REMOTE AG FLEET MANAGEMENT INTRODUCED BY TOPCON

Tierra telematics is being added to Topcon Agriculture’s portfolio of solutions. This solution will increase productivity, reduce fuel costs and emissions, improve machine security, optimize maintenance, and manage equipment utilization.

“The solutions provide access to daily machine run-time reports, with accurate and reliable data. Fuel costs are minimized with real-time reports of idling, engine activity, motion, and labor. Machines are more secure with GeoFence boundaries, curfews monitoring, and instant notifications. Maintenance is improved with service alerts that catch issues before they cause further damage. Machines that are not being used can be easily noted and redeployed on different job sites,” says Fabio Isaia, CEO of Topcon Agriculture.

The on-board hardware device used for fleet management is the Topcon AM53.

“It is rugged enough to perform even in extreme conditions with minimal maintenance needs,” he says. “Firmware updates are automatic, and the user can get instant feedback through diagnostic LEDs.”

Isaia adds that the AM53 takes little space in the cab, is lightweight, and very easy to install. “It offers complete localization features and data logger capabilities, automatically recording timestamp, GNSS position, and relevant CAN data, and periodically transmitting data packages to the server through the GSM network,” he says.

Designed to offer a powerful, on-board processor with up to 50 hours of internal memory, the device allows up to a five-second logging of all parameters when the engine is running and every time the machine status changes.

To provide a basic localization service or the most advanced remote diagnostic solution, Topcon Tierra will be available in a variety of subscription plans to enable the features, such as real-time dashboards and configurable reports, that will best meet the customer’s needs. 

By logging on to the Topcon Tierra website or mobile app, operators can access the server to control the fleet, configure alerts, set GeoFences, run reports, and take advantage of actionable information for better informed decisions and increased efficiency and profitability. 

Learn more by visiting topconpositioning.com.

AGXCHANGE ALLOWS GROWERS TO CONTROL, STORE, VIEW AND SHARE THEIR FARM DATA

A cooperative of growers and an agricultural data nonprofit have agreed to combine their technology platforms and create a vital resource for data-driven agriculture — a neutral, secure, and private data storage repository controlled by growers. The combined platforms will be known as AgXchange and will be an independent data repository commercially available through the Growers Ag Data Cooperative (GADC) where producers can control, store, view, and share their farm data assets.

As a result of dialogues between Grower Information Services Cooperative (GiSC) and the Agricultural Data Coalition (ADC), a neutral, secure, and private data storage repository controlled by growers has been created. Known as AgXchange, it will be an independent data repository commercially available through the Growers Ag Data Cooperative (GADC) where producers can control, store, view, and share their farm data assets.

“After meeting with each other, we realized we were working toward the same end goal, though from slightly different approaches. It was quickly clear that combining efforts would provide substantial benefits and move us all toward the objective of a grower-controlled, independent data storage repository,” says ADC president Ben Craker.

AgXchange is a platform developed through the collaboration of GiSC and ADC. GiSC has a working data storage and visualization platform. ADC developed a data storage and sharing pilot repository, featuring data connections to several precision farming data platforms. The two entities will integrate their complementary platforms to improve functionality and value, improve grower control over their data, and allow growers to share their data with universities and other researchers, in addition to other service providers, if the growers choose to do so.

“The central idea was to use the capabilities and resources of the diverse members of the ADC to establish a centralized, dynamic, but completely neutral, resource,” Craker says. “Any time a grower who has an AgXchange account wants to share their data with a service provider, researcher, or other business interest, they will be able to grant permission if they so choose.”

“GiSC, now recognized as GADC, will fill a need many growers may not have recognized yet — neutral and secure data storage,” says Billy Tiller, the founder of GiSC. He explained that many growers do not currently maximize the opportunities to use their data, while others may use third-party services to do it for them but often unknowingly grant perpetual rights to use their information to the service providers.

“Growers not only need to be able to maximize the use of their data through capturing and sharing data, but they also need to be able to control the use of that data generated on their operations. When a grower gains complete control of his or her data, the grower will then be able to maintain complete control of his or her operation from the present to the future,” says Jason Ward, CEO of GiSC. 

Barely a year old, the ADC is the result of years of planning and coordination by AGCO, Agri-AFC, the American Farm Bureau Federation, Auburn University, CNH Industrial, Crop IMS, Ice Miller LLP, Iowa AgState, Ohio State University, Purdue University, Mississippi State University, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Raven Industries, and Topcon Positioning Group.

GiS is the only grower-owned data cooperative in the U.S. It is made up of growers across all geographies, commodities, and demographics. The co-op, and the data that resides within the organization, is governed by a board of directors, which is made up of the growers’ peers. GiSC works to protect growers’ data rights as well as provide a secure place to warehouse and share growers’ data. 

Learn more by visiting GiSC.coop. Organizations interested in joining the ADC effort should visit AgDataCoalition.org.

POTENTIAL BIOFUEL CHANGES OFFER WHEAT SUPPORT

Grain markets had some excitement this week when rumors swirled about changes to the Renewable Fuels Standard program. In short, there appeared to be an agreement between the White House, the ethanol industry, and major refiners about who would be responsible for the blending requirement. There was also talk that E15 would be permitted all year and that biodiesel tax credits would only be given to domestic production. While the White House denied there were any changes forthcoming to the program, private industry participants insisted that, indeed, changes were on the way.

Initial market reaction was strongly higher, led by soy oil, which would be the biggest beneficiary if these particular changes were implemented. Corn was right behind, not only to keep up with soybeans but also on the chance that ethanol consumption – and thus corn demand – would move higher. If corn is moving higher, so will wheat.

So, we had a big surge higher on Tuesday morning in reaction to the rumor, only to see most of those gains erased by the close. However, the rest of the week we saw prices claw their way back to near Tuesday’s highs but not able to move above them. Once the trade had time to digest the rumors and to recognize that they were still just rumors, the enthusiasm waned, especially when they looked at the time line of when such changes might be implemented since it takes changes in government policy. And that is not exactly a fast thing.

Wheat did find outside support, however, from yet another Egyptian tender this week, the third tender in two weeks. They ended up buying 535 TMT of Russian, Ukrainian, Romanian, and French wheat with an average price that was about $2.30/MT higher than the previous week. Over the last month, they’ve purchases almost 1.3 MMT of wheat. Talk of slow farmer selling to the Egyptian government and a weak currency have made it difficult for private millers to secure enough wheat for the subsidized bread distribution program, and the government is stepping in to help. Even though harvest is only about a month away, some suggest that Egypt could be in for even more wheat before that harvest begins. 

Our own export sales continue at a healthy pace. Last week, 452 TMT were sold, mostly from the quality hard wheats of hard red winter and hard red spring. Year-to-date export sales for the U.S. are 38% ahead of last year at this time. We’ve also sold 90% of the projections for this marketing year, compared with the 92% average. Last month, USDA increased its projected wheat exports in its supply/demand report. There will be another supply/demand report next week, but the trade is not looking for any notable changes to the trade outlook.

The trade is increasingly looking at weather in the Southern and Central Plains, particularly since the crop is already growing strong up into central Kansas, a good three weeks ahead of schedule. Moisture conditions have been dry across much of hard red winter wheat country throughout the winter, and the next two weeks call for more of the same – along with much above-normal temperatures. It may be too early to predict stress to the crop, but those conditions could create issues by the time late March rolls around.

Crop conditions have shown deterioration in the wheat crop over the last couple of months. Again, it’s still early, but moisture demands will increase significantly if temps stay high. We’ll see how that evolves, and the market will give it some time. But, large traders are already long Kansas City wheat, and if the longer-range forecasts verify, then traders will be quick to add to those positions. If rains show up, then there will likely be a great deal of liquidating, setting up a tricky scenario as we head into growing season.

Technically, we had reversals up on the weekly charts, except for Minneapolis wheat. Corn had an outside week higher as did Kansas City wheat. These are potentially bullish chart patterns that warrant attention, especially as we near the end of the normal seasonal decline time window. Weather will be the main driver, which also has a bullish slant to it. 

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Agric sector receives N750 billion boost from FG

In line with the Federal Government’s effort geared towards ensuring food sufficiency in Nigeria, a sum of N750 billion has been approved  as Agricultural Intervention Fund.

Acting President, Professor Yemi Osinbajo, who disclosed this at the National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies (NIPSS) inauguration of the Senior Executive Course (SEC) 39 held in Kuru, Plateau State, expressed that developing the agricultural sector is the pathway to economic resurgence.

“Developing the agricultural sector is a clear starting point of our quest for not only the diversification of our hitherto non cultural economy away from oil, it is also the only economy to grow fast enough to absorb the huge number of people that are unemployed” he said.

Represented by the Deputy Governor of Plateau State, Prof. Sonny Tyoden, Osinbajo noted that the country has over 84 hectares of arable land yet only 40 per cent was cultivated.

He stressed that with over 180 million population, the Nigerian local market is big enough to support optimum agricultural production while providing sustainable livelihood for the citizens.

Meanwhile, the acting Director General of the institute, Jonathan Juma said the theme of SEC 39 “Science, Technology and Innovation for the Development of Agriculture and Agro-Allied Industries in Nigeria” was vital considering the fear being contemplated about possible food shortage in the country, as well as inadequate supply of agricultural raw materials to feed the nascent agro-allied industries in the country.

According to Tyodem, “ human population is increasing exponentially, while climate change with attendant implication for agricultural production is steering us in the face, the option to put in place vibrant and robust science, technology innovation policy is imperative”.

Health Benefits of Almonds

Almonds have been adjudged since time immemorial as one of humankind’s most cherished nuts. They were popular in the diets of ancient Egyptians and Indian populations.

Traditionally, sweet almonds are edible, while bitter ones are used to make almond oil, a common oil that is used to add flavor to food. They are usually eaten raw, but many people also add them as ingredients in salads, casseroles, and other dishes.

The fruit are known  to have great medicinal value. Their good taste, is the main reason why so many people  add them to their diet. Some of  benefits of almonds are given below

Almonds help prevent heart disease and heart attack.

Riboflavin and L-carnitine content in the almonds support healthy brain function

Almonds are a great source of vitamin E  and other antioxidants that nourish the skin   and reduce signs of aging.

Almonds help control blood sugar levels and prevent diabetes.

They help with weight loss and prevent overeating.

They contain gamma toco -pherol  a type of vitamin E  that acts as a powerful antioxidant fighting free radical damage and oxidative stress that can cause cancer.

They are good sources of the trace minerals like magnesium and phosphorus, crucial nutrients for building and maintaining strong and healthy bones.

Almonds contain pro-biotic components that can help with digestion.