Chemical overlap when spraying is costly in product and sometimes in added crop stress that can cut yield. But it’s next to impossible to prevent it on headlands and on point rows. Plus, sprayer skips can be costly when unsprayed weeds rob yields.
John Deere’s automated solution to these costly problems is Swath Control Pro, designed to control boom sections in its 4720 and 4920 self-propelled sprayers, as well as its brand new 30 series sprayers. Swath Control Pro is part of Deere’s GreenStar 2 (GS2) system, using GPS to turn boom sections on and off automatically, according to a coverage map.
To grasp how it works, view this animation of a tractor in the field and a view of the GS2 screen.
Content courtesy of Kurt Lawton, Farm Industy News.
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GPS-based variable-rate fertilizer application has become more mainstream in the past decade, thanks to research, technology, retailers’ promotion of the practice and growers’ success with it.
But according to site-specific leader Jess Lowenberg-DeBoer, the economic return has been modest at best due to added labor, test and equipment costs. Higher energy and fertilizer prices make variable rate more attractive, says the Purdue ag economist, but he’s unsure whether it will dramatically change the profit picture.
His best advice:
- Variable-rate lime applications are good value.
- If you have fields with geo-referenced data points of yield along with soil sample data points by management zone (random samples by soil type, not grid), then you’re better able to gain value from variable-rate N, P and K.
- Realize that cost savings and yield increases won’t always accompany site-specific fertilizer management.
- On fields you own or fields where you have longer-term lease agreements, build geo-referenced maps of yield, fertility and in-season attributes (drainage problems, weeds, insects, hybrids/varieties, etc.) and learn how to use history to make smart management decisions.
- Experiment with aerial crop sensing and other in-season research projects that could boost your bottom line.
Most experts agree that the next wave of on-the-go sensor technology — which will detect various nutrient levels, organic matter, soil texture and more — will truly help improve the value of variable-rate farming, especially when combined with RTK auto-guidance.
Content courtesy of Kurt Lawton, Farm Industry News.
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Farm Industry News gives a first look at GPS-based planter controls.
John Deere’s Swath Control Pro provides GPS-based boom section control for sprayers. Now John Deere is testing a Swath Control Pro system for planters to help farmers save seed costs. “Leveraging the technology from our GreenStar 2 [GS2] Rate Controller, we are currently developing a new system to turn planter sections on and off according to GPS coverage,” says Kayla Reynolds, manager for John Deere Ag Management Solutions. “This system will work automatically to help growers minimize double planting in headland and other areas of odd-shaped fields.”
Deere has partnered with Tru Count Inc., which developed a system of row-unit air clutches that allow individual planter units to engage or disengage. With the GS2 Rate Controller, up to 16 sections of the planter can be controlled automatically.
The system will be available for purchase in time for the 2008 planting season.
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Farm Industry News has produced a special e-newsletter that features articles about some of the latest precision agriculture technology.
The newsletter is designed to deliver timely educational information about tools and methods that can help growers profit from precision farming and first-hand grower experience with tools/services and the profit they achieve. Each issue will include two articles for each grower proficiency level (novice and pro). These pieces will focus on educational/news topics. Another story will highlight grower experience with precision farming profitability.
The articles in the first issue, written by reporter Kurt Lawton, cover a number of important topics, including:
Why let your tractor drive itself?
Lightbar versus assisted steering
Assisted steering and the value of RTK
First look at GPS-based planter controls
Grower experience: Why RTK?
Lots of valuable precision information here! To subscribe to this e-newsletter, click here.
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