Tools For Efficiency

It is no secret that the world’s population is expected to reach more than 9 billion by 2050 and that growers will have to pick up the pace in order to keep up with demand. That’s a tall order to fill. Among many other things, growers will have to increase efficiencies in all areas of production.

Using the latest technology is one way to go about this. In the area of precision ag, growers have numerous tools and components at their disposal. Here are some newer products designed to help them achieve the goal of increasing efficiencies on the farm.

Multi-Use Modem

The DCM-300 modem from Trimble provides growers with access to the company’s VRS Real-Time Kinematic (RTK) corrections and handles wireless data transfer to deliver information to and from the field or track assets.

The modem also is compatible with the new Farm Works Dispatch asset tracking software. Dispatch software uses wireless communications and GPS to manage vehicle movement and productivity. The additional functionality provided by a Dispatch service plan offers farm managers a visual tool for organizing fleet movement to save fuel costs and increase equipment efficiency.

In addition, the DCM-300 modem is available in two models for use on Global System for Mobile Communications (GSM) cellular networks, such as AT&T, or Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA) cellular networks, such as Verizon. The modem is available with a single data plan subscription.

For more information, go to www.trimble.com/agriculture.

SmartPath Guidance

SmartPath, a new “drive and guide” guidance pattern, is available with any of Ag Leader’s manual guidance, assisted steering, or automated steering products, including the INTEGRA and EDGE displays, as well as the OnTrac2 and ParaDyme steering systems.

No setup is needed. Growers drive the first pass, and SmartPath takes over guidance from there, says product manager Matt Leinen. “This is particularly beneficial in odd-shaped or terraced fields as well as fields without established guidance lines,” he adds.

SmartPath joins a family of guidance patterns available with Ag Leader’s guidance and steering, including Straight AB, A+, Identical Curve, Adaptive Curve and Pivot. It is available in the following firmware releases: Version 1.5 of the INTEGRA display and Version 3.5 of the EDGE display.

For more information, go to www.agleader.com.

Ag Controller

Topcon Precision Agriculture’s System 350 for global precision agriculture features the new all-in-one X30 control console. The X30 controllers include spraying, spreading, or planting and feature innovative efficiency tools such as virtual switchbox, channel-based pressure control, and auto coverage to help ensure no gaps or overlap.

The console features a large 12.1-inch multi-touch screen and also provides multiple input/output features for maximum data use. A “Client/Farm/Field/Job” menu lets growers save multiple fields and tasks for different farms, then create detailed reports for data tracking and multi-year analysis.

In addition, simplifying navigation, the user never leaves the home page: it’s always in view. For more information, go to www.topconpa.com.