PureSense Adds Irrigation Manager iPhone App

Posted on June 17, 2010 by Melissa

PureSense Environmental Inc. announced that its Irrigation Manager iPhone application is now available through the iTunes App Store.

Built as a mobile platform for PureSense subscribers, the PureSense app brings the reporting power growers have come to expect from Irrigation Manager to the iPhone, allowing the grower to be more informed, efficient and mobile than ever before.

Growers can access timely, accurate data for each monitored irrigation set. With a single tap in the Charts feature, growers can view powerful PureSense charts used to support important irrigation decisions. The Alerts feature enables the viewing and analyzing of all recent moisture or weather related alerts, including frost, heat and wind alerts.

The app is available through iTunes and is only available to growers with a PureSense login. The Irrigation Manager app can be found here. For more information visit PureSense.com or call 888.882.7873.

Fluidigm Introduces First Reusable Bio-Chip

Posted on June 8, 2010 by Chuck

Fluidigm Corporation held a joint press conference this morning with the USDA’s Agricultural Research Service to announce their new reusable bio-chip architecture which is a first for the commercial market.

These reusable integrated fluidic circuits (IFCs) will dramatically lower SNP genotyping costs and are designed to support accelerated sample throughput, while maintaining data quality of 99.75 percent or greater accuracy and 99 percent or greater call rates.

Fluidigm initially invented this architecture to support a progressive new program driven by the Agricultural Research Service (ARS), the chief scientific research agency of the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA). The program’s goal is to drive high sample throughput genotyping down to a penny-per-data-point, which would enable widespread adoption of genetic analysis in vegetable and fruit seeds, livestock (cattle, pigs, sheep, poultry, etc.) and fishery management. This will significantly improve the quality and quantity of the food supply, while lowering production costs.

I spoke to Fluidigm President/CEO Gajus Worthington to learn more about the announcement and what it means to consumers today.

You can find the full release here (Word Doc) and listen to my interview with Gajus below.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

iPhone 4 Announced And Available Late June

Posted on June 7, 2010 by Chuck

Steve Jobs announced the latest version of the iPhone today. Sorry all you Android and BB fans. The only thing you’ve got going for you is that you have options to AT&T. Hopefully that will change soon. For now though just look at the next major jump in mobile communications and drool. You know you want one. I do.

When creating iPhone 4, Apple designers and engineers didn’t start with a clean sheet of paper. They started with three years of experience designing and building the phones that redefined what a phone can do. iPhone 4 is the result of everything they’ve learned so far. And it’s all contained in a beautiful enclosure a mere 9.3 millimeters thin, making iPhone 4 the world’s thinnest smartphone.

New Zoom For Farm Podcasters

Posted on June 3, 2010 by Chuck

Hey Farm Podcasters. There’s a new Zoom in your future. Samson has announced the Zoom H1 which should be available next month. I’m betting this one goes over very well. Retail price expected to be $99!

If you’d like to learn more about gadgets and how they can be used to make you more productive on the job then consider scheduling me for a presentation. I’ll be doing just this in coming weeks for the Cooperative Communicators Association Institute, Association for Communicating Excellence Annual Mtg. and American Farm Bureau Federation Public Relations Conference. I can conduct a show and tell while providing live examples of how these gadgets can be used to enhance your communications efforts. I think I’ll call it Gadget Goodness.

Features:

* Stereo X/Y mic configuration captures perfect stereo images
* Same frequency and SPL handling as popular Zoom H2
* Records Broadcast WAV (BWF) at 96kHz/48kHz/44.1kHz at 16-bit or 24-bit
* Records MP3 from 48 to 320kbps for maximum recording time
* Hi-Speed USB 2.0 port
* Built-in reference speaker
* Includes 2GB microSD card and one AA battery
* One AA size battery allows 10 hours operation
* Accommodates up to 32GB microSDHC memory cards
* Track marker function
* Low cut filter
* Built-in tripod mount
* 1/8″ external mic input
* Stereo 1/8″ line output
* Auto record level
* Optional accessory package (APH-1) includes windscreen, AC adapter (USB type), USB cable, adjustable tripod stand, padded-shell case and mic clip adapter

Gadgets For Communications

Posted on May 14, 2010 by Chuck

This summer I will be conducting several presentations for ag communications groups and the use of new technology (gadgets) will be a central theme. I’m looking for some feedback here on what you would most like to know on this subject. Feel free to leave comments or email me. I’m thinking of doing a series of posts on the subject too.

Questions I would like some feedback on include:

How important is technology to your job?
Does your company organization provide sufficient technology support? Do you have a gadget budget?
What type of gadgets are you most interested in learning more about: computers, netbooks, tablets, cameras, audio recorders, video recorders, software, methods of internet access, memory cards/readers, cloud services for web apps/data storage, hard drives, archive solutions. Feel free to mention specific brands or items.
How do you currently use gadgets in your job?
Do you need training? What method of training would be most useful?
What gadgets do you currently own and use in your job?
What gadgets do you want the most?

And speaking of gadgets. Here’s an ad for one of my most recent ones that I use a lot.

X-Ray Vision For Food Labels – FoodEssentials Scanner

Posted on April 14, 2010 by Chuck

What do you think will happen in rural America once the iPhone is available on multiple carriers? Yes, that’s right. The percentage of farmers with iPhones will increase. Let’s hope this happens soon since AT&T is not the rural carrier of choice. There are still a lot of farmers with iPhones of course and I know many who want one.

One of the reasons they want one is because of their functionality that includes apps. There’s an app for almost everything you can think of. A new one I just got info on is the FoodEssentials Scanner. These folks have a number of apps available. I thought this one looked pretty interesting.

For the first time, consumers can easily access additive, allergen, ingredient and nutrient properties of any food product in-store by scanning food label barcodes with an innovative iPhone application from FoodEssentials.

Consumers can use the FoodEssentials Scanner to customize their food label view to focus on particular ingredients, food intolerances, or dietary needs and then compare products side-by-side to help them to choose the best products for their family’s needs.

While food labeling is under increased scrutiny – including Michelle Obama’s push to improve labeling and the FDA’s recent Health and Diet Survey showing a 10% increase in consumers who read food labels – reading and comparing labels remains a confusing exercise for most consumers, not to mention allergy or food intolerance sufferers.

The aim of the FoodEssentials Scanner is to leverage technology to simplify and personalize the food choice process. ¨Food labels contain a lot of information and everyone has their own specific needs,¨ said Anton Xavier, CEO of FoodEssentials who co-founded the Chicago, Illinois based company in 2008. ¨We’re focused on delivering a personalized label experience for anyone with an allergy, food intolerance or specific need¨.

The FoodEssentials Food Label Database is at the core of the application. ¨Presently the database contains 160,000 commercially available products and over 30,000 ingredients¨ said Dheeraj Patri, co-founder and COO. ¨In addition, we’re dedicated to collecting product data for scans that return no results, so that the more it is used the better it’ll get¨.

TATT App

Posted on April 7, 2010 by Chuck

No. It has nothing to do with tattoos. The Truth About Trade & Technology now has an iPhone app.

We are a nonprofit advocacy group led by American farmers – narrowly focused, issue specific – as we support free trade and agricultural biotechnology.

The TATT mobile app allows you to stay on top of the latest biotech, trade and agriculture news on the go. Perfect for farmers working in the field.

HarvestMaster Releases New Field Research Software

Posted on March 25, 2010 by Chuck

HarvestMaster is bringing new research software to the field for agricultural research

HarvestMaster is pleased to announce two exciting releases for the Field Research Software (FRS) suite.

FRS NoteTaking and Harvest – new version 2.1 released
The new release of FRS NoteTaking and Harvest is now available to users. FRS can be used to collect electronic field notes for field plot observations, flowering and maturity notes, and on-combine measurements from the HarvestMaster Plot Harvest Data Systems. FRS is a Windows Mobile application for the Allegro Field PC.

“We are pleased to release a new version of FRS. This new release incorporates many recommendations from agriculture researchers. It is faster, easier to use, and more reliable than earlier versions,” said Keith Hunt, Agriculture Product Manager. “Release 2.1 of FRS has undergone unprecedented validation and testing making it rock solid and field ready for our customers.”

FRS for Laptop – new for 2010
FRS for Laptop is a brand new offering in the FRS suite for 2010. It brings the FRS Note Taking and Harvest functionality to a full screen PC based computer running Windows XP, Windows 7, or Windows Vista. For the first time, agriculture researchers can use a laptop or other PC device mounted in the combine with the industry leading HarvestMaster HM800 Plot Harvest Data Systems.

In addition to all the features found in FRS NoteTaking and Harvest, FRS for Laptop features a full screen display showing both spatial and tabular data views during the data collection process.

Leica Geosystems Announces mojo3D

Posted on March 4, 2010 by Chuck

Leica Mojo3D Leica Geosystems is represented here at Commodity Classic by Harlan Little, North American Business Manager. He showed me information that has just been released about their new mojo3D which puts mapping and guidance in a “new perspective.”

Designed to help growers get the job done more quickly and efficiently, the system combines a unique, three-dimensional user interface with rugged, water-resistant metal hardware built to withstand tough rural conditions.

With a large 7” touch-screen display and high-quality three-dimensional graphics, the Leica mojo3D has been built for ease of use. It has an intuitive, icon-based menu structure and setup wizards to minimize the time it takes to set the controls and get on with the task at hand. Users can change settings quickly and easily by tapping the relevant icon, without having to navigate away from the main guidance screen.

Users can customize the Leica mojo3D to meet individual requirements, with a range of option packs available, including terrain-compensated electric auto-steer via the Leica QuickSteer motor and Leica TWIST terrain compensation unit. Single section or multi-section control to reduce overlap and misses in spraying, spreading and planting applications is also available. Additionally, users have the option to upgrade auto-steer accuracy to 2cm RTK positioning with the Leica mojoRTK.

The Leica mojo3D may be pre-ordered now, and will begin shipping March 29. For more information about the Leica mojo3D and other ag guidance solutions from Leica Geosystems visit www.AgGuidance.com.

I interviewed Harlan and you can learn all about the new features and benefits of the new mojo3D in our discussion. He also talks about the mojoMINI which he’s holding in his hands in the photo.

You can listen to my interview with Harlan below.

Commodity Classic Photo Album

AgWired coverage of the 2010 Commodity Classic
is sponsored by: and

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Plant and Animal Genome Conference Success For Fluidigm

Posted on February 26, 2010 by Chuck

paglogo The 18th International Plant and Animal Genome Conference was a big success for AgWired sponsor Fluidigm. I spoke with product manager, Yong Yi, about his participation and what his take-aways were.

Yong says the key one for him was seeing the pace at which people are doing plant and animal research and picking up new technologies. He says it was easy to see it at the conference with not only the researchers in attendance but also in the exhibitors space with the growth of vendors coming to the show.

Fluidigm conducted a workshop titled, “Enabling High Sample Throughput SNP Genotyping for Plant and Animal Studies.” Speakers included Curt Van Tassell, USDA-ARS, Bovine Testing; Jim Seeb, University of Washington, Salmon Conservation and Nanne Faber, Enza Zaden, Seed Quality Control. Yong says they had great attendance and are planning on conducting a workshop like this at future conferences.

Fluidigm was also an exhibitor and Yong says the show once again proved a great place for the company to be. He said that they had a lot of interaction with people who were not familiar with their system that includes SNP genotyping and a new product line that does sample preparation for next generation sequencing. He feels very optimistic for the future after Fluidigm acquired recent new customers, USDA-ARS and Bayer CropScience.

You can listen to my interview with Yong below:

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Getting To Know Leica Geosystems

Posted on February 12, 2010 by Chuck

Since I’ve found that many AgWired fans are not familiar with Leica Geosystems, a new sponsor of ours, I thought it would be helpful to post a little background for you. You can also listen to an interview I did with Rob Kiernan at the recent AG CONNECT Expo. In it he said:

“Being a late entrant in the precision ag market, we have had the advantage of looking at what the market is seeking and identifying the gaps.” One of the gaps Leica identified was that of timely service. To address this need, Leica developed the Virtual Wrench™ service.

“Virtual Wrench is the world’s first remote service option. It gives the people who are operating the machinery the ability to reach out to the service team without having to leave the cab. Through cell phone connectivity, our technicians can look right inside that machine and see exactly what the operator is seeing. We’re able to help people with that service very quickly and very efficiently anywhere there is cell phone service.”

Translated, that means farmers aren’t waiting for a service truck to arrive in their field to fix the problem. Leica has found that about 90 percent of the service calls related to ag electronics can be “repaired” remotely, as it is primarily a matter of adjusting the various settings to the terrain and the task at hand.

So just what is Leica Geosystems? To start with it’s part of a nearly 200-year-old Swiss company with a long heritage of pioneering measurement solutions around the world. That background has been why they believe they can offer a strong lineup of precision ag products to today’s farmers. Continue reading →

8 Days Remain for Public Comments: Roundup Ready® Alfalfa

Posted on February 8, 2010 by Amanda

Just thought I would post a reminder that the deadline for all comments on Roundup Ready® Alfalfa are to be received by USDA on February 16, 2010. If you have not given your comments about this product, now would be a great time to do it. There are only 8 days left to discuss this American farm technology. Please, take the time to comment and encourage your colleagues to do the same.

You can find additional information on how to participate here, or you can go directly to the USDA’s comment website to leave your thoughts. Remember, the world is run by those who show up, so speak out to leave your voice in this discussion.

As of February 3, 2010 over 1400 comments have been received and processed by the USDA, 700 of which are generally positive. A breakout of all comments by state follows.

Did you know? According to a Roundup Ready Alfalfa fact sheet, “Growers report producing up to .9 more tons of alfalfa forage per acre due to more effective weed control with greater crop safety. The result: an additional $85 per acre of profit potential and an increased food supply for all. Studies have shown that due to fewer weeds, relative feed values can be improved 20% or more with Roundup Ready alfalfa. Dairy farmers appreciate the consistency of the hay delivered by the Roundup Ready alfalfa system, and trials show estimated increases in milk production per acre of 14% more than dairy cows fed alfalfa treated with conventional weed control systems. Because a healthy stand of Roundup Ready alfalfa is highly competitive with weeds, growers do not need to treat with herbicides as often.”

Apple Annouces iPad

Posted on January 27, 2010 by Chuck

ipad Apple just announced its newest creation – the iPad. There is an agricultural slant to this story. What is it? The continuing development of information technology that’s changing the way we market and engage our audience.

I can see me using one of these to participate in AgChat for example. Or do just about anything else I want to do on the web. Will it replace my Mac? No. Do I want one? Yes. I’m on the notification list for when they become available

A large, high-resolution LED-backlit, IPS display. An incredibly responsive Multi-Touch screen. And an amazingly powerful, Apple-designed chip. All in a design that’s thin and light enough to take anywhere. iPad isn’t just the best device of its kind. It’s a whole new kind of device.

The high-resolution, 9.7 inch LED-backlit, IPS display on iPad is remarkably crisp and vivid. Which makes it perfect for web browsing, watching movies, or showing off photos. It’s also been designed to work in any orientation — portrait or landscape. And because it uses a display technology called IPS (in-plane switching), it has a wide, 178° viewing angle. So you can hold it almost any way you want, and still get a brilliant picture, with excellent color and contrast.

Fluidigm Inks Deal With Bayer CropScience

Posted on January 27, 2010 by Chuck

AgWired sponsor, Fluidigm Corporation has just announced a multi-year agreement with a new client, Bayer CropScience. Here’s some details.

Fluidigm Corporation today announced it has entered into a multi-year agreement with Bayer CropScience to supply integrated fluidic circuits (IFCs) and instrumentation to Bayer CropScience’s global operations. Bayer CropScience will be using Fluidigm technology to conduct marker-assisted breeding, genetic analysis in its molecular breeding program and quality control on its vegetable seeds.

“Fluidigm is delighted to be a global supplier to Bayer CropScience. Our technology is perfectly suited to help them develop and take-to-market the highest-quality seeds for field and vegetable crops,” said Gajus Worthington, president and chief executive officer of Fluidigm. “We are committed to helping Bayer CropScience meet the ever-increasing demands for high-quality food supplies throughout the world.”

While many seed producers are using molecular breeding techniques, the capacity of the available test systems has been limited. Fluidigm’s technology increases output more than ten-fold and reduces the cost-per-data point to a mere fraction obtainable with standard 384 well plates for “high-throughput” genotyping. “Until recently, breeders throughout the world could only dream of such a technique, yet now Fluidigm is making this a reality,” Worthington explained. Continue reading →

Ag Leader at AG CONNECT

Posted on January 20, 2010 by Chuck

One of the exhibits I visited at AG CONNECT Expo is our primary Precision Pays.com sponsor, Ag Leader Technology. Mike Olson, Sales and Support Manager, was on the floor interacting with attendees when I stopped by.

The Ag Leader booth was one of the ones displaying the “New Product” banner. I asked Mike what was new. He says there have been several new products released recently by the company including their new INTEGRA display. The 12.1 inch screen combines the operation control options Ag Leader is known for, with a built-in full-featured steering and guidance system including an on-screen lightbar.

Mike says most of the growers he spoke with know they need to implement precision technology but are asking questions about how they can use it in their operation.

You can watch or listen to my interview with Mike below:

AG CONNECT Expo Photo Album

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Raven Slingshot Introduced at AG CONNECT Expo

Posted on January 14, 2010 by Chuck

Raven Ryan Molitor Precision agriculture technology is on display all over the AG CONNECT Expo show floor. I don’t think I’ve seen quite so many exhibits outside of a show dedicated to this growing technology application. Raven Industries is one of the companies exhibiting something new here at the show.

I spoke with Marketing Manager, Ryan Molitor, this afternoon about Slingshot. He says Slingshot represents a breakthrough in connectivity, online services and hardware. It can deliver advanced RTK correction signal technology and high speed internet using wireless in the cab.

You can listen to my interview with Ryan below:

AG CONNECT Expo Photo Album

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

An Agrievolution Taking Place in Orlando

Posted on January 11, 2010 by Chuck

One of the co-located events taking place with AG CONNECT EXPO is Agrievolution. Opening up the program this morning is Doug DeVries, Senior Vice President, Global Marketing Services – Agriculture and Turf Division, John Deere. I spoke with him just prior to the start of the program. Doug is pictured on the right with Rusty Fowler, Krone NA and Martin Richenhagen, AGCO.

Doug says that over the years ag equipment companies have seen an opportunity to work more closely together so two years ago there was a first meeting of a broad range of equipment manufacturing groups from around the world who met in Rome to seek ways to work together for the benefit of the industry. He says it’s no coincidence that this second meeting in taking place in conjunction with AG CONNECT Expo. The show is a global showcase for agricultural technology and it made sense to co-locate Agrievolution. Participants are here from all over the world representing a high percentage of the industry. They’ll talk about the state of the industry today and then tomorrow meet in groups to determine areas of opportunity to come together as a broader set of organizations. And that leads them right into AG CONNECT Expo.

AG CONNECT Expo Photo Album

You can listen to or download Doug’s full opening remarks about the U.S. ag industry here:

Download (mp3)

You can also listen to or download my interview with Doug below:

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Fluidigm Inks Deal With USDA

Posted on January 8, 2010 by Chuck

It looks like AgWired sponsor, Fluidigm Corporation, is making some new inroads into the agricultural sector with their announcement that “USDA’s Agricultural Research Service (ARS) has purchased a Fluidigm microfluidic-based EP1™ System to help develop and validate focused 96- and 384-SNP (single-nucleotide polymorphism) panels for testing America’s dairy and beef cattle. To ensure healthy cows and top quality product.”

ARS scientists are collaborating with leading members of the U.S. biotechnology industry to develop low-cost, high-throughput SNP panels that can genetically indicate cattle growth rates, disease resistance, milk productivity, health and longevity. To date ARS has studied over 100 of the more than 50,000 previously discovered genetic markers for cattle. The project’s goal is to turn out healthier cows that produce higher-quality milk and meat for consumers while also preserving the viability of the country’s thousands of cattle ranchers and dairy farmers. Validated SNP panels are expected to be utilized routinely in livestock breeding management. There are approximately nine million dairy cows and 35 million beef cattle in the United States
Continue reading →

New Fuel Saving Technology from Case

Posted on January 6, 2010 by Amanda

Gary Truitt with Hoosier Ag Today recently published an article titled, “New Fuel Saving Technology from Case,” that describes new says Case IH is improving their red tractors to save fuel and innovate the agriculture industry. Check it out!

Over the next few weeks, some of the biggest farm equipment trade shows will be taking place including the Ft. Wayne show next week and the National Farm Machinery show next month. The latest technology and tractor innovations will be on display. Not only are the size and the power of the new tractor lines impressive, but so is the sophistication of the technology used to operate the machines.

Tom Dean with Case IH says the new Red tractors will feature technology designed to save fuel, “Our diesel saver technology operates on the old adage ‘shift up and throttle back.’ It automatically does this continuously across a field taking every opportunity to lower engine RPMs.” “Case IH CVT technology automatically adjusts to deliver the best possible balance of power and fuel efficiency,” says John Bohnker, Case IH marketing manager for Magnum and Steiger® tractors. “It definitely hits the sweet spot between power, efficiency and simplicity.”