Erin Hightower is an agronomist for RDO Equipment Co. based in Pasco, Wash., where she consults with growers on precision agriculture adoption. She has a Master of Sciences in Agriculture, and Bachelor of Sciences in Agriculture Economics and Management from Washington State University. Email Erin at @ehightower@rdoequipment.com or connect with her on Twitter @RDOErinH.
RDO Equipment Co.'s account managers or customer service advisors periodically ask me to check on a producer's operation through a “buddy seat meet and greet.”
Farming requires daily problem-solving: operators, equipment managers, and farm owners are often asked to make informed decisions within a short period. How can they mindfully manage their mental load?
"We are experiencing a technological renaissance that would have seemed like science fiction just 30 years ago when it comes to data in the field," Erin Hightower says.
During the National No-Till Conference, attendees discussed the future benefits of seeding populations and row width to create a cleaner field, leading to a profitable harvest. These discussions are only as profitable for you as the data you collect in the field and the management of every individual seed.
While no one can predict the future, implementing precision agriculture practices with connected machines can help growers of any size to see the relationship between the work we have completed and the harvest.
It has been said that winning in chess is all a matter of understanding how to leverage each piece and timing their moves just right. To move each piece of the 4R’s in the right way at the right time, you don’t need to be a chess master -- but mastering your technology is always a winning strategy.
Farmer health and safety is a part of more conversations than ever, and the latest agriculture and equipment technology offers new levels of not just productivity and efficiency but safety, too, through real-time communication and data.
"During a recent field technology day with Pacific Northwest growers we focused on helping growers to manage their minimum till operation as it changes throughout the growing season," says RDO agronomist Erin Hightower. "Growers asked us questions like: What tool can help me to manage pesticide application and input costs as the needs of my crop change?"
We’ve been busy over here in the Technology Corner preparing for the 10th annual Precision Farming Dealer Summit, taking place Jan. 6-7 in downtown Louisville, Ky. Skip Klinefelter, CEO of Ag Technology Solutions Group in Greenville, Ill., will be one of several speakers sharing their unfiltered perspective on the state of precision ag.
The college offers an associate degree in Applied Science in Agriculture (60 credit hours). Students enrolled in this program may specialize in precision farming technology by selecting up to 15 credit hours in this area and agriculture business, sales and agronomy.
The college offers an AAS in Precision Agriculture and customized precision ag- related training for agricultural producers, insurance underwriters, equipment dealer and agricultural cooperative employees and others.
Offering training on Ag Leader, Trimble, Reichhardt, Norac and Integris Systems in twice yearly customer training events (spring/fall). Also offering individual training opportunities on any HTS Ag products and SMS software, year round.