By John Fulton (Associate Professor), Chris Wiegman (graduate student), Erdal Ozkan ( Professor), and Scott Shearer (Professor), Ohio State University Department of Food, Agricultural and Biological Engineering
Drones or Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) have become a common technology in agriculture. As of early 2019, there were around 1.3 million registered drones in the U.S. and over 116,000 registered drone operators within the commercial sector. Within agriculture, drones have been mainly used for scouting purposes. Today, uses of drones include collecting remotely sensed imagery, tissues samples, and water samples. Spraying with drones is also available through some manufacturers.
Drone spraying has been used Southeast Asian countries such as China, Japan and South Korea for several decades. In fact, the use of this type of spraying in Japan can be traced back to the 90s. Currently, we are seeing a significant increase in the number of drones used in these countries, mostly in rice production that requires applications done when the field is flooded with water, making entry of motorized vehicle to the field impractical.… Continue reading
This is the time of the year you must complete shopping for nozzles because the spraying season is just around the corner. Although nozzles are some of the least expensive components of a sprayer, they hold a high value in their ability to influence sprayer performance. Nozzles help determine the gallon per acre. They also influence the droplet size, which plays a significant role in achieving improved penetration into crop canopy and better coverage on the target pest, both affect the efficacy we expect from pesticides applied.
When I get a question like, “What is the best nozzle I can buy?” my answer is: it depends on the job on hand. One nozzle may be best for a given application situation, but it may be the worst nozzle to use for another situation. Sometimes, the choice of nozzle may be determined by the requirements given on the pesticide label.… Continue reading
Chris Hetzel with Bane Welker Equipment in Wilmington walks us through those things to look for and inspect as you get your tractors ready to roll this spring. Believe it or not bird’s nest cause more tractor fires than you think.… Continue reading
Due to the late 2019 harvest, many farmers stored grain at higher than recommended moisture levels this fall. That increases the risk of entrapment if they enter their bins to check out grain quality issues or fix plugged augers, said Gary Woodruff, a grain conditioning expert with GSI.
Woodruff says grain stored above 15% moisture, often related to insufficient drying capacity or relying only on aeration, can cause it to degrade in the bin and become more susceptible to mold.
“Grain went into bins at a lower quality, higher moisture and with more fines this fall, which makes this year much more dangerous,” he said. “That’s why we always emphasize that farmers should never enter a bin when there is a risk of becoming entrapped.”
Woodruff recommends that farmers regularly check the quality of their grain this winter. In addition to grain monitoring controls, he says they should visually inspect their grain at least every other week.… Continue reading
Ohio Machinery Co. celebrates 75 years of equipment sales and service to customers throughout its business territory beginning February 2020. As a privately held, locally owned and operated company, Ohio Machinery Co. gained strength and size over time through its representation of premium products, ongoing dedicated leadership, and a strong commitment to customer service and product support excellence. Ohio Machinery Co. serves its product territories under several brand names, including Ohio CAT, The Cat Rental Store, Ohio Peterbilt, Ohio Ag Equipment, SITECH, Complete Hydraulic Service, International Fuel Systems, and Thomas Built Bus by Ohio CAT.
Founded in February 1945, Ohio Machinery Co. initially operated out of one location in Columbus with 39 employees. The following year, with 109 employees, the headquarters moved to Independence, Ohio in the Cleveland area. In 1971, due to continued growth and the need for more space, the headquarters moved to its current location in Broadview Heights.… Continue reading
The U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) announced a proposed rule that would continue the safe integration of Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS), commonly called drones, into the nation’s airspace by requiring them to be identifiable remotely.
“Remote ID technologies will enhance safety and security by allowing the FAA, law enforcement, and Federal security agencies to identify drones flying in their jurisdiction,” said U.S. Transportation Secretary Elaine L. Chao.
The FAA seeks input on the Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) for Remote Identification (Remote ID) of UAS that today was published in the Federal Register. It is accompanied by comment period that closes March 2, 2020, to receive public feedback and help the FAA develop a final rule to enhance safety in the skies over the U.S.
“As a pilot, my eye is always on safety first,” said Steve Dickson, FAA Administrator. “Safety is a joint responsibility between government, pilots, the drone community, the general public and many others who make our nation so creative and innovative.”… Continue reading
Tire damage from harvested crop residue is a major problem. Due to genetic modifications, higher corn populations with more stalks, and low cutting heights the shorter stiffer stubble causes tire damage. Stalks cut 3 inches to 5 inches high do not allow the tires to push the stalk over to minimize tire penetration, creating a “field of rebar” that the tires have to cross. The strength of the stalks combined with changing harvesting techniques, leave shorter stalks and increased tire wear and is especially prevalent with certain corn and soybean varieties.
Soil health can play an important role in stubble decomposition. Soil temperatures above 50 degrees F, adequate moisture, and healthy fungus speed up crop residue decomposition. Unfortunately, longer maturity crops, late harvest (colder temperatures), and fungicide application are negative factors in stubble decomposition. Utilizing early maturing crop varieties and limiting fungicide application helps decompose stubble.… Continue reading
The MANI-TOUR is coming to Apple Farm Service’s Covington location on Wednesday, Dec. 11. The MANI-TOUR is a ride and drive event featuring the latest agricultural handling solutions from Manitou and Gehl, including telehandlers, skid loaders, articulated loaders and track loaders. Join us anytime from 9 a.m. and 4 p.m. for an open house, lunch and plenty of opportunities to get behind the wheel and try out the equipment yourself.
“We’re excited to bring back the Mani-Tour,” said Bill Apple, president of Apple Farm Service. “This will be the third year we’ve hosted this event. We’ve been a Gehl dealership since our origins in 1956, and one of the first Manitou dealerships in the area. However, we find that a vast amount of operators in the area don’t understand the full versatility of these machines. The Mani-Tour is a great opportunity for any operator, farmer, or contractor to try out these efficient machines.”… Continue reading
Bane-Welker Equipment has been an official Ashland Industries dealer at all 13 Indiana and Ohio locations since 2017. They recently added a new product, which is first in its class.
The 1410E Ejector Ashland scraper is the fastest scraper in its class. Its rear load design allows to raise and lower the rear tires to control the depth of cut. Its modular design is precise, saves time during offload, offers two- or four-tire options, greaseless fiber bushings and is packed with features not found anywhere else. The scraper features a 10-foot width and is designed to fit 225 to 500 horsepower tractors.
“This is Cadillac of farm scrapers,” said Dallas Foster of Bane-Welker Equipment. “It’s faster. You can do more with it, and its priced right. I am excited to tell our customers about it. It’s the best option for farmers who want to move dirt faster without buying a construction hitch for tractor.… Continue reading
Ask an expert in the industry about the importance of calibrating yield monitors to collect harvest data and they will most likely tell you, “It’s about how much you value your data.” That was the response from Matt Liskai, owner of Green Field Ag in Gibsonburg, Ohio. Matt has been working with yield monitors and other precision agriculture equipment since they first came on the scene in the early 2000s.
“Everyone has a different philosophy when it comes to calibrating their yield monitor for harvest data,” Liskai said. “Some calibrate their yield monitors once a season, and some will calibrate for every field or variety. It’s about the value you place on the data you are collecting and the decisions you will make with it. You need to ask yourself how important is it that the data you collect is accurate?”
According to John Fulton, OSU Extension Specialist for Precision Ag, and Elizabeth Hawkins, OSU Extension Agronomic Systems Field Specialist, geo-referenced yield data (i.e.
Growing crops in a completely controlled environment would appear to address many of the challenges farmers face from variability in temperature and rainfall to infestations of insects and weeds. However, replicating the “bioregenerative support system” that is Earth, is not easy. As engineers and scientists work to create such a system that would allow for long-term space travel or living, they are developing technologies that are being used to increase crop production at home.
What is needed for a bioregenerative support system?
This artificial ecosystem needs to provide everything required by humans to sustain life. Plants are the crucial component. They produce the oxygen we breathe, assimilate the carbon dioxide we exhale, transpire the water that can be collected for drinking and other uses, and process wastewater and absorb nutrients through their rootzone. Finally, as a result of all these functions, plants produce the food and fiber we need.… Continue reading
2019 Cab Cam Series presented by Homan Incorporated finds Bart Johnson in the cab with Steve Creamer of Creamer Farm Drainage. Steve is working on waterways with a Wolverine “ditching” tool. Steve says this is one of the most impressive and efficient tools he has operated in his excavation business. Time savings and precision… Continue reading
Unverferth Manufacturing Co., Inc. recently unveiled its next generation UHarvest Pro grain cart scale and data management system at the 2019 Farm Progress Show. Using its exclusive dedicated ISOBUS connectivity, the Unverferth UHarvest Pro system provides users with the most robust and reliable harvest data recording without the need for extra cables, displays or batteries.
Developed in collaboration with Raven Industries, the UHarvest Pro system offers unrivaled connectivity to the grain cart. A Bluetooth connection built into the grain cart’s module seamlessly transfers data via cellular to any Android or IOS mobile device with the UHarvest Pro app. Users can connect to their free Slingshot account to automatically generate professional reports to send to their crop insurance adjuster, landlord, or other trusted partner. Users can also merge and edit the data to suit their business needs.
The UHarvest Pro system can easily be set up to record data in grower, farm and field format. … Continue reading
R & C Rivers Farms has 850,000 bushels of corn storage capacity at their main operation in Mount Sterling. But for soybeans, they’ve relied on 30 smaller bins at their other farm sites in Pickaway, Fayette and Madison counties.
“It wasn’t a very efficient system and made hauling the grain too complex,” said Brent Rivers, the owner. “So, we decided to build a new soybean grain system to be more productive.”
Designed and built by local GSI dealer, Sims Construction, the new system is located about a quarter mile away from the main operation. It includes:
Two 160,000-bushel capacity dry storage bins with fans to aerate the grain.
A grain handling system that includes a conveyor, grain leg and bucket elevator to transfer harvested grain from a dump site to the storage bins at the rate of 12,000 to 14,000 bushels per hour.
And a 5,000-bushel capacity overhead hopper tank that can fill a 1,000-bushel semi-truck for grain delivery in just 4 to 5 minutes.
Most forage producers share the same goal: produce consistent, high-quality bales. But there’s no perfect one-size-fits-all baler that will fit every producer’s needs. Some want simplicity and ease-of-use while others demand smart features, high speed and maximum output.
That’s why the new Vermeer 604 R-series balers feature a range of components, features and options. Three 6- by 4-foot models — Classic, Signature and Premium — offer unique combinations that provide the right levels of sophistication, performance, speed and versatility to meet the needs of just about every hay producer.
The 604 R-series balers start with a common foundation that offers every operator the longevity and durability he or she has come to expect from Vermeer equipment. In the new 604 R-series baler lineup, the platform includes features common to all three models, including a camless pickup and rotor design, a hydraulic density system and new netwrap system.
“The 604 R-series balers were designed to provide the features and functions that every hay producer needs,” said Bret Julian, Vermeer Director of Sales.… Continue reading
Harvest has not yet started here in Ohio, but it is good to remember to make sure your yield monitor is setup and calibrated properly. Geo-referenced yield data (i.e. yield maps) are being used to provide precision agriculture insights and recommendations at the field level. Yield maps not only help growers understand end-of-year performance within fields, but also can be used to characterize in-field variation. Information about this variation is often used by service providers to deliver prescriptions, recommendations, or other information back to the farmer. Because yield maps continue to be an important data layer to learn from and help drive changes or decisions at a field level, proper management of the yield monitor is critical to generate accurate and reliable yield data. Grain moisture and test weight, along with grain flow through the combine, will vary within passes and across fields. Therefore, the flow and moisture sensors on combines must be calibrated to these expected conditions in order to log accurate data.… Continue reading
Corn growers attending a recent field day saw firsthand what a difference planting practices can make in a stand of corn, even in a year plagued by wet and cold weather at planting.
On a 10-acre plot on Chillicothe farmer Brian Brown’s farm, growers saw side-by-side trials where row-spacing, ear counts and root systems showed how using optimum downforce settings, planting depths and seed singulation results in more even stands, more kernels and eventually higher yields. For example, dug-up corn plants planted with an automatic downforce system consistently into the moisture layer produced a large, much fuller root system, compared to the narrow root ball resulting from seed being left too shallow in the furrow by a planter with manual, static downforce.
The Aug. 7 event, co-sponsored by Ohio Ag Equipment and Seed Consultants, Inc., with technology and equipment from AGCO, White Planters and Precision Planting, is part of the annual AGCO Crop Tour program.… Continue reading
Spray drift not only result in wasting expensive pesticides and pollution of the environment, it may damage non-target crops nearby, and poses a serious health risk to people living in areas where drift is occurring. Drift happens! It accounts for about half of all non-compliance cases investigated by the Ohio Department of Agriculture. As you know, we are experiencing an unusual weather situation in Ohio and several other Corn Belt states this year. Wet fields have made planting of corn and soybeans delayed or in many cases forced farmers to abandon it altogether looking for alternatives such as planting cover crops. Either situation presents added caution when applying herbicides in terms of spray drift which is defined as movement of pesticides by wind from the application site to an off-target site during or soon after application is done. When exactly the same types of crops, such as genetically modified beans, or non-GMO beans are planted in neighboring fields, herbicide drifting from one field to another may not show injury symptoms.… Continue reading
On Wednesday, June 5, The Darke County Agricultural Society received a brand new blue tractor from Apple Farm Service. Apple Farm Service gladly donated a New Holland T5.110 to the Great Darke County Fair to be used for the next six months.
“This is the second tractor that Apples has donated for us to use,” said Brian Rismiller, fair manager. “Last year we were given a Case IH tractor to use. We truly appreciate that Apple thought of us again!”
The Darke County Fairgrounds will have the opportunity to break in this new tractor for the next six months. They plan to use it primarily to rake the arena and maintain the horse barns.
“We’re happy to help the Darke County Ag Society!” said Bill Apple, president of Apple Farm Service. “New Holland enjoys working with their dealerships to support local nonprofit organizations like the Ag Society. Some of our employees have fond memories of showing animals and projects in the Darke County fair.… Continue reading
Fendt, a worldwide brand of AGCO, will introduce fully redesigned Fendt 900 Series tractors to North American producers at the 2019 Farm Progress Show, Aug. 28-30 in Decatur, Illinois.
Five new Fendt 900 Series tractors range from 296 to 415 HP and are all-around workhorses designed specifically to meet the needs of producers in North America and deliver unprecedented fuel efficiency, uptime and agronomic benefits. These new Fendt tractors offer many of the cutting-edge technologies of the Fendt 1000 Series and are built upon Fendt’s 90 years of engineering innovation and manufacturing excellence for unequalled reliability.
They are powered by six-cylinder, 9.0L MAN engines with the low-rev engine concept working in unison with the Fendt tractor management system (TMS) and Fendt stepless VarioDrive continuously variable transmission (CVT). With this combination, the engine operates at a maximum engine speed of 1700 rpm, providing exceptional pulling power, using less fuel and reducing wear on the engine components.… Continue reading
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