When the corn begins to grow in research fields used by the University of Illinois, a robot sets to work. It goes up and down the rows, hoeing out weeds and applying herbicide. It is slow, but it works 24 hours a day in most kinds of weather and has few needs except batteries and […] Read more
Tag Archives Technology — page 2
VIDEO: Field access to wi-fi eases data collection
INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. — A small antenna mounted on top of a tractor, sprayer or combine can now give farmers wi-fi access in the field from their home router. Ayrstone Productivity of Minnesota created the tractor-based wi-fi system to give farmers access to their farm equipments’ production data and use their laptop, smartphones and other equipment […] Read more
New app manages farm information wirelessly
Scott Andrew was a computer savvy young farmer, but he wondered why was he still spending hours piecing together the bits and bytes of information produced on his farm. “It was three or four years ago and I started recording information on my smartphone,” said Andrew, who farms near Darlingford, Man. “It was better than […] Read more
Three equipment award winners from Canada
AE50 Awards | The competition celebrates the professional tools that drive improvements to agricultural equipment
LOUISVILLE, KY. — Agricultural engineering produces the technologies of growth, from farm machinery to processing to husbandry technologies. The American Society of Agricultural and Biotechnological Engineers gather each year to discuss new technology and its place in agricultural production. During that meeting they hand out 50 awards for the best new products from the previous […] Read more
3D printing may help farmers
Make your own parts | New technology could help growers design small pieces, says inventor
The Saskatchewan inventor who caused an online firestorm with his redesigned 3D printer says the technology could have huge implications for farmers. “I wouldn’t say you could fix everything on your farm with one now, but it’s going to be a technology similar to the lathe,” Rylan Grayston said about the machines, which enable users […] Read more
Farmsight ‘strategy’ links farmer, machine, data
MyJohnDeere.com | Information on field conditions, agronomy and machinery telematics is gathered to tell situation on farm
DES MOINES, Iowa — Dave Everitt is excited. After 37 years of developing and marketing the world’s best known machinery, he has seen some big changes in agriculture. However, he said the technology that farmers are getting today is revolutionary. Everitt, president of John Deere’s agriculture and turf division, said strong agricultural commodity prices are […] Read more
GPS for steering wheel
DURHAM, N.C. — TeeJet Technologies, known best for its spraying systems and nozzles, has come up with a steering wheel motor drive. While the concept dates back to the first GPS guidance system, the refinements to the units and their accuracy have improved over the years. Tim Stuenkel of TeeJet said the company saw the […] Read more
Robots ease dairy producers’ labour pains
Garth Hockley couldn’t help himself as he stood next to a robotic milking machine inside his barn: he had to grin as he admired the technology. “I never get tired of watching it,” said Hockley, who opened up his dairy farm to visitors for the National Holstein Convention held in Brandon last month. Hockley, who […] Read more
Choose the right path before the crop goes down the drain
BRANDON — John Gehrer would likely say there is no single best combinatino of GPS control systems to manage field drainage. The Niverville, Man., farmer spent last summer comparing drainage control technologies. He also does custom spraying and drainage work, and has been using GPS since 1997. In a recent presentation, he touched on the […] Read more
Tiny particles may have big environmental impact
Nanotechnology studied | Nano particles, structures and sensors may improve agriculture, but effects on people, animals and soil unknown
There is a lot of anticipation about the application and potential benefits of nanoagriculture but little said about the risks. The goal of nanotechnology in agriculture is to boost the productivity of plants for food, fuel and other uses, but the American Chemical Society reported its reservations in a podcast. “Scientists are describing huge gaps […] Read more
