It is said that 'knowledge is the bedrock of existence'. As such, this blog serves to freely inform the general public about the importance of agriculture. The blog also serves to educate people on the different products that could be used on plants and animals to boost their growth and minimise loss and mortality.
Case IH is giving producers new options for connecting their operations to trusted advisers this spring. Offered through AFS Connect data sharing, Case IH is collaborating with four cloud-based agronomic decision-making companies that will allow producers to wirelessly transfer two-way data between the Case IH AFS Connect farm management system and third-party service providers. These include Decisive Farming’s My Farm Manager, DuPont Pioneer’s Encirca services, Mapshots’ AgStudio, and AgIntegrated’s OnSite technologies.
“Producers have indicated that they want seamless, secure transferability of agronomic data between their machines and their trusted advisers,” says Leo Bose, Case IH AFS marketing manager. “These new service providers, along with the AFS Connect data sharing feature provide just that, allowing producers to make the most of their agronomic data and drive daily management decisions.”
Bose also says that Case IH plans to add more data-sharing service providers in the future. Agronomic service providers interested in learning more can visit developer.cnhindustrial.com.
SERVICE PROVIDER BREAKDOWN
My Farm Manager. This web platform focuses on precision agronomics, crop marketing, and information management services that are geared toward farm profitability, sustainability, and ease of use. My Farm Manager connects producers and service providers, including agronomists, grain elevators, and equipment dealers, with sensors and data to manage and optimize the entire farming operation.
Encirca. This service from DuPont Pioneer combines the latest technologies for weather, soils, and agronomy with a producer’s field operations data to comprehensively manage whole-farm practices. These proprietary analytics and a personal adviser help producers make timely management decisions to control costs and maximize crop yields.
AgStudio. This MapShots software features powerful, yet easy-to-use tools for managing large amounts of agronomic crop production data. From automating soil testing to planning and recommending variable-rate fertility and seeding, AgStudio software is a crop record-keeping and agronomic data management software for producers and their advisers.
OnSite. These technologies from AgIntegrated enable the flow of information between disparate system software, data, and equipment. Custom apps streamline the collection of as-applied, as-planted, and yield files in order to facilitate the transfer of prescription files to equipment in the field.
Learn more by contacting your Case IH AFS certified dealer or by visitingcaseih.com/afs.
No one knows tool or shop supply innovations better than farmers. That’s why we asked a team of farmer handymen to evaluate a toolbox of shop advances that are typically only marketed to other industries for this Successful Farming Product Test Team report.
ELECTROMAGNETIC DRILL PRESS
Bobby Huffman has a lot of favorite tools. “I’m a tool junkie,” the Edina, Missourian admits. “I have a lot of tools I love, but I’m very partial to my magnetic drill press.”
The tool that Huffman refers to is designed for the construction trades for drilling holes in I-beams, framework, and bridges. These drills employ an electromagnet on their base, which, when activated, attaches the tool to metal with a strength that makes it impossible to remove manually.
The drill Huffman put to work, an Evomag42, offers nearly 2,900 pounds of magnetic strength. “It will not move, even when used vertically to drill through thick steel,” Huffman testifies. Case in point, he had used the Evomag42 to drill 15⁄8-inch holes through vertical I-beams being used to make a homemade hydraulic press. “The holes it drilled (using annular bore cutter bits) are dead-on round and smooth. No burrs are left when it’s finished,” he notes.
As for its use on farms, Huffman is convinced this is a tool operators would use and wonder how they got along without it. The Evomag42, which is part of a line of electromagnetic drills from Evolution Power Tools, has a ¾-inch arbor that accommodates either up to ½-inch-diameter twist bits or 15⁄8-inch annular cutters. The tool’s rated drilling depth is 2 inches. The Evomag42 sells online for between $585 and $774.
THERMOMETER GUN
James Fred had been using a cheaper remote temperature-sensing device that “proved handy for mechanical work,” says Fred, who is part of Fred Farms near Rochester, Indiana. “I didn’t realize its limitation until using a more advanced gun like this.”
The gun he is referring to is the 12-voltDeWalt Max Infrared Thermometer, which provides an accuracy of ±1.5% to gauge temperatures from -20°F. up to 932°F. from an area that is 1½ inches in diameter from as far away as 12 feet. What sets this DeWalt gun apart from the previous temp device Fred was using is the fact that it offers visual and audio alarms to alert the user to a problem. Plus, it features LED hot and cold spot indicators. “With it, I could sweep the gun across an area to pick up hot spots, for example,” Fred explains. “Plus, I can customize that hot-cold alarm setting to a range. So if I were looking for a bearing that was getting hot on an operating machine, I could narrow the range to eliminate high temps (given off by an engine, for example) to readily find that problem bearing.”
The other feature Fred appreciates about the advance temp gun is that it has data storage for recording temperature readings. “I can compare the temperature of a bearing with other bearings, for example. The laser spotting light makes it easy to pinpoint exact locations from a distance. I could use it to get a reading off of an engine radiator if I was double-checking the temperature gauge on an engine. Other times, I used it to get a rough reading of building temperature by spotting the exhaust fans in my dairy barns,” he notes.
The 12-volt DeWalt DCT414S1 includes a color-coded display, audio alarms, and backlit screen so it can be easily read in any light condition, including those in full sunlight. The device retails for $128.99 for the gun alone or $209 for the gun, battery, and case.
PORTABLE BAND SAW
Corded portable band saws have been a staple in the building trades for years. Recent advances in battery capacity and motor ability (due to brushless motors) by Milwaukee have created a cordless band saw that readily fits the portable needs found on farms.
“This tool is so impressive in what it can do in the field,” says Tom Boswell of Rezac Land & Livestock near Onaga, Kansas. “It is a serious tool that makes surprisingly quick work of cutting metal.”
Boswell and his crew put the Milwaukee M18 Deep Cut Band Saw to the test in a wide variety of jobs on their operation. “It came in particularly handy when we used it to erect a grain leg and bin this past summer,” he says.
In that regard, Boswell points out that the saw ran nearly all day between charges even with constant use. “It certainly has the power to lug through any cutting job,” he says. “The Milwaukee blades that come with the saw are very impressive.”
A huge feature of the Milwaukee design is its industry-leading 5×5-inch cutting throat. “That comes in handy when making fence with well-drilling pipe,” Boswell notes.
The 15-pound saw runs off an 18-volt, 4-amp-hour battery that powers a Powerstate electronically controlled brushless motor at speeds up to 280 feet per second. The suggested retail price for the saw alone is $546 or $1,019 with two batteries and a case. The tool carries a five-year warranty.
SUPER MAGNETIC JIGS
Designed for professional welders, Magswitch’sPivot Angle 200 and Multi Angle 1000 MagVise are two devices that are surprisingly strong, easily adaptable to a wide variety of uses, and could quickly become as necessary as C-clamps on a farmer’s welding table, Bobby Huffman observes.
“To be honest, I really didn’t think I’d use them that much,” he admits. “But as I put them to use during the evaluation, I quickly found that they became my go-to welding jigs.”
Part of an extensive line of super-magnetic devices sold by Magswitch, the Multi Angle 1000 boasts a holding strength of up to 1,000 pounds on thick steel by twisting a handle, yet it only weighs 3½ pounds. The tool provides multiple common angles to accommodate most welding approaches.
“When I turned that handle, it was stuck down tight. Even a big guy would be hard pressed to move it,” Huffman says.
The Pivot Angle 200 didn’t offer as much holding power (up to 200 pounds of magnetic strength), but it features a pivoting joint that allows the jig to be positioned at any angle from between 25° and 270°. The elbow joint locks and unlocks quickly with a lever.
“It certainly was easy to position and was dead-on when it came to holding at a precise angle,” he says.
Twisting levers engage individual magnets of the Pivot Angle, which are located at either end of the arms (silver items in the image). Those magnets are designed to hold flat, round, and odd-shape pieces.
“I was surprised by the strength of the magnets. Although they were weaker than the Multi Angle, they still held steel in place for welding, drilling, cutting, or grinding,” Huffman says. The Multi Angle 1000 retails for $174.99; the Pivot Angle 200 sells for $410.
LEAF BLOWERS ON STEROIDS
Cory Hall and his son Bryson (Bryson is shown below) were dubious about a leaf blower having any use on the farm. “Oh boy, the one we tested could do far more than just blow leaves around,” Cory says. “I can definitely see it being useful to blow off a combine or to clean out a truck box or shop floor without having to drag cords or an air hose around.”
The blower that the Winterset, Iowa, farm team evaluated was introduced a year ago by WORX as part of a line of yard tools powered by that company’s new 56-volt battery advance. The blower, tabbed the Turbine, turns out a blast of air at 125 mph at volumes up to 465 cubic feet per minute (cfm).
That doesn’t compare to the pressure turned out by an air hose nozzle. But, as Cory notes, the WORX Turbine is cordless, plus it weighs just over 8 pounds. “I was really surprised when I picked it up – it was so light,” Bryson notes. “I didn’t expect much at first, but when I used it to blow corn out of a truck box, it was blasting kernels feet away.”
The Turbine is one of two high-voltage cordless blowers on the market. Echo is selling a 58-volt blower that turns out a 120-mph blast at a volume of 450 cfm. Both the Echo and WORX blowers employ brushless motors that are noted for converting more battery power to work.
“Full blast was impressive,” Cory notes. “But I liked the fact that I could vary the airflow with a speed control in case I was in a confined area and didn’t want to blow up so much dust or when just moving a light load of dirt or debris.”
One of the unique features of both the WORX and Echo blowers is that they consume air from the back of the tool through a fan for a direct stream. Typically, leaf blowers suck in air from their sides, which can hinder flow. This flow feature, combined with the higher battery capacity, results in their higher air velocity.
“I was definitely impressed in that regard,” Cory says explaining that he could effectively clean off a combine and its engine cavity at the end of the day. The WORX Turbine retails for $199.95, including a battery, charger, nozzles, and three-year warranty.
FAST-FIX HYDRO HOSE
For the past year Jerl Joseph, who farms with his son, Eric, near Hampton, Nebraska, has put to the test a hydraulic hose repair product designed for the mining, logging, and electrical utility industries. The Quick-Fix kit offers thermoplastic hydraulic hose (either 3⁄8- or ½-inch diameters) that doesn’t require an expensive crimper to make repairs. “Instead, you use this high-density plastic two-piece holding die that is clamped down with a C-clamp or a locking pliers,” Joseph explains. “The kit includes a hose cutter that is similar to that used to cut PEX plumbing pipe except it’s more heavy duty.”
When making a replacement, he explains that you cut the length of hose needed with the cutter. “Quick-Fix said it didn’t leave debris or frayed edges behind, and so far the cutter works as they said it would,” Joseph says.
Next, the end of the hose is clamped into the die and the appropriate coupling is screwed into the hose using an open-end wrench. All the couplings that come with the kit are reusable, which certainly is a big advantage to the system, Joseph notes. “There is a two-part fitting. You screw the first portion of the fitting into the hose. Then you use two open-end wrenches and screw in and tighten the second part of the fitting.”
The manufacturer claims that a person can make a replacement hose in around 10 minutes. “The first time I used the system, it was maybe more than that as I got used to making a repair,” Joseph says. “But after that, I could make a replacement in that 10-minute time.”
One of the hoses Joseph created was a replacement for a conventional hose that ruptured on a tractor loader. “That is some pretty hard use for a hose – loader work, that is,” Joseph adds. “That hose has been in use a year or more with no problems.” Nitta Corporation guarantees its 3⁄8-inch hose has an operating pressure of 3,480 psi, and the ½-inch size withstands up to 2,900 psi. “All hoses have a minimum burst pressure of four times their recommended operating pressure and an operating temperature range of -40°F. to 212°F.,” adds Larry Johnson of Nitta. “The fitting and adapters that come with a kit cover the vast majority of needs on farm machinery.”
The ½-inch hose kit Joseph tested retails for $329; the 3⁄8-inch kit sells for $299.
INSPECTION CAMERA
James Fred always wanted a mechanic’s inspection camera (borescope), but he could never convince himself to make the investment.
“Knowing what I know now about their usefulness, I would buy one,” Fred says talking about his review of the DeWaltMAX 9MM inspection camera. “First off, I was surprised how sharp the images were from such a small camera. These images were in color, as well.”
This particular DeWalt borescope employs a 9-millimeter camera positioned at the end of a 3-foot-long flexible cable. Color images are displayed on a 3½-inch screen, which is detachable. “I really appreciated that feature,” Fred points out. “I could take the screen off and set it down for easy viewing while manipulating the cable (as he does in the above image with the screen resting on the tractor tire).
“The camera has three times the zooming capacity, so I can zero in on a problem once I find it. The only improvement is that I would have liked the camera lighting to be brighter.”
Another feature Fred likes is the ability to record the video or still images on an SD card. “I can look at larger images on a computer screen, which is really revealing for when I’m looking inside an engine,” he says.
DeWalt offers cameras with 5.8- and 17-millimeter lenses. The 9-millimeter model DCT411S1 kit evaluated by Fred retails for between $260 and $390 online (includes a battery, charger, and inspection tools).
FARMERS ON COMMODITY CLASSIC PANEL SHARE WAYS TO BREAK THROUGH YIELD BARRIERS.
Ever wonder how to break though yield barriers? Or maybe how to tweak your crop rotation to make sure it’s firing on all cylinders? A panel of farmers at an event sponsored by Stoller at this week’s Commodity Classic in San Antonio, Texas, did just that.
1. Plant Soybeans Early
So far, a warm winter in many areas may give you the idea to pull out your planter this month. Don’t.
Still, you may be able to plant soybeans earlier than you think. Dan Arkels, Peru, Illinois, has planted soybeans in northern Illinois as early as April 17. That’s two weeks earlier than what is considered normal in that area.
Planting soybeans by that date – protected from early-season stressors by a seed treatment – gets plants off to an early start in soaking up sunshine and churning out photosynthesis. “The faster you can get (to the point) where the plant is blossoming by June 21 (summer solstice), the better off you will be,” Arkels says. In the case of the April 17 planting, plants were setting blossoms by June 9, he says.
Just don’t go overboard. “I would not plant earlier than April 15 in my area,” Arkels says.
2. Scout, Scout, Scout
During the growing season, Zack Rendel, Miami, Oklahoma, checks his fields several times a week. A drone is a tool that enables him to do this. “It can warn you if something bad is going on in the field,” he says.
Still, he says a drone is no substitute for getting out and walking fields. “There are some things that I can’t see with a drone, so I still need to get boots on the ground,” he says.
3. Plant On-Farm Test Plots The Right Way
Perry Galloway, Gregory, Arkansas, has lots of on-farm tests plots on his farm. It enables him to evaluate products touted by companies for performance on his farm. He does it on one condition, though. “If I do it, companies have to be there. I have a lot to do (during test-plot establishment),” he says. Company reps who assist during this busy time can help ensure the test plot is established correctly so it can yield accurate results.
“One way I learn is by side-by-side evaluations with different products,” adds Arkels.
4. Feed Your Corn Several Times
“I am a firm believer in multiple applications (of nitrogen) on corn and not a lot at one time,” says Arkels. “You get the most bang for your nitrogen (N) dollar that way.” Arkels applies liquid UAN preplant and then sidedresses N up to V8 corn, and then he often comes back with a foliar application later in the season.
Manure is also a valuable tool. “Our fields are heavily manured from a nearby dairy,” says Steve Albracht, a Hart, Texas, farmer. Besides fertility, manure also aids soil health, he says. “We have seen it increase organic matter and water-holding capacity,” he says.
5. Scrutinize Your Crop Mix
Low corn prices are making sorghum viable again in some areas. “A lot of people consider sorghum the red-headed stepchild of crops,” says Rendel. “They just put it out and go.”
Managed properly, though, grain sorghum can play a valuable role in a crop rotation. It’s particularly important to manage it through sugarcane aphid outbreaks with an insecticide, he says. “Sorghum is very similar to corn in how we treat it,” he says. “If we get a drought in mid-August, it will push through and yield. It is a drought-tolerant crop.”
The Federal Government has assured stakeholders in the poultry industry that it is committed to providing them relief measures.
The Acting President, Professor Yemi Osinbajo, according to a release signed by his Senior Special Assistant on Media & Publicity, Laolu Akande gave this assurance during a second meeting held within a week with the stakeholders in the ailing agricultural sub sector.
The poultry industry has been bedeviled by an outbreak of Avian Influenza which affected almost 4 million birds in 2015, among other challenges.
“The poultry industry is a local industry that needs to be protected urgently,” the Acting President said at the meeting where specific measures were tabled and considered on how the FG can be of help.
Osinbajo noted that the poultry industry should be a major plank of the agriculture sector even as he assured that the government would give it all the help it deserves.
He maintained that support for the local industry would check poultry related importation which is currently a drain on the country’s Foreign Exchange could be a thing of the past.
The leader of the delegation of the Poultry Association of Nigeria at the meeting, Dr. Ayoola Oduntan, remarked that poultry contributes 25% of the Agricultural Gross Domestic Product of the Nigerian economy which amounts to N1.6Trn.
The Alake of Egbaland, Oba Adedotun Gbadebo, has urged all social societies, clubs and council of Chiefs in Egbaland, to develop strategies to utilise the huge export potentials in agricultural products common in the area.
The monarch gave the directive in his closing remarks at the Seminar tagged “Self reliance through agriculture for a secured future” held at Centenary Hall, Abeokuta on Wednesday, in continuation of the week-long Globacom sponsored 2017 Lisabi Festival.
Oba Gbadebo said Nigeria should produce her food to reduce her dependence on some foreign food items, adding that products like black soap, coconut oil, shea butter, livestock and plantain chips were lucrative agro businesses that could be profitably invested in.
Other speakers at the seminar called on households to be involved in livestock, fisheries, horticulture and food crop production, noting that home backyards should be utilised for agricultural purposes.
The panelists who lauded the partnership between Lagos and Kebbi State governments which led to the Lake rice initiative, advised other states to emulate such partnership in order to harness Nigeria’s vast arable and fertile land to feed ourselves.
The panelists included Animal Scientist, Dr. Olukemi Adenusi, Prof. Lukman Aderibigbe, Prof. Funmilayo Adebambo and a Director in Ogun State Ministry of Agriculture, Mr. A.O. Ajayi, while the Ogun Area Manager, Globacom, Mr. Femi Iwalaye; represented the company at the event.
