

If you need to apply a fungicide, make sure it delivers the results you need.

“It’s all about coverage,” Dowdy says. “Drone applications can be fine, but no matter what you do, if a guy is spraying two to three gallons, and you compare it to a ground rig spraying 15 to 25 gallons, I mean, there’s just no comparison in that coverage.”

Another aspect of coverage, Hula adds, is making sure the fungicide gets into the plant canopy far enough to have the desired effect. That becomes even more critical as the season advances.

“Fungicides have a tendency to work from the leaf they’ve come in contact with and move up,” Hula says. “So, if you’re trying to protect at least that ear leaf – and I like to protect the leaf opposite and below the ear – you’ve got to get penetration with that product.”

Hula says growers might have to spend a couple extra dollars to get sufficient volume for the product to get down below the canopy, if using a drone for application.

“If that’s what needs to be done, let’s do it,” he encourages. “If I’m spending $30 or more an acre, then I want to at least have the success that I’m paying for.”

5. Commit To Protecting Corn Through The Entire Season.

Modern corn genetics have significant “back-end” potential, enabling them to add yield through kernel fill late into the season. Hula and Dowdy advise against walking away from the crop early. They say evaluating fungicide applications during later reproductive stages can often yield a high return on investment.

D hybrids are of particular concern late-season, Ferrie says. These are hybrids that have kernel depth changes, positive or negative, based on populations and environmental conditions during the last 30 days of grain fill.

Missy Bauer, Farm Journal Field Agronomist in Michigan, zeros in on corn growth stage to guide uber-late-season fungicide applications.

“If I had a field that has no fungicide at all on it, and I had fairly heavy disease pressure from something like southern rust or tar spot, and I’m at early R4, I would still apply the fungicide,” she recommends.

John Deere-Sentera Tie Up: Here’s What We Know So Far

Fri, 23 May 2025 21:07:32 GMT

John Deere has announced its acquisition of Minnesota-based aerial optics innovator Sentera. Although specific details are few and far between this early in the process, here’s what we know so far:

The two companies have a long history. John Deere was the first enterprise customer Sentera signed onto its system over a decade ago, and the two companies have had an API link in place between Sentera’s drone management software and John Deere’s Operations Center since 2016.
Financial details are not being disclosed. We do know the deal is not subject to any further regulatory or shareholder approvals.
In a similar fashion to the Blue River Technologies and Bear Flag Robotics acquisitions, Sentera will maintain its independence as a free-standing business unit. Once fully integrated into the Deere family, Sentera will operate under the John Deere Intelligent Solutions Group (ISG) framework. Sentera leadership will remain at its St. Paul, Minn., headquarters.
For the time being, no major changes are planned for either company as we head into the heart of the summer crop scouting and spraying season. The two companies anticipate having more details to share about the nuts and bolts of the acquisition this fall.
The two groups are a natural fit. Sentera is aggressively marketing its SmartScripts drone weed mapping program, and the technology is complimentary to John Deere’s Operations Center and its See & Spray and ExactApply application technologies. One driving force behind this deal, Farm Journal is told, is Deere’s motivation to integrate more real-time agronomic data into its Operations Center platform, and Sentera’s aerial data capture capabilities can help make that happen.

(John Deere)

A deal to lift both boats. John Deere has built up a deep bench of artificial intelligence, machine learning and autonomous technology expertise within ISG, and Sentera has a long track record of aerial sensing and camera payload innovation. Considering how many cameras and sensors are included from the factory on new John Deere machines and within its Precision Upgrades retrofit kits, there should be a healthy cross pollination of sensor and camera innovation between Urbandale, Iowa, (where ISG is based) and St. Paul, Minn.
Sentera can help make See & Spray even better. SmartScripts uses drone-based imaging to scan a field and build a weed pressure map which is then loaded onto the sprayer’s in-cab computer. Now the sprayer operator can see exactly where weeds are in the field and focus their spraying efforts there first. There’s also a logistical and planning aspect to SmartScripts: by knowing exactly how many weeds are present in the field, and even what type of weeds are there, an adept operator can have the right active ingredients premixed and the exact amount needed loaded into the tank or staged nearby in a tender truck to keep that sprayer running all day long.

“Farming is becoming a very sensor and data-centric business, and in our opinion, there isn’t anyone doing it at broad scale today better than John Deere,” says Eric Taipale, chief technology officer, Sentera. “The way we can bring these data-driven insights and improve grower outcomes — it’s just what we’ve always been about. It’s what John Deere is all about. There’s such a great mesh between the two cultures, the objectives and the mission of the two organizations.”

Joseph Liefer, global technology marketing lead at John Deere, adds, “We’re excited about how this complements our existing portfolio with See & Spray, and then not just that (product). Now a farmer with an individual nozzle-controlled sprayer from any manufacturer can also leverage this technology. A drone can fly their field, generate a weed map, turn it into a prescription in Operations Center and the machine can go execute the plan. From an ag retailer standpoint, that might have a mixed fleet, and this gives them more tools in the toolbox to do targeted application for growers and help them save on herbicide. We view this deal as complementary to our overall tech strategy.”

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New Partnership Automates Delivery of Customized Planting Prescriptions

Mon, 17 Mar 2025 16:43:02 GMT

A new partnership between Corteva and John Deere is making planting season a more enjoyable, seamless process for some U.S. corn and soybean growers in 2025.

The companies are automating a process many row-crop growers historically jotted down in a notebook or, more recently, stored on a USB flash drive – their planting prescriptions.

The partners, who are integrating the digital and onboard capabilities of the John Deere Operations Center with the agronomic expertise and analysis of Corteva, can deliver field-by-field planting prescriptions direct to farmers’ equipment via the cloud and a wireless connection.

Andy Fabin, second from left, says he was able to improve the planting accuracy on his farm ten-fold last season because of automating his hybrid and variety placement in the field.

(Rhonda Brooks)

Andy Fabin, who participated in the partners’ 2024 pilot program and signed on again this season, says when he or an employee drives into the field boundary, the display in the tractor cab will pop up with the work plan for that field. The farmer accepts the work plan, and all the information will populate into the display and they are ready to plant.

“That’s one of the beauties of this – I don’t have to rely on the operator to know anymore exactly what hybrid is supposed to go into that field,” says Fabin, who’s based near Indiana, Pa. “That information has been preplanned and put into the computer. I don’t have to worry that, ‘whoops, I keyed in the wrong information.’ I know it’s going to be correct.”

Correct Data From The Get-Go
Good data about which hybrid or variety is going into a field sets the grower up for season-long success from the start, notes Trenton Brisby, North America agronomy innovation manager for Corteva .

“We’re able to auto-create a work plan for the grower now, something we had not been able to do before,” Brisby says. He adds that the work plans can be based on a flat seeding rate or a variable rate prescription. Either way, the goal is to place every seed where it can perform up to its maximum yield potential.
Lindsey Pollock, agronomy collaboration manager for John Deere, says information the work plan delivers helps streamline the time and effort it takes for growers to start planting. “We know they’re in a hurry, that they want to get that seed in the ground. The [technology] is reducing the time and mistakes that could happen within those work plans,” Pollock says.

That was true for Fabin, who says the work plans improved the planting accuracy on his farm ten-fold last season.
“Having the information delivered wirelessly really made a difference,” he reports. “If we had to travel 15 miles back to the office to get something and bring it back to the field, I mean, that’s hours that the planter could be sitting. And to be honest, it wasn’t going to happen. We were going to go into the field, plant and fix it later.”

A lot of farmers find themselves dealing with that same issue or a similar one during planting season, says Corbin Crownover, Pioneer sales representative.

“Every year we’ve had cases where the same seed corn hybrid could be named three different ways in the monitor, so we’d have to sort that out and get the information adjusted at the end of the year before we could do anything with the data,” Crownover recalls. “When we can make the [hybrid] numbers all accurate the way they should be, it makes things easier for all of us in the post-harvest review and analysis.”

How The Process Works
The basic process of building the work plan involves a handful of steps, according to Brisby, who outlined the steps for Farm Journal in a brief discussion.

First, the Pioneer sales representative works with the grower to develop a hybrid and variety placement plan for each field, Brisby says.

Next, the representative then connects with the John Deere Operations Center to make a work plan for each field, using either flat or variable seeding rates. Then, the grower is contacted to review the plan.

“Once they give the representative permission, the rep can then push the work plan direct to the equipment monitor,” Brisby says. “When the grower goes to the field to plant they get a pop up on their monitor screen that says, ‘You have a new work plan. Do you want to accept this?’ The grower can say ‘yes,’ and then start planting.”

The grower can also answer no, in case he needs to use a different hybrid or variety in a field. If needed, the operator can load the new seed information into the system manually.

However, Crownover says the grower’s seed sales representative can load multiple varieties and hybrids into the system, so they are included in the original work plan. This gives the farmer the ability to switch between seed products without having to go through a manual step. “We’re able to fine-tune seed selection and placement so farmers can feel more confident that their fields are going to be planted as prescribed,” Crownover says.

Technology Needed To Participate
In some cases, farmers who might want to participate in the partners’ program lack the equipment or are unable to wirelessly send and receive data.

“This is where we really believe strengthening the relationship and collaborating comes into place between Pioneer and John Deere,” Brisby says. “Working together, we can make sure the customer is able to get what they need.”

Fabin says he appreciated being able to work with Corteva and John Deere in the pilot program. “I appreciate all this technology, as a small business owner,” he says. “Capital is something we really have to manage, and these partnerships are a way for me to leverage the equipment we’ve already got. If we can reduce inputs whether seed, fertilizer or chemicals it’s good for us and is why I partner with these two companies.”

For 2025, John Deere and Corteva are expanding the pilot program to additional U.S. farmers before rolling out the program on a more widespread basis, which the companies anticipate for 2026.

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From Seed to Success: Plan for Your Largest Corn Harvest in 2025 with Drought-Proofing Strategies

Wed, 05 Mar 2025 21:21:21 GMT

Ground moisture levels in some parts of Corn Country are abnormally low as planting time nears. Ken Ferrie, Farm Journal Field Agronomist, addressed the issue at length in this week’s Boots In The Field podcast for growers.

Ferrie has been keeping tabs on moisture and where there are deficient areas, via the weekly U.S. Drought Monitor. Based on the Monitor, he estimates that about two-thirds of the Midwest is abnormally dry with more than half of that area already in a D1 drought.

Given the increasingly dry conditions there, farmers are asking Ferrie whether they should cut back on their corn populations, reduce yield goals or trim nitrogen rates. The simple answer, Ferrie says, is no, as conditions can change rapidly.

“With timely rains the soil profile can be reloaded with moisture quickly. We never set out at spring planning for a drought,” he says. “We want to plan for 2025 to be our biggest crop ever, because we know this moisture concern could disappear.”

Going into the season, plan A is to be prepared to grow your largest crop ever. However, Ferrie advises farmers to make a plan B – figure out how to mitigate drought risk this season if conditions stay dry.

“We can mitigate drought risk by eliminating and farming without compaction layers – getting roots to go deep quickly,” he says. “Pick the right hybrids and place them correctly in your fields. That will go a long way in mitigating drought risk.”

How farmers can go about making their plans for this season:

First, identify the hybrids in your lineup, which ones have offensive characteristics and which ones have defensive characteristics.

Second, evaluate your fields to identify where soils are offensive or defensive in nature.

Third, match the right hybrid to the right field (or part of a field, if you use VRT). Essentially, defensive hybrids go on defensive-type soils. Offensive hybrids go on offensive-type soils.

The 3 Rs Of Hybrid Selection
Ferrie says in his agronomic meetings with farmers this winter, Jared Bergan, research agronomist for Crop-Tech Consulting, Heyworth, Ill., spent a lot of time addressing the three Rs of hybrid selection – picking the right hybrids, the right placement and the right management. Learn more at Plant Corn Hybrids Where They’ll Perform The Best

A large portion of Bergan’s presentation focused on taking corn growers through what makes a hybrid defensive or offensive in its makeup.

“To maximize yield, we must capture 97% of the sunlight by the time a corn hybrid tassels, whether the hybrid is offensive or defensive,” Ferrie notes. “Capturing sunlight is a combination of several things: plant population, row spacing, plant height, leaf architecture and leaf size.”

When water is not a concern on heavy soils or irrigated soils, farmers can achieve 97% light capture by pushing up their hybrid plant populations.

When water is a concern, you still want to achieve 97% light capture but you will need to do it with fewer plants, leaving more water available per plant, so you will be lowering your planting population.

Assess Fields For Moisture
As you evaluate fields and how to match them to your hybrids, identify where water is and is not a limiting factor in each field. In most cases, this can be done by tapping into your personal experience in a field, as well as by revisiting previous yield maps.

Fields that can retain moisture and are more productive are referred to as offensive. Fields with light soils that tend to get tight on water in dry years are referred to as defensive.

Soils can vary considerably across a field, so sometimes you’ll have to make a judgment call on whether to call it offensive or defensive.

Ferrie offers this example: “If a field is 70% defensive, we’re talking about light soils that tend to get tight on water in dry years, while the other 30% has high water-holding capacity and can hold its own in dry years. With how those percentages are, we’d call this a defensive field,” he says. “On the other hand, if 70% of the field is more productive soil and can hang on in a dry year, then you have an offensive field.”

Look At Your List Of Hybrids
Once fields are identified as offensive or defensive, Ferrie says to look through your hybrid lineup to see what you have to match the fields.

So what makes a hybrid offensive or defensive? Here are three key factors to consider:

Plant Height. Defensive corn plants tend to be taller, making it easier to shade the ground at low populations.
Leaf Architecture. On defensive plants, the architecture tends to be pendulum in nature with wider and longer leaves.
Number of kernels per bushel. The third thing to evaluate is, how many kernels does the hybrid need to produce to make a bushel?

“When you lower the number of plants on defensive soils to conserve water, it’s important that your hybrid can still produce enough kernels to reach your yield goal,” Ferrie explains.
“Defensive hybrids produce typically somewhere between 55,000 to 65,000 kernels per bushel. They can get that low.”

Offensive hybrids are on the other side of the spectrum in characteristics. They’re usually shorter in nature and are more upright in leaf structure. To capture 97% of available sunlight, they need to be planted at higher populations.

“Kernels per bushel in our offensive hybrids tend to be in that 70,000 to 80,000 per bushel range,” Ferrie says.

Engage Your Seedsman In The Process
Many hybrids fall into the space that’s in between defensive and offensive: medium-tall, semi-pendulum in nature; or medium-short, semi-upright in nature, for example.

“It’s why for many growers, this might be a conversation you need to have with your seed supplier,” Ferrie says. “They can help you match hybrids up with the fields that are best suited to them. On those defensive fields, match them with taller, pendulum-type hybrids that can be planted at lower populations. On the offensive fields, line them up with the more upright, shorter-statured hybrid varieties that can be planted at higher populations.”

Ferrie notes that corn growers often lean toward having a lineup of offensive, racehorse type hybrids. But it’s important to have some defensive hybrids in your lineup. The reason: having a lineup of only offensive hybrids – when you likely also farm a number of defensive-type fields – will not mitigate drought stress.

For example, Ferrie says planting a short-statured, upright leaf hybrids at a 38,000 population on defensive ground could be setting yourself up for yield losses. “Not being able to close the canopy quickly or sufficiently will allow temperatures to climb to a point where they will stress that hybrid. Catalog your farms and your hybrids, and match them up accordingly,” he says.

“This is where a good seedsman is worth their weight in gold. They can help you find defensive hybrids for your defensive ground. Now, most likely these hybrids will not be contest winners. You’re looking for base hits here, not home runs. But by getting the right hybrid on the right field, you’ll mitigate drought risk every year, and not just when you think a drought is coming,” Ferrie adds.

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Listen to Ken Ferrie’s Boots In The Field podcast here:

Case IH Launches SenseApply: Subscription-Free, Variable-Rate Capable Smart Spraying Technology

Sun, 02 Mar 2025 21:19:55 GMT

Case IH is launching SenseApply technology, an automated live variable-rate application and selective spraying solution. The company says its smart spraying technology is designed to maximize the output of every input.

SenseApply consists of a single cab-mounted camera system that offers multi-season uses.

Case IH says its new SenseApply technology includes lifetime Live VRA use and a one-time activation fee for Selective Spray, eliminating per acre fees and annual subscription fees for the life of the device.

(Case IH)

“SenseApply offers unparalleled flexibility, with a range of application methods that were previously unavailable in a single solution,” says Leo Bose, application equipment customer segmentation lead at Case IH. “It is also a cost-effective solution with no annual subscriptions or per acre fees, driving efficiency and profitability for a grower.”

Multi-Application Uses Include:

Selective apray
Green-on-brown spot spray offers upgraded weed management
Base + Boost applies a consistent base rate across the entire boom while boosting individual nozzle sections to a higher rate when passing over areas with higher weed pressure
Live variable-rate application (VRA)
Burndown VRA
Nitrogen VRA
Harvest aid VRA
Plant growth regulator VRA
Fungicide VRA

SenseApply technology includes lifetime live VRA use and a one-time activation fee for Selective Spray, eliminating both per acre fees and annual fees for the life of the device.

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The technology is designed for simple and efficient application, at speeds of up to 25 mph, with the camera self-calibrating to the crop within the first 150 feet during live VRA. The SenseApply camera – which is mounted on top of the cab to maximize field of view – senses plant biomass and responds accordingly, depending on the application type the operator selects.

SenseApply integrates with Case IH FieldOps and Raven Slingshot, enabling operators to connect and manage application data through their preferred platform. Case IH says the integration enables real-time data analysis and decision-making capabilities.

Learn more about SenseApply at caseih.com.

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John Deere Details Model Year 2026 Updates, New Machine Capabilities and Technology Features

Thu, 27 Feb 2025 18:42:29 GMT

John Deere announces a suite of equipment and technology upgrades and new features across its portfolio of machines. Some of the updates are exclusive to model year 2026 machines, and some are available as retrofit options or upgrades for new and/or older John Deere machines.

Next Generation Perception System For Autonomous Tillage
John Deere is releasing its autonomy Precision Upgrades kit for select tractor models that brings autonomy to tillage work. The system is available as a Precision Upgrades kit for model year 2022 and newer 9R and 9RX tractors and model year 2020.5 and newer 8R and 8RX tractors. Select model year 2025 John Deere tractors are autonomy ready from the factory.

RELATED: John Deere Introducing Next Generation Perception Autonomy Kits

To add autonomy to the tillage tool, retrofit kits are available for 2017 and newer John Deere tillage implements with additional lighting and the StarFire receiver mast and harnessing. The autonomy ready solutions are factory installed in base models for select MY25 tillage tools.

Combine Improvements
For model year 2026, the additions include a new three-piece CAM hinge draper reel with dense pack fingers and a new CF 18 30 corn head, which John Deere says is the industry’s first folding corn head with 18" rows and 30" spacing.

John Deere is also announcing several enhancements to its model year 2026 combines:

The Harvest Settings Automation feature will now include an out-of-crop settings adjustment that engages when the combine is passing through previously harvested areas of the field. Now the feature supports wheat, barely, canola, soybean, corn and rice crops.

Predictive Ground Speed Automation is being updated with a new feature that helps operators manage unique field terrains such as waterways, ditches or terraces. Weed detection sensing is also being added. There will be new functionality incorporated into John Deere Operations Center that will use crop-type data from planting and satellite imagery to ensure all eligible combines have the essential harvest automation files necessary to increase productivity. Predictive Ground Speed Automation supports wheat, barley, canola, soybean, corn, peas, edible beans and lentils.

AutoTrac Turn Automation is being updated to automate the raising and lowering of the combine head for hands-free turning, and a new auto-unload camera with supporting hardware and software is available to help consistently fill grain carts and possibly reduce in-field spills.

(Dan Videtich/John Deere)

John Deere also announced a handful of harvest settings updates available in Operations Center, including grain harvest weight sharing and Grain Sensing with HarvestLab 3000 available now for all model year 2025 and newer X9, S7 and T6 combines.

And physical updates to model year 2026 machines include a new instructor seat in all models and a dual USB-C fast charging module in the cab. And the JD Link Boost satellite connectivity module is available for install on eligible combine models to maintain connectivity during harvest.

Sprayer Updates
John Deere says these updates were developed to give farmers cleaner fields that have less weed competition, leading to more yield potential.

See & Spray has new variable rate capabilities that can unlock precise applications and significant product savings in later-season fungicide and desiccant applications, preharvest passes and more, according to John Deere. Farmers can also now see the percentage of biomass each perception camera detects throughout the field. See & Spray Variable Rate capabilities will require a G5 or G5Plus CommandCenter display.

See & Spray Select is now available from the factory on model year 2026 John Deere 400 and 600 series sprayers with 90', 100' or 120' steel booms. See & Spray Select also will be available as a Precision Upgrades kit for model year 2018 and newer John Deere sprayers with ExactApply and a 120' steel boom.

See & Spray Premium is adding new boom sizes and is now available on Hagie STS20 sprayers. See & Spray Premium is compatible with 90', 100' or 120' booms.

(Mel Koltai/John Deere)

Beyond the See & Spray updates, John Deere also has two new AutoTrac options for sprayers:

AutoTrac Turn Automation (ATTA) is now compatible with John Deere 400 and 600 series self-propelled sprayers, 800R floaters, and Hagie STS12, STS16 and STS20 sprayers, model year 2022 and newer. The new feature is also included with Automation 4.0 on Gen4 displays and the G5 Advanced license for machines that have a G5 display.

AutoTrac Vision 2.0 is a new technology that ensures sprayer wheels remain centered within each crop row, and it boasts a maximum speed of 22 mph, slope performance of up to 6 degrees, and the ability to navigate curves with a radius of just 50 meters. AutoTrac Vision 2.0 is available on model year 2026 John Deere sprayers as a factory option.

John Deere is also introducing ExactApply Variable Rate capabilities – including multi-rate across the boom with AutoSelect Pulsing (and A+B pulse width modulation nozzle switching). Sprayer operators can now vary multiple application rates across the entire boom, up to 11 unique sections, leading to more precise product placement. Operators also can use increased rate ranges for variable rate prescriptions and curve compensation. This technology is available as a software update for model year 2023 to 2025 sprayers, and model year 2026 will come factory installed with updated software features and functionalities.

Planter Updates
John Deere announced four new planter updates:

A new rate controller, the John Deere Rate Controller 3, with the option to control and apply two liquid and/or anhydrous ammonia (NH3) products simultaneously across up to 16 sections. This can help farmers decrease the number of trips through the field while getting the same application work completed. John Deere says the new rate controller is suitable for a variety of row crops, ranches, high-value crops and even on golf courses.

Rate Controller 3 also features a new rate controller app that is available within the John Deere display menu. The rate controller app is fully compatible with Gen 4 v2 and G5 displays.

(Michael J Newell/John Deere)

John Deere says the new app will give farmers a similar experience as operating a self-propelled sprayer with a controller with a built-in base from the factory. This means farmers can now monitor their planter and rate controller functions on one screen on the display and execute easy adjustments, according to John Deere.

The new rate controller module also has a new harness and 48-pin connector, which expands the compatibility with third-party equipment.

Seed-Level Sensing provides farmers with a more accurate look at the level of seed remaining in the tank. It places a sensor in the tank that can measure the volume of seed left in the tank, which is then provided to the operator in the cab and the John Deere Operations Center. This feature is available on model year 2026 planters or as a Precision Upgrades kit for certain models back to model year 2022.

Fertilizer-Level Sensing is also new and it is similar to seed-level sensing, providing the operator with better information on the fertilizer level remaining in the tank. It is an external manifold that includes two pressure sensors, which are used to calculate both the liquid density as well as the volume remaining in the tank. This update is available on model year 2026 planters and is also a Precision Upgrades kit that can be added to machines that are model year 2022 and newer.

Active Vacuum Automation is available on model year 2026 planters with electric drives and the SeedStar 5 Monitoring System. This feature looks in real time at singulation and automatically adjusts the vacuum, helping to prevent skips and doubles.

To determine which new features and updates are available for existing machines or only on model year 2026 new machines, contact your local John Deere dealer.

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The Scoop Podcast: Get Ready For Instant, In-Season Decisions

Tue, 25 Feb 2025 20:47:00 GMT

Eric Eller, president of Forefront Ag, discusses the 2025 growing season’s primary challenge: changing farmers’ mindsets to optimize profitability through data-driven decisions.

“The biggest challenge we have to overcome is mindset. It’s the mindset that we have to do this way because we’ve always done it. Or the mindset that in order to get top bushels we have to put more on–fertilizer, nitrogen,” he says.

The shift in thinking comes to look at the variance across a field and address potential productivity and profitability with data, agronomics, and technology. He emphasizes the use of farm planning tools to manage fields at a finer resolution, identifying high and low-profit areas.

“This means we use the data that many of us have at our fingertips already. We start to understand, hey, here’s a high productive, high profit area of my field, and here’s a low profit, low productive part of my field, and how do I start to manage those different,” Eller says.

He says that baseline understanding is ever more important this year as with higher input costs, lower commodity prices, and weather uncertainty amplify the risks.
Some examples of taking this approach in the field include variable rate nitrogen and spray drones for in-season nutrient application.

“We’ve been able to do variable rate nitrogen and at a level that that’s very profitable and we’re not giving up any bushels,” he says.

Forefront Ag has also introduced its Trailblazing program which uses drones and instant tissue samples via Leaf Tech to enhance in-field decisions.

“We are starting to build a database of information that helps us drive some in season decisions,” he says.

And that’s the new threshold for return on investment according Eller, providing instant action based on data including weed identification and selective spraying,
“On time, in field passes are here and will continue to grow as our capabilities with sensors grow,” he says.

Erich Eller and the Forefront Ag team work with growers to conquer legacy using technology, agronomic advising, and an openness to try new things. He and his team are looking to move the needle while recognizing risks.

How This 29-Year-Old Farmer is Calculating His Costs on Every Acre in Real-Time

Mon, 23 Dec 2024 17:48:56 GMT

At just 29-years-old, Illinois farmer Chase Sailer is always exploring unconventional ways to be more productive.

“This is one of the things that we can probably see the biggest return on investment,” Sailer says, pointing to the GPS Ditch Grader in his machine shed. “Spots that used to yield 20 bu. [per acre] for soybeans are now getting all the way up to 50 to 70 bu. [per acre] in those wet holes.”

Sailer, who farms near Carmi, Ill., says it’s been one of the biggest game changers on his farm.

“It’s pretty much a surface drain drainage tile, if you want to look at it that way. It’s a lot cheaper than putting drainage tile on a field. But we can go out there, take the topography of any field, and we’re overlaying that with yield maps, to see where trouble spots are,” Sailer says.

Chase Sailer

(Russ Hnatusko)

Instead of guessing why low-yielding spots are an issue in any given field, they use all that data to know exactly what the culprit is.

“And then we’re able to go out there with this ditcher and grade it; we’re able to make sure that water flows to where it needs to,” Sailer says.

It’s that attention to detail, along with Sailer’s ability to turn to technology to solve problems on the farm, that makes this southern Illinois farmer a true maverick.

“We’re going to admit when we’re wrong, and we’re always willing to learn,” he says. “So, I think that’s a huge role, and the key in trying to be better is really dive in deep each year on what you did wrong. Because if you only focus on the things you did right, you’re never going to have growth,” he adds.

The Push for Precision

Another way Sailer Farms is taking the guesswork out of farming, is by fulling grasping onto precision farming. Now, Sailer is able to drill down their decisions to the acre.

“Right now we’re using about every part of precision technology that you can possibly use, and that’s going all the way from obviously auto row guidance with AutoTrac , which is kind of the bare minimum, to section control on your planters . And now we’re going into tramlines where we’re trying to limit the compaction zones on all of our fields,” Sailer says.

Aerial of Sailer Farms, Carmi, Illinois

(Russ Hnatusko )

In this area of southern Illinois, the two biggest limiting factors to yields are either too much or too little water, as well as compaction.

“So, with the use of tramlines and AutoPath from John Deere Ops Center, we’re able to pull into the field, already have the field mapped out and the route that we want to take. And we’re taking that same 60-foot pass on every application that we do. So that’s allowing us to come in here in the fall and in-line rip only where our equipment’s ran,” Sailer says.

Data-Driven Decisions

What goes into every decision the Sailers make, well, that all comes down to data.

“We have so much data anymore, all the way from our soil tests that we do every other year, and this is where we’re working really close with our agronomist. So, we’re pairing up different seed varieties to different soil types to make sure that we’re getting the biggest bang for our buck in that aspect,” he says.

Chase Sailer, Carmi, Illinois

(Russ Hnatusko )

Getting Rid of Bad Data

Sailer admits their farm used to comb through bad data, but now, through Ops Center, they finally have good data they go through not monthly or weekly, but daily.

“Even from our See & Spray maps where we’re going out with our sprayer, we’re getting these weed pressure maps and each year we’re able to learn and build off of that and make sure in that particular field that we’re doing a better job. And it’s helping us make decisions on what type of chemicals to use for certain fields,” Sailer says.

From being better able to decide which chemicals to use, to knowing which seed variety needs to be planted on every acre, Harvest Profit is another tool Sailer Farms now relies on heavily.

“Harvest Profit is a neat tool where we’re able to put in every overhead cost that we have in our farming operation, all the way from our employees to the random bills we get from the parts stores, so you get a true number of how much does it cost to run this one acre,” Sailer says. “And then, when we’re spraying and spreading throughout the field, we have all of our chemical prices and our fertilizer prices in Harvest Profit. And it’s just continually giving you a calculator throughout the field on a per acre basis.”

Chase Sailer, Carmi, Illinois

(Russ Hnatukso )

There’s no shortage of technology and precision tools on this farm, but what may be Sailer’s biggest key to success is the people they surround themselves with.

“As a farm, it’s just like a sports team. You’re only as good as your weakest link. We have 12 different guys and all of them play a huge role, whether it’s planting, harvesting, spreading, spraying. Every row needs to be done just as good as the best guy, and I feel like we have that as a team,” Sailer says.

At not even 30-years-old yet, Sailer just may be wise beyond his years. But as he looks ahead, he has big plans for the next 30 years.

“I’m a third-generation farmer,” says Sailer. “We’re always looking towards that next generation, trying to make decisions and set up the farm to where we’re successful for years to come. I hope to be here for another 100 years.”

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10 Smart Ways to Start Cutting Your Fertilizer Bill

Wed, 02 Oct 2024 20:57:20 GMT

Fertilizer costs are weighing on many farmers this fall, as they wrap up the 2024 harvest and look forward to next season. Ken Ferrie, Farm Journal Field Agronomist, says one of the most important decisions you can make now is to keep your wits about you in the process.

“Don’t get caught up in a fire sale mentality,” he encourages. “Emotional decisions based on what you hear at the coffee shop or read on social media rarely pay in positive outcomes. Instead, take a more controlled, calibrated approach to reducing fertilizer costs.”

Here are nine additional thoughts from Ferrie on how to approach your corn and soybean fertility program for 2025:

1. Figure out what you currently spend on fertilizer. With the facts in hand, you’ll be able to make decisions based on reality and not feelings.

2. Determine the target dollar amount that you want to get to for next year, what will make your cash flow work.

“Your agronomist can help you through this process, but they need real numbers to work with – not just emotions,” Ferrie says. “There’s a big difference between taking $20 per acre out of your program or trying to reduce it $120.”

3. Once you have the target dollar amount in mind, refer to your soil test information.

“Let your soil tests do the talking,” Ferrie says. “They will tell you if you can cut fertilizer costs in a field by 10%, 20% or even 50% without dinging yields short-term. The opposite is true, too.”

4. Keep your rotation in mind as you prepare to trim. For instance, Ferrie says when farmers are building fertilizer levels in lower testing areas, most do that ahead of soybeans.

“So, if you say, ‘I’m just going to cut out all my bean spreads,’ you’re going to be cutting the lowest fertility in the field,” he says. “It usually works better to scale back your corn fertility program for most fields.”

5. Remember that applying less fertilizer than the removal rates will lower soil fertility in the field, and that will need to be reckoned with when profitability finally stabilizes.

“The good news is that most of your farms are in a good place where you can lean them out without damaging yields short-term. That’s the power of knowing your fertility levels,” Ferrie says.

6. However, if you’re dealing with a new farm or one with poor fertility, it’s a tough climb to pull back on fertility in either of those scenarios without adjusting your yield goals. If this is your situation, be sure to check soil pH levels.

“This is where to start. Don’t be too quick to pull lime out of the program,” Ferrie advises. “Adequate lime is important in making all your nutrients work at optimum levels.”

7. Consider where you might be able to trim costs without taking as much money out of your fertility program. Maybe you reduce tillage passes or your seed spend. In addition, there might be some fields where you pull back on fertility and others that you leave alone.

8. Don’t wait until the last minute to start the process. What you end up doing will involve a series of important decisions, and that requires time.

9. Tap into your valued experts who know you and know your fields. They can provide good counsel and partner with you in the process.

You can listen to Ken Ferrie’s full recommendations on how to go about reducing fertility costs as well as his take on how harvest in central Illinois is progressing here:

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EarthOptics, Pattern Ag Combine Forces On Next-Level Soil Data Analytics

Thu, 12 Sep 2024 15:30:04 GMT

EarthOptics is merging with data analytics and predictive modeling firm Pattern Ag. Executives at the newly-formed venture feel the combined company will be better positioned to offer enhanced soil testing and data analysis services.

Todd Martin is one of the founders of EarthOptics and he will assume the chief growth officer role at the merged company. Martin helped launch the startup in 2018 with the aim of providing farmers with better, faster, and more economical field-level soil data than traditional grid soil sampling programs.

The experienced ag industry vet pulls zero punches in stating that precision ag thus far has largely failed farmers with overwhelmingly complex and costly-to-collect data sets siloed in walled off platforms devoid of revenue-generating insights. It is his belief that combining with Pattern Ag positions EarthOptics to rise up and deliver more ROI for its farmers.

“The newly merged EarthOptics, when it’s EarthOptics plus Pattern Ag, is going to be able to deliver for farmers like never before,” Martin states. “We can replace their current soil testing regime and - for about the same price as two and a half acre grid sampling for variable-rate fertilizer - give them a prescriptive tillage recommendation and variable-rate fertilization data down to the best resolution that is currently possible. And now we can combine that with the biological and soil DNA data from Pattern Ag and tell them all about disease expectations in their soil, and about pest expectations.”

EarthOptics’ technology includes two and soon-to-be-released three spectrum analyzing sensor systems - deployed via tech-outfitted side-by-side UTVs that local service providers run across acres throughout the Midwest - all with the aim of providing farmers with detailed soil maps and actionable variable rate fertility insights. Martin says this boots-on-the-ground approach is what defines EarthOptics. The data provided includes soil type, moisture, disease and pest predictions, and more.

EarthOptics also says it can help farmers with climate-related programs by measuring carbon in the soil and providing tools to assess and report data that measures carbon intensity and field emissions.

“We’ll help farmers that want to enroll in climate programs and look at their carbon intensity scores or their field emissions, and sometimes we’ll be able to utilize satellites for some of that,” Martin explains. “But when it comes to soil, we believe you’ve got to get your hands dirty. You’re going to have to be in the field. You cannot use satellite technology, no matter what anybody says, it just does not exist to do the type of analysis and data gathering that we can do in the field.”

The two companies plan to unify under the EarthOptics brand name. Other considerations like branding colors and a logo to represent the newly combined company will be worked out soon as executives from both groups come together and pencil out the venture’s go-forward strategy.

Want to learn more about this new soil data partnership? Study up on all of the publicly released details here.

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Bayer's First Carbon Credits Are Issued, More On The Way

Fri, 07 Jun 2024 17:47:52 GMT

The initial results from the Bayer Carbon Program are in – and they’re significant.

According to Nori, a carbon removal issuing program, registry and marketplace, over 125,000 regenerative tonnes from the program have been issued. These are the first credits to come from Bayer’s program and make up the largest issuance Nori has had since it was founded in 2017. The 125,000 regenerative tonnes issued are the result of these practices on 190,000 acres across the U.S.

“Being able to establish relationships like the one we have with Nori is essential to helping turn farmers’ regenerative agriculture efforts into tangible credits that can provide monetary value to these practices and further help stand up carbon markets,” said Leo Bastos, senior vice president and head of global ecosystem services at Bayer. “This squarely aligns with Bayer’s goal of scaling regenerative agriculture to help farmers produce more while helping restore the planet.”

Bayer says this is just the beginning, with 240,000 additional credits in the pipeline and expected to be issued as carbon credits later this year.

A regenerative tonne is equal to approximately one tonne of carbon dioxide that has been removed from the atmosphere through regenerative practices. For Bayer’s program specifically, those practices could be no-till, strip-till, cover cropping or implementing a Nitrogen Management Program.

Bayer Announces 2024 Carbon Program, Expanding Opportunities

Nori and Bayer first partnered in 2022.

With the help of its additional partners, Nori anticipates supporting 400,000 acres of regenerative farming, paying $6.5 million to suppliers and removing over 700,000 tonnes of carbon from the atmosphere this year.

“We have enjoyed partnering with the team at Bayer to issue hundreds of thousands of new soil carbon credits,” said Radjika Moolgavkar, Nori vice president of supply and methodology. “The pairing of Bayer’s expansive regenerative farm network with Nori’s vertically integrated issuing program, registry and marketplace enables us to significantly scale regenerative agriculture adoption together — a key step toward mitigating climate change.”

Big Ideas In Ag Technology: Where Selective Spraying Is Going

Mon, 13 May 2024 20:43:21 GMT

Written by Darryl Matthews

Selective spraying is the technology of detecting weeds in a crop or on fallow ground and only spraying the weed. The reduction in herbicides can be between 60% and 90%, depending on the weed density in the field.

Detecting weeds in a fallow field is a technology that has been around for nearly 20 years and treats large acres in the southern hemisphere’s growing regions of the world. The fallow selective spray system detects a green plant in the fallow ground and only sprays the green plant.

There are two types of selective spray systems: brown on green, which detects green plants in fallow ground only (John Deere See & Spray Select, PTx Trimble WeedSeeker 2, Weed-It,) and green on green, which can detect weeds within a crop (John Deere See & Spray Ultimate, PTx Trimble Bilberry, Greeneye Technology, and One Smart Spray). Depending on the system, the selective spray system uses either a camera or a near-infrared sensor.

What The Tech Can Do

Selective spray systems can significantly reduce the amount of herbicide applied and reduce the costs of controlling weeds in certain crops. All selective spray systems generate a map during the spraying process, giving the grower a visual map of weed location and density. The visual weed map can be a valuable tool for your agronomist and in understanding what is happening in your field with weed pressure year over year. Selective spray can help in managing herbicide-resistant weeds by allowing the application of two different modes of action, particularly with a two-tank system.

Selective spray systems can locate a weed as small as 1/4".

What The Tech Can’t Do

There are limitations to green-on-green systems. They require a slower application speed of 9 mph to 12 mph to identify and spray the weed quickly when crossing the field. Like anything, the application speeds will increase given time and improved technology.
Selective green-on-green spray systems require distinguishable contrast between the weed and crop. Some weeds and crop are very similar in their leaf structure and growth characteristics. The best example is wild oats in a wheat crop; they look almost identical in the early growth stages when only experienced agronomists can identify the differences.

Using a green-on-green system requires access to a weed and crop identification library. John Deere confirmed at CES 2024 that the See & Spray Ultimate green-on-green system requires a $4 per acre fee for access to the corn libraries. The science behind the selective spray green-on-green system is the weed/crop image libraries all companies are generating, which teach the cameras to identify what they are seeing and to identify the weeds in the crop.

Selective spray systems only work with contact herbicides, which can kill the weed when applied to the weed leaves. Selective spray systems do not sense and precisely spray residual herbicides, which require broadcast application across an entire field and control weeds before

emergence. Systems with dual tank setup enable the application of a spot spray and a residual in one pass.

Spraying at night with selective spray green-on-green systems requires additional lights or different cameras. Some green-on-green systems can work at night, and
others cannot. The green-on-brown fallow system uses a different sensor to detect the green foliage in the field and can spray at night.

Future of Selective Spray

As selective spray technology matures, crops and weed image libraries will increase. Selective spray green on green is a new tool to help manage resistant weeds while reducing the amount of herbicides applied on a field.

Darryl Matthews, with more than three decades in the technology industry, brings his business sense and tech know-how to reveal opportunities for farmers.

Ever.Ag Acquires Adapt-N

Fri, 15 Mar 2024 18:07:54 GMT

Ever.Ag announces the acquisition of Adapt-N, from Yara North America.

This acquisition provides wider market access for Adapt-N, the premier in-season nitrogen recommendation tool. The acquisition demonstrates the ongoing dedication of Ever.Ag to providing innovative solutions that meet the complex needs of today’s agricultural industry.

“By incorporating Adapt-N into FieldAlytics, we’re equipping ag retailers with a powerful tool to help farmers fine-tune their nitrogen application, ensuring optimal crop health and yield while minimizing waste,” said Kyle Owen, vice president of digital agronomy at Ever.Ag. “This step not only aligns with our commitment to sustainable farming but also boosts the economic returns for our farming clients.”

“This collaboration reflects our dedication to forging partnerships that drive positive change in the agriculture industry. We look forward to working closely with Ever.Ag to ensure a seamless integration of Adapt-N into their technological ecosystem. This integration will empower ag retailers and service providers with the tools they need to navigate the complexities of nitrogen management and foster a more sustainable and resilient agricultural landscape.” said Molly Biedenfeld, vice president, U.S. Eastern Region, Yara North America.

This technology will continue to be available via API through partners. In addition, its deeper level of integration within FieldAlytics will make Adapt-N easier to use by ag service providers as they help farmers optimize their nitrogen use while helping to increase yield.

Variable Rate At-Plant Inputs: Industry Update

Tue, 05 Mar 2024 21:44:45 GMT

Since 2020, the team at AMVAC has been pioneering at-plant applied variable rate crop protection. To date, tens of thousands of acres have been planted with SIMPAS-Applied Solutions (SaS) through the SIMPAS application system.

“Our retail agronomist partners expect this market to grow by 50 percent in the next three to five years,” says Jim Lappin, director of the SIMPAS portfolio at AMVAC. “Growers already think about variable rate opportunities with macro fertilizer. And the variable rate seeding rate adoption is high. Right now, variable rate inputs at plant are in the low double digits for adoption. Overall, the industry is moving away from any flat rates across a field.”

Lappin adds the retention rate for growers after using the system after one season is very high. Also, the shift in planter refurbishment—now equal for the number of farmers upgrading existing planter toolbars as buying new every year—opens the opportunity for more SIMPAS installations.

“Whereas before only 17% to 20% of planters were traded out new every year, farmers are taking existing planters and upgrading at a much higher frequency,” Lappin says.
The product portfolio for SIMPAS has also grown to include micronutrients along with crop protection products.

Lappin says the highlights of the current product portfolio are corn rootworm control, nematode control and micronutrients. Biostimulants are also being added including Envita and iNvigorate.

“We aim for growers to use products they’ve known and already use, but to think about them differently,” he says. “Generally speaking, we have growers aligning their inputs with their opportunities—where there are areas in the field that are higher producing. In the more productive areas, what are the inputs where I can optimize my yields?”

AMVAC partners with Trimble dealers for sales and service of the systems. Retail agronomists who are part of the SIMPAS network provide the prescriptions for the variable rate inputs.

“The grower has intuitive knowledge. This builds on how to deliver because it’s about understanding what’s going on in the field, and what I want to do differently in this zone vs. another. There’s a lot of interest in adopting sustainable/regenerative practices, but I think of it as responsible and profitable,” Lappin says.

As AMVAC continues to grow its SIMPAS footprint and product portfolio, the team is also eager to report on the return on investment.

“Functionality is part of the discussion, and which product is giving a reliable return for their dollar. Growers want products that are convenient and perform,” he says.

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John Deere, Corteva Partner Up On Customized Agronomic Solutions

Tue, 30 Jan 2024 15:15:59 GMT

Corteva Agriscience and John Deere announced a partnership for farmer access to Corteva’s agronomic recommendations through the John Deere Operations Center, according to a press release.

The partnership combines the digital and onboard capabilities of John Deere with agronomic analysis from Corteva. The result is the delivery of customized agronomic insights to:

Equipment - via John Deere Precision Ag technology;
Pioneer sales representatives - for providing direct agronomic support;
Farmers - for improved decision making support.

“We are focused on making it as easy as possible for farmers to unlock value through data-driven, scientific recommendations, based on the unique characteristics of their farm. This partnership does exactly that,” said Brian Lutz, vice president of agricultural solutions, Corteva.

“The future of farming will be enabled by the combination of data-driven insights and science-based agronomic recommendations that are precisely executed by connected and increasingly intelligent machines,” added Doug Sauder, director, product management and user experience at John Deere.

Pilot programs will begin in the spring across the United States and expand to Canada in the future, according to the press release. The pilots will serve as the foundation for a strategic, multi-year partnership, leveraging the companies’ respective areas of expertise to develop and deploy digital solutions that support farmers.

Bayer, Precision Planting Announce FieldView Updates And New API

Fri, 19 Jan 2024 17:21:37 GMT

Climate FieldView announces enhanced capabilities in FieldView Plus for 2024, including more personalized features available through the new FieldView Premium subscription tier, as well as improvements to FieldView’s in-cab experience.

Precision Planting also announced that FieldView customers can now transfer agronomic and farm equipment data from Panorama to their FieldView accounts. The new Panorama app and website connects to a farmer’s Gen 3 20|20 to view maps, input summaries, and agronomic data on a smartphone, tablet, or computer. Testing took place throughout the 2023 season, and FieldView is one of the first platforms with the ability to receive data from Panorama.

“The FieldView Cab app paired with a 20|20 provides accurate real-time mapping of planting and harvest data, and we’ve added map layers and other features to further improve the in-cab experience with Precision Planting,” said Brandon Rinkenberger, chief customer officer.

In addition to FieldView’s collaboration with Precision Planting, the following FieldView Plus features and new capabilities are now available for the 2024 season:

Use Field Region Reports to analyze yield data by application (FieldView Plus).
Search for connected API partners directly within FieldView (FieldView Plus).
Receive personalized analysis and reports, delivered right to your inbox (FieldView Premium).
Manage variable rate planting at scale with unlimited FieldView Seed Scripts (FieldView Premium).

FieldView is the flagship product of Climate LLC, the digital farming arm of Bayer.

Unverferth Adds High-Flotation, ISOBUS Boundary Control to Pro-Force Spreaders

Wed, 27 Dec 2023 13:55:15 GMT

Unverferth announces the addition of two high-flotation undercarriage options to its lineup of Pro-Force dry fertilizer spreaders (models 1850, 2250 and 2650): an Equalizer track system and in-line walking tandem dual wheels, and ISOBUS-enabled boundary control for optimal fertilizer placement, according to a press release from the company.

The Equalizer track system features a patented cambering action which pivots the track up to 20-degrees front to rear and up to 9-degrees side to side for smooth operation over rough terrain and maximum flotation.

The in-line walking tandem axle undercarriage features front to rear oscillation for maintaining ground contact and smoothing out the ride. Model 1850 features 710/50x26.5 HF-2 tires and wheels and models 2250 and 2650 feature 750/60x30.5 HF-2 tires and wheels. The wider tire design distributes weight across a larger area for improved flotation.

ISOBUS boundary control moderates the speed of the right-hand spinner disc for more precise application around field edges. This feature can be activated using the Raven RCM screen or through the use of a convenient on/off switch.

Pro-Force dry spreaders, depending on model, are available in mounted or pull-type models with 10- to 22-ton capacities and are constructed from premium 304 stainless steel, the company says. The 34” wide belt-over-chain conveyor and dual 30” dished spinners with tapered vanes accurately spread common fertilizers up to 90’ and lime and litter up to 60’. For micro nutrient application, up to three compartments can be added to apply four separate products, each with variable rate.

For additional information, farmers should contact their local Unverferth Pro-Force spreader dealer, or visit the Unverferth website.

John Deere Acquires Smart Apply Air-Blast Spray Technology

Wed, 06 Sep 2023 20:49:59 GMT

In mid-July John Deere announced its acquisition of Smart Apply.

Smart Apply is based in Indianapolis and focused its product development on precision air-blast spraying. Its Intelligent Spray Control System can be used in orchards, vineyards or tree nurseries to:

Reduce overall chemical use on average by 50%
Reduce Airborne drift up 87%
Achieve 93% reduction in run off
Use on average 50% less water

The two companies had worked together since 2020 when an allied distribution agreement was announced.

Smart Apply was founded in 2014. At the time of its acquisition, the company had 20 full-time employees.

“This is a natural progression of the two companies’ working relationship,” said Mike Bailey, director, Small Tractor & HVC Production System at John Deere. “It’s a continuation of our commitment to high-value crop customers and dealers, further expanding a portfolio of solutions to help growers address their biggest challenges around labor, input costs, and regulatory requirements, while achieving environmental goals.”

Smart Apply’s Intelligent Spray Control uses LiDAR technology to sense individual trees/vines, calculate foliage density and then automatically adjust spray volume and eliminate spraying between trees/vines.

“Both John Deere and Smart Apply recognize the importance of high-value crops. We are committed to investing in innovation and technology that best serves producers who raise high-value crops and helps solve their problems,” said Jerry Johnson, president and CEO at Smart Apply.

The system also collects data from the field applications such as:

date and time of spraying
overall spray volumes
chemical savings
tree counts
canopy volume
health of individual trees or vines
acres/hectares sprayed

Raven’s Trio of Products To Pave the Path To Autonomy

Wed, 30 Aug 2023 14:22:44 GMT

Raven continues to promote its Path to Autonomy for farmers to consider autonomous technology as a journey, rather than a destination.

This fall, the company has unveiled three products that meet farmers where they are on their path and help them with the next level of adoption.

Pre-sale launch of Raven Cart Automation
DirecSteer Electric Steering
Augmenta integration with the Raven Sense & Act suite of products

Ben Voss, Raven’s director of sales, says this trio of innovations represents the different stages of automation on the farm.

“Every farmer has different needs and existing equipment,” Voss says. “We want all growers to benefit from autonomous technology to become more efficient, productive and profitable. Fall is a great time of year for farmers to think about where they are, and where they can be and want to be.”

Raven Cart Automation

Now available for pre-order, Raven Cart Automation was previously named and in development as Driver Assist Harvest solution. This technology provides autonomous unload on-the-go by syncing the cart’s heading and speed with the combine.

Systems will be delivered at the beginning of 2024. Voss says the company has been running a robust test system, including ongoing field work with beta customers through this harvest.

“Raven Cart Automation gives two way communication between the combine and a Case IH or a New Holland tractor. It allows the combine operator to engage the system to take over the propulsion steering of the tractor and lock its path with the combine for unloading. Then, the tractor operator can take back over when the unloading is complete,” he says.

The system can sync up to six grain cart and combine systems in one operation. Raven Cart Automation is compatible with most MY20 or newer Case IH and New Holland tractors with CVT/PST transmission. And the system is compatible with all Case IH Axial Flow 240 and 250 model combines and New Holland CR6.80, CR6.90, CR7.80, CR7.90, CR8.90, CR9.90, CR10.90 combines with a common cab.

Raven Cart Automation will be available via Case IH and New Holland dealers.

DirecSteer Electric Steering

Designed as the next generation of Raven’s electric steering wheels for aftermarket installation, DirecSteer brings more compatibility across tractor platforms and more robust performance.

“This product performs well at high speeds, and it can power the steering wheel with a lot more force,” Voss says. “While it’s not a new idea to bring forward this type of product, this is a necessary tool for many farmers as they are looking at their path to autonomy and overall technology use.”

He continues, “You can’t do autonomy without extremely reliable steering control.”

The DirecSteer system is noted to be extremely quiet and can scale from sub-meter to sub-inch precision. It requires to be paired with a Raven CR7 or CR12 display and an SC1 steering controller or an RS1 GNSS receiver/steering controller.

Augmenta

CNH Industrial acquired Augmenta in March 2023. Now, the company is incorporating the product to be part of its Sense & Act lineup. Sense & Act is a group of product aiming to help farmers make faster, more precise decisions with greater efficiency.

The Augmenta system has a single module mounted on the roof of the cab with multispectral cameras to scan the field and help operators make real-time decisions.

Augmenta uses imagery and spectral analysis to create instructions for rate controllers and other precision ag components. Voss says in that way the technology easily integrates into Raven’s well known products for boom height, steering/guidance, nozzle control, etc.

“It’s plug and play functionality. The instructions from Augmenta plug into our field controllers, and as an operator you don’t have to do much to get the components to talk to each other,” he says.

Voss says Augmenta can be used for variable-rate applications of:

Nitrogen
Plant growth regulators
Fungicides
Desiccants

“Some customers say they got full payback in first year,” Voss says offering examples of reduced herbicide volumes, faster harvest timeframe, and application where the system was used for multiple passes in same field.

Voss says customers have seen value in Data layers with real-time Augmenta data used in conjunction with prescription maps.

He adds Raven is competitively offering Augmenta in the market at a lower price than many similar technologies: $30,000 plus a cost per acre/cost per task. The Augmenta system is a single module to be mounted—without additional writing or multiple cameras installed.

The Augmenta system also has a place for ag retailers looking to add such features to their applications.

Three Retailers Add Robotic Sprayers to Their Fleet

Wed, 23 Aug 2023 15:40:25 GMT

Solinftec has been partnering with retailers in the Corn Belt to deploy 20 Solix robots in 2023. This week, the company announced three retailers have tested the Solix and will expanding their fleets to use the technology across more acres.

Co-Alliance, Carroll Service Company, and Premier Ag have partnered to test Solix robots as a weed detection and herbicide spraying platform. The company says its Sprayer platform used on Solix can reduce early herbicide applied volumes by 95%.

“The three cooperatives are at the forefront of agricultural technology in the United States, and by adopting Solix, they realized the potential for changing the way they price services provided to American producers,” says Leonardo Carvalho, Chief Global Strategy Officer. “In the traditional model, American cooperatives purchase agrochemicals directly from companies in the agricultural pesticides industry and offer spraying services along with the product that will be managed on the field.”

He continues, “With the introduction of the Solix robot, the possibility of change arises in how they charge for the service, not based on the volume of agrochemicals applied but on clean acres. This means a combination of factors such as weed-free area, productivity per acre, and the possibility of establishing a fixed value since the choice of the product to be applied by the Solix platform lies with the Cooperative.”

You can read more about the Solinftec platform from Shane Thomas at Upstream Ag Insights.

Here’s what the retailers shared about how the Solix robot and its Sprayer platform can change their business:

“Modern agriculture needs technologies like those from Solinftec that redefine the way business and spraying are currently done,” noted Noah Freeman, Senior Director YieldPro at Co-Alliance.
“The economic and sustainability benefits generated by Solix in our operations are evident,” said Ryan Priest, Chief Operating Officer at Premier.
“We were able to clearly see the benefits that Solinftec’s expertise can offer to American agriculture,” said Chase Sellnow, General Manager at Carroll Service Company. “By adopting this robotic technology, we observed the potential for a coming change in how we conduct our business.”

The Three Agronomy Tools Every Farm Should Be Optimizing

Tue, 01 Aug 2023 18:36:16 GMT

Andrew Lambert, technology services manager at Centra Sota Cooperative, shares how his team is structured to help farmers advance their yields and return on investment. He says technology can be overwhelming because of how everything intertwines like a cobweb. But as a baseline: the exponential benefits will come when they are able to get a majority of their farmers optimizing soil sampling, variable rate fertilizer, and yield mapping.

A few years ago, the department re-organized under three teams:

Precision ag services
“This includes services to the farmer and the internal precision ag tools that benefit us and the farmer,” Lambert says.
Environmental services.
“This is the newest idea for us. We actually have a small team dedicated to helping our farmer customers work through government programs and offerings such as CAP and EQIP programs,” he says.
Equipment sales and service.
“This is bulit on a long term Precision Planting dealership. We have expanded sales and service by adding new equipment lines. The goal is to be a solution dealer to our farmers for a specific range of equipment,” Lambert says.

He says this has helped bring structure and focus to how the co-op team can bring value to farmers.

“It’s a cobweb–everything’s touching each other and kind of play off of each other,” Lambert says. “The conservation buzz is real in our area. A lot of times, farmers want some extra help in those areas specifically.”
In the recent years, Centra Sota added Zimmerman strip-till equipment to their lineup.

While yield monitors have become base equipment on new combines, Lambert says there’s still a lot of gains to be made. He says within their customer base only 25% are maximizing their use of soil sampling, variable rate fertilizer, and yield data.

“The piece that is missing is we are using the tools, and the amount of acres that are being pushed to 100% of potential or realizing the limited potential on certain acres,” he says. “What’s undervalued is spending time with a an agronomic advisor that can use a combination of those three simple tools that have been around for a long time, and put together a realistic plan that’s going to give you the biggest bang for your buck.”

The team is Centra Sota is also ready to help farmers adopt new technologies such as variable rate irrigation and spray drones. Lambert says they are keenly focused at helping farmers find success.

“A lot of the customers that we work with its their livelihood, their income for the year is based on their success of their business,” he says. “The ability to buy Christmas present comes down from good advice and good products. So that’s what my boss told me and I tried to tell everybody. We’re here to do what’s right for the customer first.”

Hear from on The Scoop podcast

At Its Core, Soil Sampling Can Be Improved

Tue, 25 Apr 2023 17:38:38 GMT

The basic process of soil analysis as a fertility management tool has not changed much since the 1950s, but how that soil is farmed and what is expected from it have changed. At one time, pulling four or five soil cores from a 40-acre field, mixing them in a bucket and sending a single sample bag off to the local Extension office for testing was “good enough.”

But just as fields and farms got larger, soil variability was recognized, and technology advanced. GPS introduced precision agriculture’s version of the classic game Battleship—it divided fields by 2.5-acre grids. It totally transformed how we approached soil sampling and field fertility. With the ability to precisely apply varying amounts of fertilizer in each grid within a field using that same GPS technology, the business of soil sampling ultimately shifted into overdrive.

Such a soil sampling renaissance only hyper-exposed the primary issue that has plagued the process from its very be-ginning. That issue is that it is still an intensively manual endeavor. Starting and stopping in a field every 330 feet, pulling six to eight cores and bagging and tagging each grid sample is mind-numbing and physically unsustainable on a large scale. So given that testing soil properties is now entrenched as the bedrock of most precision agriculture agronomy programs, it only makes sense that technologies are finally rising up to redefine what soil “sampling” and “analysis” look like in the 21st century.

A true robotic soil “sampler” is just one of those technologies. It goes directly after the “labor” issue at the heart of today’s soil sampling regime. Rogo Ag LLC based out of West Lafayette, Indiana, has developed its SmartCore autonomous soil sampling system. Using a tracked Bobcat skid-steer chassis, it navigates fields using digital field boundary algorithms and Lidar sensors, which transmit beams of light to detect objects in the surrounding environment. The robotic system collects samples through a hydraulic auger bit, which is configured so that no soil escapes the core. SmartCore is able to return to each location at any point in the future using RTK GPS and built-in navigational programming. This ensures accuracy, purity and depth control. The creators of SmartCore say such preciseness reduces sampling errors by as much as 20%, which can have significant implications on profit per acre.

But what if you didn’t need an actual soil lab? A small but significant step toward a virtual soil lab is a hybrid soil sampling model currently being deployed by SoilOptix, a company in Ontario, Canada. The system uses radiation sensors in conjunction with traditional soil sampling. It works by driving over a field with a small vehicle fitted with the scanner that measures the natural gamma radiation emitted by the soil.

After the data are collected and “ground-truthed” with old-fashioned soil samples, the result is a resolution of more than 335 points per acre and up to 25 different layers of data. SoilOptix can map micro- and macronutrients, plant-available water, soil texture, pH and salinity at square-meter levels.

But what if you could watch what’s going on with your soil 24/7 and not wait a year or even four years to get an update on its health? Teralytic is a New York-based soil analytics company that has developed what could be best described as a Fitbit for your fields. Each one of the company’s soil probes contains two sensors, including what they claim is the world’s first NPK sensor.

Through wireless technology, the probes can transmit weather, soil moisture, pH, salinity, light and even aeration and respiration taking place within the growing crop. It updates all that information every 15 minutes.

Real-time data are also provided by Precision Planting’s SmartFirmer, which was introduced in 2017. The SmartFirmer is a sensor-ladened seed firmer that attaches to your planter’s row units. The firmer’s sensor measures temperature, moisture, furrow uniformity, residue and organic matter.

Having such “real-time” soil information allows for “on-the-fly” variable-rate seeding and fertility prescriptions. The number of data points created by such sensors because of their continuous sets of streaming data is nothing short of mind-boggling. I’m sure there is much more planter or implement-based monitoring to come.

The soil testing process is ripe for improvements. Soil testing is the most basic of basics when it comes to producing a crop. And like one of my good precision ag colleagues likes to say, “If you don’t test, it’s just a guess.”

Retailer Takes Selective Spraying To The Field

Wed, 08 Feb 2023 01:05:28 GMT

As one of the first retailers to commercial selective spraying in their agronomic offering, Jeff Crissinger, VP of Agronomy Sales/Marketing at NuWay-K&H Cooperative shares how they are positioning this technology with growers in 2023.

There are two selective spraying systems available today—John Deere’s and Greeneye Technology’s.

NuWay-K&H Cooperative will be outfitting one of their Hagie sprayers with the Greeneye Technology system. Crissinger shares the co-op team made the decision to pursue offering selective spraying for the 2023 growing season in July 2022.

“We had been paying attention to selective spraying from its early stages,” he says. “We were understanding that someday this was going to affect our business—we were going to go into some type of site specific methodology for weed control.”

While some have said this type of technology could be a threat to traditional ag retail, Crissinger says their team sees it as an opportunity.

“Once we made the decision that this was the future of application, it was pretty much a no brainer to say we need to get involved with it right away on the on the front end so that we can help control the conversation and make sure that it gets brought to the marketplace properly,” he says.

For 2023, the team will be focusing on offering selective spraying as a specialty application service and have a goal of covering 10,000 acres.

“Our primary customers that we’re going to be implementing first will be customers that have us already custom application for them,” he says. “We’re going to use it pre planned incorporated applications, pre emerge applications and post emerge applications.”

Because it’s harder to predict product usage rates in the selective spraying tank, the team is looking to simplify that part of the program.

“We’ve selected what product combinations we’re going to use at each timing aspect and with each crop so that we can manage that peace of it. But with dual boom technology, you’ve still got a lot of flexibility,” he says. “You can either layer residuals on it to keep weeds from coming up in the first place and then use the selective spraying system to kill any emerged weeds at that time. So in that case, you’re relying completely on the selective spraying opportunity to control emerged weeds. Or you could use layered contact herbicide approach where you’re doing a complete herbicide program through the broadcast line. And then adding more herbicide or pesticide power through the selective spraying like to layer contact herbicides to get better overall control or maybe kill a little larger weed if that’s kind of what you’re after. So we see three or four different ways that we’re going to utilize this in the marketplace.”

Crissinger shares more about the approach NuWay-K&H takes to bring technologies to the field in The Scoop podcast:

Solinftec’s “Clean Field As a Service” Via Its Solar Powered Unmanned Sprayer

Thu, 22 Sep 2022 02:03:41 GMT

For the past three years the team at Solinftec has been working on advancing its solar powered autonomy platform. They have tested both a scouting machine and are in the first year of testing a selective spraying machine.

Leo Carvalho, director of operations for Solinftec, says the company has been testing different machines with specified applications in Brazil, Canada and the U.S.

“We understand there are differences between these regions—the crops grown and the pain points for farmers,” Carvalho says.

In the U.S., he says the work done so far has encouraged Solix robotics to first tackle the issue of weed control. First, the announced the Solix Scouting machine. Now, they will offer Solix Spraying.

“We want to reduce the amount of herbicide used,” he says. “To do that, we need to identify 100% of the kinds of weeds and act in the field to make spot spray applications.”

With one year of testing in conjunction with Purdue University, the Solix Ag sprayer has shown up to 70% reduction in herbicide used.

The robot is 2.5 meters and is powered by four solar panels. The spot spray system has been developed by Solinftec’s engineering team to provide plant level management. Carvalho explains the Solix Ag sprayer can cover almost 100 acres/day.

“We have a concept that can run constantly as long as field conditions and weather conditions are fit,” he says.

As previously announced, Solinftec has partnered with Growmark to test its scouting robot . And the company recently announced a partnership with FBN to test the sprayer.

Clean Field As a Service Business Model

In 2023, there will be 30 Solix Ag robots in the U.S. and Canada. The company aims to open sales for the 2024 season with a goal of 150 sold in the U.S. and Canada.

The machines are introducing what Solinftec calls “clean fields as a service.” They are encouraging retailers to embrace a new pricing model based on performance.

“We have made these developments quickly. In one year, we have had one prototype doing testing and this coming year we will have 30,” he says. “This is a great opportunity to put more technology in the ag retailer’s process and improve their business model. Today, they charge farmers for a two pass program. They’ve been selling product, but can shift to selling a service. Now, they can start to charge for clean fields.”

What’s Next For Solinftec’s Robot Platform

The Solix robot today collects data on crop populations, weed identification/densities, disease identification/ thresholds, insect identification/ thresholds, nutrient deficiency identification and densities, and other data points.

And Carvalho says the company is eyeing additional functionality on the robotic platform including soil compaction testing, nitrogen sampling and more.

This is the first hardware introduction for the company in North America. However, in the past 15 years Solinftec developed and sold on-board computers in Brazil via its Alice AI platform.

“We are looking to provide the next wave of agronomy. We have to be more efficient, and the only way to improve our production and feed the world is with technology. We can reduce products used, reduce costs, reduce compaction,” he says.

The Scoop Readers Name 2020 New Product of the Year

Wed, 21 Sep 2022 08:02:12 GMT

For the 14th year, our brand that serves ag retailers has hosted a New Product of the Year contest. For 2020, The Scoop’s readers voted and named SIMPAS from AMVAC and Trimble as the readers’ choice winner.

“We’re thrilled to be nominated and to win. We are inherently excited about the technology,” says Jim Lappin, AMVAC Director of SIMPAS Product Portfolio and Alliances. “We have been working on SIMPAS for several years. The more we interface with people the more excitement has been building in the marketplace.”

SIMPAS (Smart Integrated Multi-Product Prescription Application System) delivers three products individually and prescriptively in-furrow – optimizing input use to maximize productivity of every treated acre by prescriptively addressing agronomic needs through application of SIMPAS-applied Solutions.

This past year served as a pivotal year in the product’s trajectory. After three years of development and early testing, the company took the prototype SIMPAS to beta test with five retailers across the country.

“I’ve been part of the journey since SIMPAS was just a concept,” says Jason Jimmerson, SIMPAS Technologies Commercial Manager. “It’s been a powerful experience. And one of our beta testers said that this project was a new tool for his farm—a way to be more efficient that aligns with his passion for stewardship on top of making him more profitable.”

The beta testing solidified the product design and spring-boarded SIMPAS into distribution by Trimble for corn growers in 2021.

This technology is a tool that empowers trusted advisers to help further refine and improve agronomic recommendations and placements.

“Our goal is to solve geospatial agronomic problems in the field, and the trusted adviser is in the best position to have the knowledge and relationship with the operation in how the retailers can provide prescriptive services,” Lappin says. “The retailers we are talking to, have invested in prescription ag and have agronomists on the ground.”

Jimmerson adds that the true value of the system depends on the quality of the prescription made for the effective application of the specific inputs.

“We learned in 2020 and we are going to take this into 2021, that the cornerstone of success in using this system is the prescription,” Jimmerson says. “Often it’s the retailers who are taking the samples to measure pest pressures, agronomic deficiencies, and helping to define prescriptions to target location-specific needs within fields.”

Click here to read about the New Product of the Year Runner-Up

This technology sets the stage to rethink input application and what’s applied when.

“SIMPAS will redefine at plant return on investment, and it doesn’t matter which ‘at plant’ input,” Lappin says. “When you make whole field applications, you are getting an average result on a broad approach. But it’s smarter to use the products precisely. And as the analytical tools continue to get better, this system will get better. It will be more actionable for the grower---and how to get the best return for using a given input.”

Lappin also says SIMPAS has the potential to change how inputs are sold.

“When we listened to beta customers in 2020, we heard them talk about planting efficiency and leaving the shed in the morning, and then only needing to swap out containers when they swapped out seed. It’s a lot easier to lift a 20 lb. SmartCartridge container than dump a 50 lb. bag,” he says. “And we heard very positive feedback about how farmers want more real-time data on how much is being applied exactly where in a field. So we are working to deliver that real-time feedback loop.”

AMVAC has 25 potential SIMPAS-applied Solution projects in the pipeline for development with SIMPAS. Lappin shares the goal is to bring three to five new products a year and build a deeper bench of solutions delivered by SIMPAS.

More Possibilities In One Pass: Prescriptive Delivery System

Wed, 21 Sep 2022 07:58:52 GMT

New products are unlocking even more potential in what can be delivered in the planting pass. Beyond just delivering seed to the field, these crop protection and crop fertility solutions are offering greater efficiencies, additional agronomic products, and strengthening the bond between the farmer and the trusted advisor.

Prescriptive Delivery System

One such example is the SIMPAS application system from AMVAC being distributed via Trimble dealers.

“We’ve had retailers get on board with the system because they are focused on sustainability. We have other retailers who are focused on the consultancy/agronomic side,” says Jim Lappin, Director, SIMPAS-applied Solutions Product Portfolio and Alliances, AMVAC. “It’s all about helping the grower maximize yield and return on investment depending on their objectives and strategies for their business. A grower is always interested in optimizing yield and improving ROI, so it’s about the individual unique solutions that resonate with the grower.”

For 2020, The Scoop’s readers voted and named SIMPAS from AMVAC and Trimble as the readers’ choice winner. Read more about the 2021 New Product of the Year in the February issue of The Scoop.

The momentum of the SIMPAS system is picking up as since its introduction SIMPAS has grown its footprint from Colorado to New York and Louisiana to North Dakota.

Bringing new technologies such as SIMPAS requires engaging ag retailers and offering them opportunity in deploying these systems in the field.

“For our system, retailers are a critical link. They give agronomic advice in the product placement and prescription,” Lappin says. “Our SIMPAS system is another tool in the bag of tricks. SIMPAS is a possible pathway to get more product in a single pass. And we think this is important as usage of crop protection products in prescriptive applications will be the norm in the near future.”

Lappin has seen a double-digit growth in precision technologies in the past several years, about one-third of planters are outfitted for in-furrow fertilizer, and he says prescriptive applications are coming in foliar applications as well.

“Identify the problem and apply the solution where you have the problem. It just makes sense to be more precise,” he says.

In addition to growing its footprint, SIMPAS-applied Solutions (SaS) is adding more products as part of its prescriptive applied inputs with the planter pass.

The new products are iNvigorate, which is a biological aiming to improve nutrient uptake, and Verdesian’s IronClad IDC microSync micronutrient.

iNvigorate was developed by Agrinos, which is now part of American Vanguard Company. The product is marketed as a consortium of microbes applied to the soil to assist with nutrient uptake, improve fertilizer efficiency and optimize root growth. It can be used in corn and soybeans.

AMVAC and Verdesian further expand their partnership to offer products via SaS by adding IronClad IDC micronutrient, which is targeted for use in soybeans grown in areas with high pH and a history of iron deficiency chlorosis (IDC).

The portfolio already includes liquid and granular products:

AZTEC HC SmartCartridge Insecticide
COUNTER 20G SmartCartridge Insecticide / Nematicide
Force 10G HL Smart Cartridge Insecticide
Verdesian’s MicroSync ZINC micronutrient

All SaS products are applied with the SmartCartridge container technology, and multiple products (which now span insecticides, nematicides, and micronutrients) can be applied simultaneously.

In September, members from the SIMPAS team met with the team at Southern Ag Consulting for a hands-on demonstration and discussion that focused on how the technology fits their business.

Tech Takes the Wheel: John Deere Delivers Solutions Beyond Iron

Wed, 21 Sep 2022 03:49:56 GMT

The unifying theme of John Deere’s product launch is to increase productivity, profitability and sustainability. And the big green manufacturer is achieving that trifecta across all seven new products by intertwining iron and technology even closer.

“The line where the precision ag starts and the tractor stops is extremely gray. It used to be bolting on precision ag hardware, and now it’s part of what the tractor does,” says marketing manager Ryan Jardon. “Just as much as hydraulics, technology is what you get when you buy a tractor from John Deere. The deep integration of precision ag gives the ability for the tractor to do all the features customers want with no bolt-on harnessing and hardware. Our 7, 8 and 9 series tractors now have the same base level of precision ag integration. And sprayers and combines have gone through the same process to deliver on our precision ag opportunities.”

9 Series Delivers Power, Efficiency

The Model Year 2022 9 Series tractors span 200 hp and 12 models—six wheeled, three 2-track, and four 4-track models ranging from 390 to 640 hp. John Deere is the only manufacturer offering tractors in all three forms.

As marketing manager Ryan Jardon explains, this lineup features improved efficiencies with more horsepower and hydraulic capabilities. Powered by brand-new 13.6 L John Deere Powertech engines, the tractors are designed to stay in the power band longer, and optional hydraulic power management offers up to 50 more horsepower in high hydraulic demanding jobs. The largest model can provide up to 640 hp, is powered by a 15 L Cummins engine, and has up to 67,000 lb. of ballast.

“With more power, we beefed up the drivetrain, which increased the overall weight of the tractor, and it really allows you to hug the ground and get the traction needed for additional power,” Jardon says.

“Customers want to pull wider implements–or the same implements but faster–to do more work in less time. This tractor helps them be ready to go and get as much work done as they can in the time windows they have.”

All 9 series tractors are geared with the e18 powershift transmission.

Factory-integrated technology packages from the 7 and 8 series are now standard on the 9 Series with, StarFire 6000 receiver, AutoTrac, the Gen 4 CommandCenter and JDLink, to stream data to the John Deere Operations Center.

“Ultimately, precision ag has never been this easy for a four-wheel-drive customer,” Jardon says.

In the newly designed cab, the operator is optionally heated, ventilated and features massage.

“There’s plenty of adjustability in the seat, and there’s a bigger fridge and more storage,” Jardon says. “We know long days are inevitable, and we want operators to be comfortable. We also have device power connectors so whatever you want to plug into the cab, it’s there to keep you running.”

In summary, Jardon says, “It’s the technology and the brains within these tractors that sets them apart. They provide high power, power to the ground, and efficiencies to do a lot of work and do it precisely. That’s where the industry is going.”

8 Series Delivers New Integrated Solutions

Ranging from 230 to 410 hp, the 15 models of 8 Series tractors are available across three forms: wheeled, two track and four-track. Also like its big brother in the 9 series, 8 series tractors come factory equipped with JDLink connectivity, an integrated StarFire 6000 GPS receiver, Generation 4 CommandCenter display and AutoTrac guidance.

The 8 Series front axle options include mechanical front-wheel-drive or independent link suspension. Three transmission options include 16-speed PowerShift; e23 PowerShift, or the Infinitely Variable Transmission with optional CommandPRO.

With the new 8 Series, John Deere deepening its focus on how its machinery is more about delivering agronomic solutions than just iron, and it has two new offerings as examples.

The first example is ExactRate Tanks, which are an industry first, factory installed tractor/planting solution.

“This is the next step for a green on green solution as we strive to make things easy for our customer. Our customers know of the agronomic benefits to apply nitrogen with the planter pass and at sidedress, but it hasn’t been easy until now,” says Jardon. “With ExactRate Tanks, everything is turn key for the grower. Our John Deere dealers can be a one-stop shop to eliminate the pain points of aftermarket tanks and plumbing.”

ExactRate Tanks provide up to 1,000 gal. of liquid fertilizer carrying on the tractor with an additional 600 gal. mounted on the planter. Setup on 8RX tractors paired with 1775NT planters, transport speed is up to 20 mph and in-field the tractor.

A second technology example is the new John Deere Central Tire Inflation System (CTIS), which optimizes tire pressure to be higher for over the road transport and then lower during in-field operations.

“This will allow customers to easily make tire pressure adjustments that just weren’t practical before,” Jardon says. “And this will help minimize the soil compaction.”

Seeding Tool Enhancements

For model year 2022, John Deere will offer three enhancements to its air seeding lineup. RelativeFlow Blockage Detection will have wider availability across all widths and all products. In-cab TruSet downforce provides adjustments to ensure proper seed depth. And Pro Series Quick-Change blades will provide a 45% improvement per blade for changeovers.

The company has also announced a new model naming system highlighting series, opener style and width.

All-Season Machines For All Field Conditions

Marketing manager Joel Basinger says sprayers need to be able to not only delivery high capacity and high accuracy but also be ready to head to the field when field conditions are prime. For model year 2022, John Deere is introducing new 400 series, 600 series and Hagie STS sprayers.

“We have a complete offering for all sprayer customers,” Basinger says.

The Hagie STS models have been redesigned from the ground up. The new chassis, styling, and suspension are highlights of the major changes. The cab, which features hands-free entry, has been carried over from the x9 combine with some sprayer specific changes.

With the new design, the sprayers offer the Hagie trademarks of 52/48 weight split; up to 76” clearance, and the front-facing hybrid boom, along with optional all-wheel-steer, nutrient toolbar, and Montag cover crop attachment.

“These sprayers are powered by John Deere Powertech 9.0 L engines, and are 300 hp and 400 hp—the highest horsepower for a row crop sprayer in North America,” Basinger says.

The three models are STS12 with 1200 gal; STS16 with 1600 gal; and STS20 with 2000 gal. The 2000 gallon machine is the largest capacity sprayer John Deere offers.

The STS models feature the Gen 4 CommandCenter, StarFire 6000 receiver, AutoTrac and JDLink. ExactApply is also now available on the STS models.

Also in the new lineup are the refreshed 400 and 600 Series which aim to increase the productivity with reliability. The medium chassis 400 series spans four models: 408R with 800 gal; 410R with 1000 gal; 412R with 1200 gal; and 400R with dry spinner.

The large chassis 600 series includes three models: 612R with 1200 gal; 616R with 1600 gal; and 600R with dry spinner.

Carbon fiber booms are optional, and Exactly Apply with boom recirculation is available on steel booms.

First Product In The See & Spray Portfolio

Since its acquisition of Blue River Technologies in 2017, John Deere has made it publicly known of its intent to develop plant-by-plant application solutions. Now, the company is introducing the first product in its See & Spray lineup---See & Spray Select, which is the result of a development partnership with University of Southern Queensland in Australia.

See & Spray Select is a factory installed option available on the new 400 and 600 Series sprayers.

“We are launching our first product in the See & Spray lineup, and this will be a journey,” Basinger says. “We’ve been waiting on be able to introduce this first product, and there will be lots of things to talk about in the next two, three, and four years.”

In this initial production introduction, John Deere is focusing See & Spray Select to be used in rotations that include chemical fallow acres—and in the North American markets that means primarily in the western plains and pacific northwest.

“This system today doesn’t distinguish weed from crop, it doesn’t distinguish different greens,” Basinger says.

The technology detects a growing plant and selectively sprays a targeted application at 12 mph. The See & Spray system captures field images with 36 cameras across a 120’ boom (27 cameras on a 90’ boom), and collects application as-applied maps and data.

If the owner wants, they can switch over from See & Spray to broadcast spraying with a switch in the cab. Basinger says this makes John Deere stand out as the only OEM spraying manufacturer to offer a factory-installed spot spray and broadcast solution in one machine.

Per research across 75,000 acres, See & Spray Select can provide an average reduction of non-residual, pre-emerge herbicides by 77%, which could allow farmers to reallocate those previous input expenses to other areas of their operation and the system will allow growers to use more complex tank mixes than were available in the past.

“We used to farm on a field, then it went to zones, and then rows, and our goal is to be managing plant-by-plant,” Basinger says. “We want to use sensing technologies to identify weeds and potentially diseases. There is a lot that artificial intelligence will open up.”

John Deere says it’s working with multiple development partners in this space, including the team at Blue River Technologies.

From tractors to See & Spray technology, John Deere’s launch demonstrates the company’s commitment to deliver technology to customers that can improve the way they farm.

Maximize Your Planter Pass: An On-furrow Program Offers Payback

Wed, 21 Sep 2022 02:14:10 GMT

Months of planning precede each planter pass on Joe Zumwalt’s farm in Warsaw, Ill. He knows his in-furrow program can set the stage for a healthy and high-yielding crop.

“We are accomplishing a lot more goals in-furrow than I would have imagined five years ago,” he says. “Our planter applies liquid fertilizer or starter, insecticide, herbicide and plants all in one pass. I am not wanting to put an immense amount of product out in the spring. I just want enough to give seedlings a boost and safety.”

WIN THE FURROW

Base your in-furrow program and products on your soil type and seed.

In lighter soils, where seed burn might be an issue, consider a low-salt fertilizer if it’s directly in-furrow, says Missy Bauer, Farm Journal Field Agronomist. However, with new technology, such as a FurrowJet (Precision Planting) or Y-Not Split-It (Schaffert Manufacturing), a less expensive 10-34-0 applied into the seed trench sidewall has proven effective as well as economical.

“Placement can change what you do from a crop safety perspective,” she says. “As you change placement, it allows you to run different types of fertilizer products, some of which are much less expensive.”

Know your end goal so your in-furrow program complements your season-long plan, Bauer says.

“Starter fertilizer is called ‘starter’ for a reason,” she says. “It’s not your season-long fertilizer program.”

Zumwalt does a fall nitrogen fertilizer pass, and then adds around 5 gal. of starter nitrogen fertilizer in-furrow at planting.

“The reason I do just that amount is I come back and sidedress by V4 another 40 to 60 units of nitrogen,” he says. “I don’t have to put all the additional nitrogen on at planting, since I’m an early sidedresser. I just want the benefit of starter.”

In-furrow applications will slow down your planting progress, Bauer says, but the benefits can outweigh the costs. To evaluate the success of your program, look beyond yield.

“Evaluate your early growth,” Bauer says. “Is your in-furrow fertilizer program making the plant bigger and green-er and advancing its maturity? Are your in-furrow insecticides creating better uniformity, stand counts and ear counts?”

MEASURE ROI

Zumwalt sees ROI in improved plant health and greater insect and bacteria protection, which all lead to higher yields.

“I would speculate the in-furrow treatments add 2 bu. to 4 bu. on corn,” he says. “As we build out our program for soybeans, I’m guessing returns could be 3 bu. to 5 bu.”

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