Uniformity and input savings have driven Nathan Lykins’ investment in precision technology. He started with just a yield monitor, built to boom shutoffs on their sprayer and now uses row clutches and hydraulic drives on their planter and variable rate fertilizer application.

Long relying on yield monitors, grain cart scales and visual cues such as angled row ends when planting crops, in 2011 Marion Calmer invested in Case IH WAAS Accuguide auto-steer.

Ray McCormick’s goal is achieving healthy, functioning soils through never-till, cover crops, nutrient management and technology.

Once a dealership owner himself and now a full-time farmer, Bob Bottens has gotten to view precision technology from both sides of the tractor door.

Chris Breen, who farms with his father, Pat, is in charge of most of the precision technologies used on their South Dakota farm — which encompasses most all of their equipment.

Mike Zimmerman uses auto-steer to take stress and waste out of his field operations. For the past 8 years, auto-steer has kept his lines straight and given him the ability to better monitor seeder and sprayer operations instead of focusing solely on driving the tractor. He has auto-steer in two tractors and his sprayer.

Dean James got his first piece of precision equipment, a yield monitor for the farm’s combine, in 1998. It paid for itself in two years by quantifying how much yield was lost due to edge effect in tree-lined fields.

When it comes to precision technology, Wenning keeps it pretty basic. But the tools he does use play an essential role in keeping his operation efficient and productive. One of Wenning’s main tools is his Loup Electronics yield monitor.