Mapping outputs, controlling inputs
Massey Ferguson has probably done more than any other farm machinery manufacturer to popularise the precision farming concept whereby crop inputs are applied at variable rates onto a field.
As early as 1981, a Central Electronics Group was set up to “bring the world of electronics and computers into the world of combines and tractors”. In the research labs, work was underway on a combine that automatically controlled its harvesting speed and the table height. At the end of work, the combine’s on-board computers printed out daily production results and servicing needs.
By 1985, one of the key mandates of the CEG programme was to develop “Total systems controls that link the operation of the machine into the broader economic equation of the farm.” This mandate laid the foundation stone for Massey Ferguson’s precision farming development.
In 1991, Massey Ferguson demonstrated its first yield mapping technology system on combine harvesters. By 1995, more than 100 of these systems were in use. Using GPS navigation technology plus the combine’s on-board computer and yield meter, the system produced an accurate yield map tracking the amount of crop produced in each area of the field to the nearest five square metres. Produced on the farm office computer, the contours of the yield map - showing good areas and bad – provided information from which to make decisions about inputs like seed, fertilisers and pesticides.
Writing in July 1994, Massey Ferguson’s Mark Moore, who was investigating the potential of yield mapping for his PhD in agricultural engineering, put the spotlight on gross margins adding in other factors like the crop selling price, quality and input costs. Gross margin maps clearly showed the need for changing from the usual ‘blanket’ approach to crop production to a more controlled system where inputs were placed only where the crop had potential to make best use of them.
In 1996, Massey Ferguson launched ‘Fieldstar’ as the new brand name to cover all its activities in the precision farming sector. The new Fieldstar equipment was interchangeable between the cabs of the MF 30/40 Series combines and the MF 6100/8100 Series tractors. Based on the Datavision II performance and monitoring information system, a data card was inserted into the terminal to record and download data to the computer and produce a yield map. Subsequent treatment programmes could be transferred by data card back to the Datavision II terminal, now removed from the combine and into the tractor cab, for equipment such as drills and sprayers to be ‘instructed’ automatically when to reduce to increase application rates.
Today - Practical precision techniques
2007 saw the completion of an important seven-year research programme to develop the application of precision farming in Brazil. Using some of the latest technology now available on Massey Ferguson machines, yields in maize and soybean increased by an average of 14% and 10% respectively.
“Today, precision farming techniques are not only important for boosting productivity but also reducing the impact of inputs on the environment and providing traceability records,” says Dr Mark Moore, who is now a senior member of AGCO’s ATS Group.
Backed by the resources of ATS, machine control tools available on Massey Ferguson equipment include the Datatronic 3 tractor monitoring and control system which operates through the in-cab Console I colour terminal. Operators are provided with unrivalled capacity to automate operations, simplify adjustments and manage complex tasks as well as gather and store information in multiple memories.
Information from this can be processed in the GTA software suite, a powerful but easy-to-use modular program package that provides key information to keep tight control of costs and provide detail for input traceability. This includes GTA100 Communicator and GTA200 Record Keeping which provide machine management and operating records with printable reports. By adding GPS navigation, you can move up to GTA300 Mapping to produce yield maps, and then on to GTA400 Precision Farming to create prescription maps and vary rates on-the-move to match crop requirements.
Ends
About AGCO
Founded in 1990, AGCO Corporation (NYSE: AG) (www.agcocorp.com) is a global manufacturer of agricultural equipment and related replacement parts. AGCO offers a full product line including tractors, combines, hay tools, sprayers, forage, tillage equipment and implements, which are distributed through more than 3,000 independent dealers and distributors in more than 140 countries worldwide. AGCO products include the following well-known brands: AGCO®, Challenger®, Fendt®, Gleaner®, Hesston®, Massey Ferguson®, RoGator®, Spra-Coupe®, Sunflower®, Terra-Gator®, Valtra®, and White™ Planters. AGCO provides retail financing through AGCO Finance. The company is headquartered in Duluth, Georgia, and in 2007 had net sales of $6.8 billion.
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