New Agribusiness Software Increases Productivity

Raven Industries' Viper 4

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Several new grower-focused software products have been recently released, including one program that was named United Fresh’s 2013 Best New Food Safety Solution. Here is a roundup of some of the latest software programs designed to increase efficiency and productivity on the farm.

Raven Viper 4

Raven’s Viper 4 field computer offers a 12.1-inch touchscreen, with a customizable interface. With data management capabilities and a customizable user interface, users can create machine profiles and user profiles, and store information in one networked platform. The Viper 4 uses the new Raven Operating Software.

“Data management is critical to our customers’ success. Viper 4 hardware, software, and third-party applications will operate separate from each other, providing an open platform for data management with our Slingshot(R) API platform and agX(TM) compatibility,” said Matt Burkhart, vice president and general manager for Raven’s Applied Technology Division.

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For more information, visit ravenprecision.com/products/field-computers/viper-4.

AGERpoint Inc. Data Managment System

AGERpoint

AGERpoint, Inc., offers a comprehensive data management system — Grove Tracker — that captures statistical and photographic inventory of orchards and vineyards. Growers are able to monitor the inventory broadly or as narrow as down to a single tree. Information captured includes tree trunk diameter, canopy diameter, leaf color, leaf density, tree count, and tree height.

The Capture system uses 3D laser scanning, survey GPS, HD video cameras, and optical sensors to acquire the data to assess the strengths, weaknesses, and future potential of a block. The information collected during the growth stages, harvest, and delivery can be accessed and shared through a web-based interface and can be categorized by orchard, block, and row. Data is gathered through a scanner mounted on a vehicle that is driven through the orchard, providing heath information. GPS provides point-by-point location of the trees and the individual status of each tree. This allows growers to keep tabs on the productivity and health of their orchards.

“We think that our new solutions will provide growers with unprecedented access to critical information, giving growers greater understanding of their crop holdings can dramatically increase productivity,” says Thomas McPeek, AGERpoint president.

For more information visit AGERpoint.com.

FoodLink Item

FoodLink Item

FoodLink Item is cloud-based software that focuses on traceability. The software adds individual tracing information — in the form of unique QR codes — to packaged produce items. Data from each farm is automatically added to a database when the produce is picked, where it can be traced throughout the fresh supply chain. Information can be accessed by scanning the code on the package with a smartphone or tablet.

FoodLink Item was recently named United Fresh Produce Association’s 2013 Best New Food Safety Solution winner.

“We are honored to be recognized in this way by the members of United Fresh,” said Eric Peters, CEO, FoodLink. “A big part of food safety is having the right information at the right time, and with products like FoodLink Item, we’re helping our customers get better insight into shoppers at the store as well as into operational issues that affect food safety and freshness across the entire supply chain.”

For more information about FoodLink Item, visit foodlink.net/foodlink-item/.

Farmlogs

FarmLogs

Farmlogs is a web-based farm management program. The software is designed for growers to plan, manage, and analyze operations on multiple platforms. Information such as planting, fertilizing, and harvesting can be tracked thorugh FarmLogs’ software. The software also helps growers with forecasting yields and measuring profits. Farmlogs also helps growers manage sales and schedule while monitoring the weather and prices in the local market.

Mobile apps for Android and iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch are available for download on iTunes or Google Play store. The mobile apps provide an easy interface for growers to input information while in the field or on the go.

For more information, visit FarmLogs.com.

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