A farmer and a Toronto entrepreneur have taken their dream from door knocking to delivery in 2 1/2 years. Norm Lamothe and David MacMillan came together to lift agricultural aerial drones to the level of large-scale service provider. “When you have a family farm with limited acres you need another plan to ensure you have […] Read more
Tag Archives precision agriculture — page 4
Soil mapping soon to be more usable
Digital platform provides access to information about Saskatchewan soils collected throughout the 20th century
The first phase of the Saskatchewan Soil Information System is expected to be launched for early 2018. The SKSIS is a digital platform that stores and allows access to information on Saskatchewan soils collected throughout the 20th century, including soil surveys. Angela Bedard-Haughn of the University of Saskatchewan said soil surveys are a great resource […] Read more
Managing fields could soon move to plant level
CHICAGO, Ill. — One of the pioneers of the big data movement is ready to take the next step. “We want to go from field-level data to plant-level data,” said Keith Soltwedel, marketing manager with John Deere Intelligent Solutions Group. “I know we might all laugh today, but I think that’s coming, where we’re going […] Read more
Precision ag evolving quickly
If you’re a Canadian grain grower in the 21st century and you’re not using precision agriculture tools to reach your full productive potential, then it might be time to reassess the way you’re doing things on the farm. That was the key message delivered by speakers and representatives from various agriculture technology companies who attended […] Read more
VIDEO: Drones get civilized for agriculture
As drones become more affordable and flyable, an increasing number of growers are kicking the propellers as they try to figure out how to implement this emerging technology on their farms. The sky’s the limit in terms of the possible agricultural applications, but there is a limit to the amount of time and money farmers […] Read more
Preflight checklists make flights safe and data sound
When farmers are preparing drones for the season’s reconnaissance, there are vital preparations and decisions that must first be addressed. Producers should have a checklist of things to look at before launching their drones. First, says Felix Weber, operators must check to see whether they have the right approvals. “The law has changed as of […] Read more
Mini-drone fitted with sensor to aid crop scouting
Farmers know the value of early field scouting: finding stressed plants early can allow for quick intervention and save yields. The real question often comes down to a matter of cost efficiency: how much to pay up front in the hopes that the investment will pay off later? Crop scouting may have become more affordable […] Read more
Precison ag survey seeks more input
A survey on western Canadian farmers’ use of precision agricultural technology is winding its way to completion. Before it does, Dale Steele wants to encourage farmers of all kinds to respond, whether or not they use many or any precision tools or none at all. Steele, an agronomist well versed in agricultural technology, was contracted […] Read more
New technology debuts on Vegas strip
The French built DV Wing delta drone drew a lot of attention at the annual Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas. Agriculture equipment has long used the latest in research and technology, but recent tools are being viewed by a wider public as cutting edge. “The design is very good. When you have air disturbance, […] Read more
Trimble’s VerticalPoint RTK signal designed to hold longer
Land levelling contractors and tile drainage installers often experience 25 percent downtime due to weak or lost RTK signals. That equates to 75 percent uptime, which is unacceptable by anyone’s standard. Jarette Lawfield, a land levelling contractor in Catron, Missouri, runs six units as many hours per day as possible. Some of that equipment sits […] Read more
