Every farmer has their own priorities in developing their operation, but there are five common reasons that lead many to consider modernizing machines using precision-agriculture technology.
Precision agriculture brings generations together
Today we’ll tell you a story that shows why modernizing an old machine truly pays off, and how precision agriculture brings generations together.
Grandson Sam, 21, and grandfather Digby, 75
For 39 years, Digby Russell planted seed potatoes on 100 hectares of fields. These fields are part of a family farm covering 400 hectares in the Midlands, UK. Forming potato ridges is complex work that demands a high degree of precision, which Digby achieved through years of driving experience and practice. Even though the family could still rely on his rich potato-growing experience, other problems began putting financial pressure on the Russell farm. Rising seed prices, increasing land rents and a growing number of sprayer passes meant there was no longer any margin left for human error.
The Russells grow not just ordinary potatoes for sale, but also seed potatoes. Seed potatoes cost almost three times as much as ordinary ones, but because of this year’s changes in the economy, their market value is nearly half as much.
As a result of rising potato-growing costs and falling market sale value, any precision error would cause losses. Ridges that are too narrow lead to potatoes growing out of the ridge, turning green and becoming unsellable. Conversely, ridges that are too wide waste a large area, for which rent still has to be paid, so the family could no longer afford to risk any inaccuracy caused by manual driving.
That’s when grandfather Digby passed on his 39 years of experience forming potato ridges to his grandson Sam. After installing the EZ-Pilot Pro with the GFX-750 display system, using the automated steering system, Sam can now do his grandfather’s job. Their 2012 tractor, during aftermarket servicing, was upgraded with the latest guidance technology, allowing Sam to drive autonomously, even in reverse if needed.
«The EZ-Pilot Pro is perfect for us because I can reverse into the corner of a plot, which is crucial for forming even rows to grow valuable seed potatoes», – Sam Russell.
Using the combination of the GFX-750 guidance display + NAV-900 controller-receiver and the CenterPoint RTX correction service, Sam can confidently form the rows, and Digby can rest easy knowing his family farm is in his grandson’s competent hands.
«CenterPoint RTX really works well. We work up to 80 kilometers from the farm, so using just one base station isn’t possible. I used to work with the CFX-750, but the GFX-750 is a display on a whole different level. Sometimes I see up to 27 satellites at once», – Sam Russell.
There are many reasons to think about modernizing your old machine using precision-agriculture technology, rather than trading it in for a new one. A shiny new tractor, of course, looks great in the field, but in reality, precision of work is the most important factor for your farm. Navigation technologies not only extend the service life of time-tested machines by boosting their performance, they also let you give a younger family member or a new operator the chance to perform tasks that demand high precision, and that doesn’t just solve a problem – it prepares the farm for the future.
Yevgen Kondratyev
Tel.: +38 50 450 47 82
E-mail: e.kondratyev@astra-group.com.ua
