Precision ag Archives - Page 10 of 15

Early results are in for variable-rate fertilizer economics

Researchers at Olds College are trying to determine the break-even point for producers

By Mark Halsall August 26, 2023

A primary argument for variable rate technology (VRT) is that it enables farmers to be more exact in their use of crop inputs. By breaking fields into specific zones where different or variable application rates can be used, producers are no longer tied to flat rate applications and can make targeted decisions on where and […] Read more

Columns, Editor's column

Editor’s column: Here’s to Prairie ag innovators

By Mark Halsall August 10, 2023

Innovations in digital agriculture technology continue at a blistering pace in lots of places around the globe. Some of you may wonder, how does Western Canada stack up? As you read through the pages of our July 11 issue of Grainews, the answer should be clear. Numerous stories in this issue attest that ag innovation […] Read more

Enterprise Machine Intelligence and Learning Initiative
(EMILI) is working with Geco Engineering to assess the
performance of Geco’s weed mapping technology for
predicting weed locations and detecting emerging herbicide
resistance. Summer student Ryan Ruchkall is among those at
EMILI’s Innovation Farms who are operating drones to collect
field data on kochia and wild oat.

Features

High-tech weed control to give farmers a look into how precise spraying can be

Digital tool can be used to predict where weeds will emerge and identify areas with herbicide resistance within fields

By Mark Halsall July 24, 2023

Saskatchewan farmer Carl deConinck Smith is a dedicated early adopter who likes to keep on top of the latest innovations in digital agriculture technology. No surprise then that he’s arranged to have some new precision ag tech put to use on his farm this summer. It’s a digital tool developed by Geco Engineering in Vancouver, […] Read more

Model year 2024 9RT tractors will get a 20-horsepower boost.

Machinery

Deere reveals model year 2024 tractor updates

Better connectivity and preparation for autonomy figure prominently

By Scott Garvey June 30, 2023

In March, Deere pulled the wraps off of the planned updates to the 2024 line of 7, 8 and 9 series tractors it will soon begin offering producers, giving those machines the features that the brand says will help “prepare (farmers) for the future of precision agriculture.” And that, of course, means more digital capability. […] Read more

Marla Riekman says building a soil’s resilience will help it meet challenges during the growing season and improve overall crop growth.

Crops, Features

Strategies to increase your field’s potential

A panel discusses the importance of soil structure, tile drainage benefits and using precision ag and conservation to increase farm profitability

By Jim Timlick February 23, 2023

Farming has existed in one shape or form for more than 10,000 years. While farming methods have evolved considerably over that time, one thing that has remained the same is a desire among producers to get the most possible out of their land. Improving every acre was the focus of a panel discussion at Canola […] Read more

Deere just introduced its ExactShot technology for planters. It applies liquid starter fertilizer only where seeds are planted, reducing the amount of fertilizer required.

Equipment, Machinery

John Deere introduces ExactShot for planters

Technology applies starter fertilizer precisely where seeds are planted

By Scott Garvey February 16, 2023

In January, John Deere was back as a key exhibitor in the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas, Nev. While the company’s exhibits have turned heads during the previous couple of CES events, this year the brand had an even larger presence. Its CEO, John May, was the keynote speaker at the show’s opening. And […] Read more

Equipment, News

Ag tech: Look before you leap

Consider these factors before you put your money into the latest ag innovation

By Jim Timlick February 14, 2023

Although it’s easy to be smitten with the latest precision agricultural technology, one expert in the field advises people to look before they leap when it comes to adopting the technological innovations on offer. “Do your homework and know that the return on investment or the value of a technology on one farm is not […] Read more

The green-on-green spray technology displayed here allows weeds to be detected and sprayed in a growing crop. Sprayer expert Tom Wolfe put spot spraying right up there in his list of top three transformative technologies during a recent presentation at the Manitoba Agronomists Conference.

Editor's column, Wheat & Chaff

Editor’s Column: Where the action is

By Mark Halsall February 10, 2023

There is no question spot sprayers are a hot topic in agriculture right now. As Scott Garvey reports in his article in our February 7, 2023 issue of Grainews, a new robotic spot sprayer called Solix from Solinftec, which is headquartered in São Paulo, Brazil, and in West Lafayette, Ind., could be available to Canadian […] Read more

The autonomous Solix can identify and spot spray weeds, as well as collect a wide variety of crop data in the process.

Equipment, Machinery

Robotic spot sprayer to hit the market in 2023

Solix can cover up to 100 acres per day

By Scott Garvey February 10, 2023

At the U.S. Farm Progress Show last August, Solinftec threw its hat into the autonomous ag machine ring for North America, debuting its robotic Solix spot sprayer. Solinftec, which is headquartered in São Paulo, Brazil, and in West Lafayette, Ind., announced prior to the show that it intends to make the Solix robot available in […] Read more

The percentage of canola growers using variable-rate fertilizer on all of their fields in 2021 was down slightly from the previous year.

Columns, Crops

Why are farmers slow to adopt variable-rate fertilizer technology?

Reasons for the slow adoption rate plus tips to get you started

By Ross H. McKenzie February 6, 2023

Variable-rate fertilizer (VRF) application has caught the interest of a lot of farmers over the past 15 years. However, the level of adoption of VRF has been slower than expected. A Fertilizer Canada survey of canola farmers in Western Canada in the fall of 2021 found only 10.2 per cent of growers used VRF application […] Read more

GFM Network News

B.C. ostriches culled, CFIA confirms

U.S. livestock: Cattle, hogs end week on high note

U.S. grains: Soybeans bounce as Chinese demand assessed, wheat drops

Precision ag