AG TECH NO LOG IE S
WINTE R 2014
PRECISION AG U PDATE Improving In-Field Data Collection with Soil Information Systems Observing soil from the surface it may look uniform, but the reality is very different. Due to differing topography and the weathering of rocks, minerals and organic matter over millions of years, soil is hugely variable and can vary widely in a single field. Thanks to a new agronomic service by Trimble and offered through Ag Technologies, farmers and their trusted advisors can now obtain in-depth 3-D soil data they can use to make more informed decisions about their crop production goals. The new service, Soil Information System™ (SIS), a part of the Connected Farm™ solution, is a revolutionary 3-D soil mapping technology that uses advanced sensors along with intelligent targeting and geo-processing algorithms to produce high resolution, accurate soil and topographic information. “Our goal here at Ag Technologies is to work with agronomists in the Southeast in order to offer this cutting edge technology to their growers,” said Robbie Tabb, Ag Technologies Territory Manager for South Georgia, Southeast Alabama and North Florida. By providing a greater understanding of the physical and chemical characterization of the soil, including how inputs move through the soil, SIS enables farmers and their trusted advisors to initiate more effective solutions to resolve the unique challenges of each area of their fields. The SIS solution outputs precise, multi-layer soil models that are more comprehensive than traditional methods used in the industry today. Some examples of map types include: root zone depth, soil texture, plant available water, compaction depth, macro and micro-nutrient levels, soil nutrient holding capacity, and salt and toxicity concentrations. This information can be used to make critical farm management decisions with irrigation, drainage, fertility, and more. “The ability to manage our natural resources wisely is key to the success of agriculture in the future,” said Tabb. “The SIS offering gives growers and their agronomists the information they need from a field to make informed, educated decisions on many applications such as water and nutrient management.” By analyzing soil variability and patterns prior to sampling—and by using its industry-exclusive data acquisition and analysis software—SIS provides targeted recommendations on the best locations where soil samples should be taken. In some cases this reduces the number of samples required to provide high-quality information by as much as 60 percent over traditional sampling methods. As a result, the solution enables agronomists and other trusted advisors to be more efficient with in-field data collection, providing valuable time and operating cost savings.
“Our goal at Ag Technologies is to work with agronomists in the Southeast in order to offer cutting edge technology to growers.”
TEAM MEMBER
SPOTLIGHT Jesse Neidlinger
East Georgia Precision Ag Consultant, Statesboro, GA EXPERIENCE
Jesse has been with Ag Technologies for three years. He has an Associate’s degree in Agricultural Business from Ogeechee Technical College.
BEST THING ABOUT THE JOB
The best part of my job has to be the opportunity to work with a lot of different types of farmers. It gives me a chance to learn about the different farming practices these guys use and to see how I can help them incorporate technology into their farms.
SPARE TIME
I like to hunt, play golf and watch a little college football.
HOLIDAY PLANS
I plan on going back home to Waynesboro and spending some time with my family and friends.
Let Your Data Take You from Precision to Decision Agriculture What's step one for the successful farming operation?
Good planning, which begins with successful gathering of in-field information, observation of the crop through the year and recording your thoughts along the way. Data from precision ag has immense value for making management decisions. These management decisions must be based on “real-life” questions you have about improving your operation, driven by your collected data. The data you collect has tremendous value beyond the benefits you see in the cab.
So how do you begin the process of getting more answers from your precision ag data? Trimble Agriculture offers farm software solutions for data analysis—including mapping, accounting, water management, and more. You can select from a variety of modules that can be integrated and customized to provide a comprehensive management solution for your farm.
Farm Works™ farm management software solutions are part of
Trimble's Connected Farm™. Connected Farm is an integrated operations management solution that combines industry-leading hardware and software to increase efficiency and effectiveness for today's farming business. It enables better decision making through integrated management and information exchange across the entire farm.
REGIONAL SALES
REPRESENTATIVES
INTRODUCING
MonTag Fertilizer Systems
Central Georgia ERNEST COOK 855. 601.4477
Southwest Georgia & Southeast Alabama
Ag Technologies is pleased to now offer some of the most technologically advanced dry fertilizer agriculture equipment on the market. Montag units are recognized as being not only the most accurate in row to row applications, but also the most efficient in terms of horsepower required to operate the system. Montag Manufacturing grew out of the original patented idea for the unique air chambers of its founder and president, Roger Montag, in 1986. The need for a better cart to carry the dry fertilizer units soon led to the introduction of the unique auto steerable carts. Montag Manufacturing continues to introduce technology into the farming industry through its recent announcement of a tracked version of its unique auto steer carts. These tracked carts are built on a sturdy 12 ton frame and still keep the ability to be easily pulled and backed up that Montag Auto Steerable carts are known for. Let us introduce you to all the ways that Montag equipment can help you with more efficient fertilizer application. Call your Ag Tech Regional Sales Representative today.
CUSTOMER SPOTLIGHT DUDA, Oviedo, Florida
When Andrew Duda emigrated from Slovakia to the United States in 1909 to pursue the American dream, he probably never could have imagined that five generations and a century later his descendants would be managing operations throughout the country. In 1926, Duda and his three sons harvested their first cash crop of celery and established Duda & Sons in the small Slovak colony of Slavia in Central Florida. Still headquartered in Oviedo, Florida, the company has grown and evolved from its beginnings as a fresh vegetable grower and shipper to a diversified land company with a variety of agriculture and real estate operations. Employing approximately 550 full-time employees and 445 seasonal employees annually, the company reported consolidated gross revenues of $441 million for fiscal year 2014. Known as DUDA today, the company is in its fifth generation of family ownership and is managed by members of the third and fourth generations of the Duda family and a team of experienced managers.
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ROBBIE TABB 855.602.4477
South Georgia & North Florida MARTY SAYLOR 855.603.4477
East Georgia
JESSE NEIDLINGER 855.604.4477
Central & South Florida KEN LODGE 855.605.4477
South Carolina DARREN ATKINS 803.206.0935
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It is our mission at Ag Technologies to provide progressive-minded customers a complete solution of precision agriculture with superior products and a professional staff to help inspire, educate and provide first class service and support.
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CUSTOMER SPOTLIGHT CONTINUED Ag Technologies customers for two years, the DUDA farming operation currently uses Autopilot for guidance, Field IQ for application and rate control, and Field Level II for elevation control. According to Andrew Bryan, Research and Development Specialist, these precision agriculture products have made a significant difference in overall operations. “These products help us reduce operator fatigue, increase productivity and efficiency, control our chemical applications in order to put the right amount in the right place at the right time, as well as provide us the ability to accurately level land and cut ditches to grade for irrigation and drainage purposes. Over the past three years we have utilized autopilot and remote output to plant new citrus groves which helped reduce labor costs and increase productivity.” Although DUDA has grown and prospered over the years, they are not immune to the challenges faced today by farmers. “There are many factors in today’s farming that pose challenges, such as high input costs like fuel, fertilizer, chemistry and equipment, all while being part of an ever-changing industry. If you want to stay ahead of the curve and on the “cutting edge” as some call it, a grower must be prepared to try new ways to complete tasks in day to day operation,” said Bryan. In meeting these challenges and others throughout the years, the Duda family holds firm in the belief that their core values have held the company together as an organization. Since their founding in 1926 by Andrew Duda, a Slovak immigrant with an American dream to have the freedom to own land and practice his Christian faith, their values have remained the same: Faith in the Lord who richly blesses us all; Faith in the goodness of people; Responsibility to our customers, employees, and shareholders; Stewardship of the land and its resources; Integrity in our business conduct; Strength from diversity; The need to grow.