AgTech GIS Precision Ag Blog

AgLeader Training Summer 2011

Fri, 02 Sep 2011 19:35:42 -0400

Always learning! This summer I have attended the AgLeader Academy for the dealer training on 200 level GPS and Steering. Instructors Jordan and Seth gave us the run through on all of the newest updates to the OnTrac2 and Paradyme systems to hit the fields this year. With over 700 vehicles supported by the OnTrac2 and all the new Paradyme kits, there was a lot to cover. The focus is always hands on so the ride and drive to practice calibrating the systems was a big hit. Fortunately for all concerned I was riding, not driving. [More]

More from the Veg Tech X-change

Fri, 02 Sep 2011 16:15:00 -0400

AgTech GIS thanks Robinson Farms, Courtland for the lending us the TM140, fully kitted out with AgLeader Integra and OnTrac2 Steering system. What a pleasure it is to have an enthusiastic customer join us to talk about how these precision ag tools work for their operation. Look for more as we share this customer's experience checking out the AgLeader Paradyme update for this fall. Karon Cowan mapping@agtechgis.com www.agtechgis.com

First Ever Veg Tech Show Norfolk County

Fri, 02 Sep 2011 15:40:00 -0400

When I dropped off some of our display materials last weekend in preparation for the first ever Veg Tech Show Sept 1,2 and 3 2011 I was impressed with the site! The organizers have pulled out all stops to make both the hort/veg industry visitor, the consumer visitor and the exhibitors most welcome. More than anything I was impressed anew with the beauty of the area. Now that I have made the trek from Oxford County to Norfolk County several times throughuot setup and now the show I have been treated to the following wonders: [More]

InfoAg Conference Update

Sun, 17 Jul 2011 23:00:00 -0400

The 2011 InfoAgConference does not disappoint those who are involved with agricultural GIS, field mapping, data management and the latest technologies. From ag apps for iPad and smartphones to remote sensing imagery analysis and direct links from the cab to the office, this conference is not about the iron, but the core of precision ag which is, was and ever shall be about the information. This blog post is a snapshot of the things I learned on Day 1. [More]

Yield Mapping Part 5:Do I really have to calibrate again?

Sun, 17 Jul 2011 19:44:00 -0400

Yearly calibration is an important step to ensure realistic numbers for your yield data. If you are going to fuss over GPS accuracy, you should be equally fussed over this crucial yearly maintenance task. AgLeader Technology offers this advice in the June 2011 Insights Newsletter: [More]

Going the distance: Some travel notes

Sun, 17 Jul 2011 17:48:00 -0400

By the time I get back from my combined InfoAg, Peer Group Meeting, AgLeader Training week and a half, I will have spent a total of only 6 hours in the air but 8 hours on airport shuttles, 24 hours in the airport waiting for, delayed by, or in between flights and another hour or so in various taxis. It does give one a chance to think.These comments have nothing to do with precision ag but I just had to share the following: [More]

Yield Mapping Part 4: Pre Season Preparation

Sun, 17 Jul 2011 15:30:00 -0400

I know that some of you are already harvesting wheat, but this is a good list to look at before you start each crop. Getting ready for harvest means checking and servicing 4 important components: 1. Completing a vehicle inspection 2. Calibrating your sensors 3. Setting up your monitor in the cab 4. Get your software ready in the office. In fact, I recommend you start with software FIRST! Here is how: [More]

The PMR Project 3: Vehicle hits the road

Thu, 07 Jul 2011 19:46:00 -0400

From the time I picked up my new wheels until today, I have logged 16000 Km and averaged 37 mpg or whatever that converts to in KMs. I had no trouble navigating snowbanks through the winter and am enjoying the summer driving even more. My AgLeader shipments (which used to be about all I could do to heft them up into the pickup) are a breeze to load. So I can handle all the yield monitor orders you can throw at me! There has been some confusion about my choice of 'wrap graphics' so you be the judge. What do you see? [More]

Heck of a spring!

Wed, 06 Jul 2011 21:44:00 -0400

I am finally back online, after ignoring my blog in favour of the stream of face to face contact with customers! That sounds like a tech-unfriendly note, but I revel in seeing my longtime customers and truly enjoy visiting new customers and getting to know their operations in favour of the shiney beads that this web 2.0 world is laying out in front of us. Plus I have the new vehicle (see the PMR blog posts), which has made road work a dream: incredible mileage, comfortable cruise and a few tech goodies to pass the time (like on-board navigation on my Archer or Mesa). [More]

Beware of anyone who says they are the only

Wed, 30 Mar 2011 07:13:00 -0400

Warning to my customers who might accidentally call the phone number listed on the Farm Works Support hours page under Canada: This does not connect you to an official Farm Works location, just another dealer who has agreed to mimic the US support hours of operation. There are no resellers who have an exclusive right or endorsement to offer Farm Works support in Canada. [More]

Calculating Line Length in Farm Works

Thu, 24 Mar 2011 11:09:00 -0400

Size does indeed matter! Geographically speaking that is one of the main functions of an agricultural GIS; to calculate how much! How many acres and what is the distance from point A to point B? While there are excellent draw to measure tools in Farm Works where you can draw a line or region and see the size displayed in the lower right corner as you go, if you have declared the measurement system to be imperial (so area is in acres) you will be stuck with feet for the distance measurement. So how do you calculate in metric too? [More]

The PMR Project 2

Sun, 27 Feb 2011 17:35:00 -0400

The vehicle modifications on my new wheels is nearing the next stage. Many, many ideas have been floated. Some purely fabulous but outside of the budget. Finally, with the expert assistance of Foris Signs in Innerkip, Ontario we are another step closer. [More]

Farm Shows-You have to admire the effort

Mon, 21 Feb 2011 18:46:00 -0400

Every season is farm show season from the full fall feast of Canada's Outdoor Farm Show to South West Ag, London Farm Show, the new Veg Tech X-change, grower days and supplier showcases galore. I know I enjoy the opportunity to see long time customers and the chance to make new ones and there is nothing like a bit of carnival atmosphere to make tractors shinier and sales pitches sweet as cotton candy. You just have to admire the effort the exhibitors exhibit. But I worry when I hear information that is about as substantial as the pink stuff. [More]

Farm Works Housekeeping

Mon, 17 Jan 2011 23:36:00 -0400

For Ag software users, this is often the time when you finally get to sit down with the yield maps and all of the data collected last season. This is when users are faced with some less-than-perfect arrangements of data. My recommendation is to do a little housekeeping while the year is still fresh in your mind. The following are the most important dustballs to clear out of the data closet. [More]

Farewell 2010

Fri, 31 Dec 2010 13:52:00 -0400

The dying days of December is one of my favourite times of the year. My organized self manages to come out of hibernation for a flurry of file sorting and frenzy of data archiving. I sometimes even dust. With yield mapping services put to bed and usually a gap in soil sampling activity, there is time to review the year's work. The moving of files from this year to archive locations puts a lot of interesting filenames under the mouse. [More]