Jerl Joseph of Joseph Farms in Hampton, Neb., says on his irrigated and dryland crops, GPS-driven precision farming tools have helped him identify problem spots in fields. It helps him adjust seeding and fertility rates, and while it hasn't been a seamless journey, Joseph says it makes him a better farm manager.
Larry Tombaugh says he used to make mistakes farming, but now he calls them “experiments.” That change in attitude has helped him achieve yields near 284 bushel per acre for corn and 80 bushel per acre soybeans on his Streator, Ill., operation.
Accepting precision farming as a necessary evil is an approach that some farm equipment dealers take to justify their investment in a business they perceive to be only a complement to machinery sales.
As precision farming practices continue to infiltrate more farms overall, technology is an essential part of strip-tillers' operations. Talking with farm equipment dealers, several have cited strip-till products as an emerging opportunity to complement sales of GPS systems and RTK subscriptions.
I had the chance to sit in on a panel discussion about autonomy and automation at the National Farm Machinery Show earlier this month. The panel featured leaders from Sabanto, Solinftec, Agtonomy and Case IH.
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.