Precision Planting’s New Seed Firmer Features Real-Time Sensor

The SmartFirmer measures organic matter, residue, and soil moisture. Beta testing begins this year. 

Variable-rate seeding just got a lot more realistic for those of you who may be reluctant to spend the extra time and energy currently needed to get started with the practice.

The SmartFirmer by Precision Planting functions as a seed firmer regularly would, but it’s equipped with an optical sensor that can measure organic matter, residue, and soil moisture while you drive through the field planting.

In real time, you can map out the different zones of productivity in your fields through Precision Planting’s 20/20 SeedSense system and view it in high definition on the Climate FieldViewTM app.

“You can pay $10 an acre to get comparable information from other systems, but this technology would be a dramatically lower cost difference,” says Dale Koch, Precision Planting R&D product manager.

A sensor this advanced has been in the works at Precision Planting for a couple years, and the team hopes to have the product in your hands by spring of 2018, assuming this year of beta testing goes well.
“We’re eager to show how we’ll have the ability to not only sense organic matter on-the-go, but also to control planter population on-the-go,” says Koch.

For those of you with the 20/20 SeedSense operating system and Precision Planting’s row control modules already on your planters, you can easily transition to game-changing SmartFirmers when they become available for purchase.

They’re made to fit exactly the way the company’s Keeton firmers fit, the only difference being a small electrical harness that needs attached. Updating 20/20 SeedSense to be able to handle the new technology should only take a few minutes.

By showing exactly how much residue is in the furrow, you can adjust row cleaners to do a better job as you plant. Residue is one of the leading causes of delayed emergence and improper root growth. “I believe measuring the residue in the furrow will shine some light on different methods for tillage and incorporating residue,” says Cory Muhlbauer, agronomy lead at Precision Planting.

Being able to see just how much moisture varies – even row by row – should be eye-opening, as well.
“It is the first time technology will allow you to see exactly what the seed’s available moisture is on every row of the planter throughout the day,” says Muhlbauer.

The company’s recommendation is to have a SmartFirmer in every furrow as you plant to get an inch-by-inch analysis of daily furrow quality, but Precision Planting will also test out planters with only one or a few of the SmartFirmers to see if you can still get a clear sense of what’s happening in the soil without investing in a full set of firmers.

Precision Planting hopes that having high-resolution zones already mapped out after planting will encourage you to apply that existing, accurate data to your tillage practices, fertilizer applications, and more.

Unlike the company’s Keeton firmers, the SmartFirmer has a bottom made of cobalt, which should extend its life compared with the standard firmers made of poly that are typically replaced every couple years depending on usage. The SmartFirmers can also apply starter fertilizer, like the Keeton firmers do.

source: successful farming

Technology Spotlight: Water Conservation - Part 1

Forward-thinking farmers that depend on the Ogallala Aquifer are using high tech solutions to reduce water usage. From Successful Farming Television Episode 1005, originally aired January 19, 2017

To watch the video click here

Soybean Market Riding on Weather Issues in South America

Though it’s only mid-January, South America has less than ideal conditions, in particular some regions of Argentina. South America is a very long geographical region (typically referring to Brazil and Argentina for agricultural production discussions), and it has an extended growing season compared with the U.S. In other words, not all the crop is grown within a window of a few weeks like in the central U.S., where most of the crop is planted in one month and harvested in one month.

Nonetheless, recent weather has raised eyebrows. Excessive moisture in north-central Argentina, a key growing region for soybeans, has caught the attention of the market.

By some accounts, nearly 60% of Argentina’s key growing regions have received more than 10 inches of rain over the last 30 days. This implies that areas that have had significant flooding as of late may not have crop at all. Other areas that seem to have more saturated soils may find that yields could suffer.

We believe the market is beginning to become more concerned that very saturated or flooded areas may not have time to replant. While looking at pictures on the internet or watching the news, heavy flooding always appears devastating and, in our experiences, generally does lead to some crop loss in areas. The residual benefits of moisture elsewhere can often make up the difference.

Yet, it could be different in parts of Argentina where heavy weekend rains may suggest that crop loss is at hand – and it could be rather significant. Private estimates are suggesting losses from 2 to 4 million metric tons. There are, for rounding purposes, 40 million bushels in a metric ton, and consequently, losses are ranging from under 100 million to well over 120 million bushels. World carryout could decline by 5%.

Does the market have room to absorb these losses with expectations of world supplies reaching a pinnacle in 2017? Probably, though not much room. Demand has been outstanding and continues to gobble up any excess inventories.

Carryout could swing significantly both domestically and worldwide in the months ahead, depending on how the South American weather scenario plays out as well as U.S. farmer planting intentions.

Memories are short, and memories last year of significant flooding in Argentina and reduction of the soybean crop helped to shift the market from first gear to fourth very quickly, as prices rallied $3.00.

We’re not arguing for a $3.00 rally, yet the price movement at the end of the week of January 8 and start of the week of January 15 indicates that there are plenty who want to own soybeans.

The key is balance. Both bulls and bears will argue the merits of their biases. If you are holding old-crop soybeans, consider selling rallies to reduce risk and generate cash flow. Reinvest a portion into fixed risk reownership strategies such as calls or bull call spreads.

For new crop, consider getting started on this rally with forward contracts, hedge-to-arrive contracts, or short futures. Cover these positions with November soybean calls.

If you have questions or comments, or would like help in creating a balanced strategy for your operation, contact Bryan at Top Farmer Intelligence (800-TOP-FARM ext. 129).

Futures trading is not for everyone. The risk of loss in trading is substantial. Therefore, carefully consider whether such trading is suitable for you in light of your financial condition. Past performance is not necessarily indicative of future results.

source: successful farming

Excitement in Zamfara as ex-cattle rustlers surrender weapons, cattle

Cattle breeders in Zamfara State can now breathe a sigh of relief as there are reports that cattle rustlers in the state have started returning stolen animals following a successful peace dialogue with authorities of state.

This assurance was given by the Chairman of Gusau Local Government Area of Zamfara, Alhaji Ibrahim Tanko while addressing journalists yesterday in Gusau.

According to him, as a result of the meeting of the committee headed by the State’s Deputy Governor, Malam Ibrahim Wakkala with major stakeholders in the state. The rustlers through their leader, had agreed to return more stolen animals and surrender weapons.

“Even though some of the bandits are yet to surrender their weapons, they have assured the committee of their willingness to do so at an agreed date”, he said

The Local Government Chairman therefore called on people of the state to support the peace initiatives that are ongoing in the state.

It would be recalled that cattle rustlers had in recent times surrendered a large cache of weapons to the authorities in Zurmi Local Government Area of the state.

Benue to clear 21,000 hectares of land for farmers

The Benue State government has said that at least 21,000 hectares of land will be cleared at various locations in the state to make it accessible to farmers.

Governor Samuel Ortom made this known in his recent 2017 budget speech presented to the state House of Assembly.

He said in addition to the land, tractors would be procured and made available to farmers to buy at 30 percent subsidised rate in order to encourage mechanisation.

The governor also said that his administration will encourage dry season farming and construct several dams across the state as well as develop other irrigation facilities to enable all year round crop production.

Ortom added: “We shall introduce Greenhouse Technology where vegetables and other crops will be produced for exportation and other uses.”

Our correspondent reports that agriculture falls under the economic sector of the document christened ‘Budget for Rural Transformation’ which has the combined sum of N88.9 billon being the lion share of the entire draft of N163.9 billon estimated for the 2017 fiscal year.