As Midwest farmers begin planting, using some of the features AgFiniti has to offer can keep your customers, or even your own operation, up and running. The same even goes for Ag Leader’s own employees, like myself. I’m Andrew Jungers, a Training Specialist at Ag Leader. Outside of my role at Ag Leader, I stay active on my family farm located in Northwest Iowa. We have found that the Remote Support feature in AgFiniti can be a vital tool.

Adding Remote Support to our operation was an easy decision since internet in the cab is already being utilized to get NTRIP RTK corrections for autosteer. The InCommand1200 in the tractor is set up so that I can log in and view the display at any time, without any prompts from the operator (a.k.a my dad). Being able to view the display at any time helps in a variety of ways.

• I like to check in to make sure everything is working. If there are any minor performance issues my dad may have missed, I can catch those and let him know before too many acres are covered.
• The operator in the cab will know any time someone is viewing their display. When I start remote viewing, this usually prompts my dad to call and ask, “Is everything is looking OK?” This also provides me the opportunity to ask about anything else on the planter, or just have a general discussion.
• Even when I am away from a computer or laptop, I can use the AgFiniti app on my smartphone to remote view the display at any time.
• Then there’s the obvious benefit of troubleshooting. Whenever my dad calls with an issue, the first thing I do is login to AgFiniti for Remote Support. Using Remote Support just about always cuts down on the troubleshooting time, and even navigating the display.

 

Fortunately so far this season, we’ve only had to use Remote Support for planter setup, checking in, and needing to adjust Hydraulic Down Force settings for some compacted ground.

As you can see, the Remote Support feature not only provides aid in troubleshooting scenarios but can keep both parties informed and communication lines open. To learn more about AgFiniti and Remote Support…

If you’re using SureForce, or considering adding it to your planter, you are likely curious about how it works in order to maximize its potential. By focusing on agronomic principles for the crop being planted and having a working knowledge of how SureForce behaves, we can ensure that the crop has a high potential for prompt and uniform emergence.

There are two influencers for applied force, the row unit and field conditions. Thinking about downforce in this way can help operators identify potential problems and gain a deeper understanding of information shown on the InCommand® 1200 display as applied force is automatically controlled. Typically the row unit will be unchanging throughout a planting season, whereas field conditions change seasonally and spatially.

SureForce is an active planter row unit force system that uses Gauge Wheel Load Sensors on each row to sense and respond according to changing planting conditions. Gauge Wheel Load is defined as the force being measured on the gauge wheels at any point during planting. Gauge wheel load is needed to achieve and maintain target depth at all times. SureForce acts to automatically apply force when gauge wheel load is insufficient or in excess as compared to the target setting.

SureForce Operational Principles

In the display, the default setting is Medium and is recommended as a starting point for all planters, field conditions, and crops.

Each SureForce setting has an associated target for gauge wheel load and ground contact. Target gauge wheel load will be overridden by SureForce when ground contact measurements are less than the target. Ground contact is determined by monitoring gauge wheel load over time as the planter travels through the field.

• Minimum – 50 lbs target gauge wheel load
• Light – 75 lbs target gauge wheel load
• Medium – 100 lbs target gauge wheel load
• Heavy – 150 lbs target gauge wheel load
• Maximum – 200 lbs target gauge wheel load

Row-by-row SureForce gauge wheel load maps on InCommand 1200 shows median load values every second. Each row unit’s load is sensed at 200 Hertz. The length of time insufficient gauge wheel load occurs is proportional to the amount of depth loss. Longer time of insufficient gauge wheel load = more depth loss. For this reason, it is discouraged to increase time threshold in the gauge wheel load alarm settings.

After the operator has spent the time to gain an understanding of all forces impacting the row unit during planting, gauge wheel load settings can serve as a valuable tool for fine-tuning the system.

Choosing to operate SureForce in a specific automatic control setting other than default and/or manually based on an arbitrarily determined applied force or gauge wheel load target is not advised.

Best Management Practices

Consult with a trusted agronomic advisor to gain an understanding of the impact of seed depth and sidewall compaction to the crop being planted. Set target depth and begin planting in Medium. The objective is to achieve and maintain target seed depth at all times without inhibiting root development from over compaction of the seed trench.

IMPORTANT: Proper Force is between the extremes of inadequate force resulting in depth loss or excess force resulting in compaction.

Using the applied force maps on InCommand 1200, check for depth loss in areas of the field with the lowest and highest values of applied force. If depth is being routinely lost, consider moving to a higher setting.

Using the applied force maps on InCommand 1200, check for compaction in areas of the field with the lowest and highest values of applied force. If compaction is being routinely observed, consider moving to a lower setting.

When might I expect to use a setting other than the default (Medium)?

Field conditions that may require less gauge wheel load:

Typically it is not one factor but rather a combination of these factors.

• Conventional tillage systems that can create very loose soil
• Sandy soils
• Excess moisture
• Field conditions that may require more gauge wheel load
• Typically it is not one factor but rather a combination of these factors.
• Dense cover crops
• Reduced tillage systems
• Drought conditions
• Cloddy seedbed

Interested in learning more about SureForce? Talk to your local Ag Leader dealer!

TerraStar is a high-quality correction source Ag Leader has offered since 2014. In the five years, TerraStar has expanded their signal offerings to match different farm needs, price points and geographical needs. Which TerraStar is right for you? We can help! Check out the features of each option below.

TerraStar-L

This correction signal was introduced in mid-2017 to meet a few purposes. First, it was designed to be an entry-level repeatable correction source for countries with or without a freely available correction source.

• Even countries with a satellite network like WAAS, make no claims to repeatability. This is where a subscription-based service like TerraStar-L comes in.
• Signal Obstructions. TerraStar-L handles temporary obstructions such as trees, buildings, etc. better than just WAAS alone
• TerraStar-L offers 4’’-6’’ repeatable accuracy and is available in annual subscriptions
• TerraStar-L is available for both GPS 6500 and GPS 7500 receivers
• One-year free subscription with every new GPS 7500 receiver purchase

TerraStar-C

TerraStar-C was the first TerraStar correction signal Ag Leader offered, starting when the GPS 6500 receiver was introduced in late 2014. This correction signal filled a need between those wanting something better than WAAS for high accuracy repeatable field operations such as spraying, planting or steering but did not need the absolute accuracy (nor cost) of RTK.

• TerraStar-C is a correction signal option for the GPS 6500 receiver.
• TerraStar-C provides 2”-4” (5cm) repeatable accuracy
• 3-month and 12-month subscriptions available
• Free 5-day demo

Try TerraStar to get the accuracy you need for spring planting

As mentioned above, TerraStar-C, TerraStar-C Pro and TerraStar-X all offer a free 5-day signal trial. Contact your local Ag Leader dealer for your free trial.

As you can see, Ag Leader offers a host of TerraStar subscriptions that fit many different accuracy needs and price points on the farm. Subscription options provide flexibility for when additional seasonal accuracy is needed.

Ag Leader currently offers a full line of correction signals that include RTK, TerraStar-X, TerraStar-C Pro, TerraStar-C, TerraStar-L, and WAAS/EGNOS in order to serve a large range of producers and crops.

Let AgFiniti help you be socially distant this spring!

There was a day not too long ago that being called “socially distant” wouldn’t have been a compliment. But we find ourselves here in the spring of 2020, where we’re asked to not only asked to maintain 6’ of space between one another, in many parts of the country, we’re required to do so. Many things have changed, but there’s one constant – people need to eat. That’s where you come in, and we’re here to help keep you going…safely. There will be times when face to face meetings now have to be replaced by virtual information sharing. Whether with your family members, dealer, co-op, agronomist, or others, you can safely work together by sharing information via AgFiniti. Share a prescription, coordinate field locations, or get support without the USB and the trips to the field using the sharing power of AgFiniti.  We’re offering a free 90-day AgFiniti subscription to all Ag Leader display users in order to help critical information get shared, even if face-to-face interaction isn’t possible.

Use AgFiniti to:  

See real-time stats 

See speed, direction, fleet location, as well as season-specific stats such as planting population, application rate, harvest yield and more! 

View remote displays 

Use AgFiniti to access InCommand displays for calibrating, equipment setup, troubleshooting and more! 

Share information  

Use AgFiniti to share files with your team or trusted advisors without leaving the cab!  

Track your fleet 

Know exactly where everyone in your operation is located from your phone, tablet or desktop. 

 

Setup is easy! Simply create a free account at AgFiniti.com. For more details and helpful resources, visit this page. 

As you may recall, last year Ag Leader announced an affordable annual prescriptions service to our AgFiniti® platform. Let’s expand a bit on what this service is, who it is intended for and some opportunities to learn more.

What is it?

Our AgFiniti customers can now generate prescriptions directly inside of the AgFiniti cloud, which can then be shared with their displays, for in-field machine control. This means customers can import, export, view, share, map, remotely support, generate reports and build recommendations.

Can I adjust the inputs in the recommendations?

Ag Leader understands that there is no one-size-fits-all solution when it comes to prescriptions, which is why AgFiniti users can adjust some of the inputs in these recommendations based on their own yield and soil fertility goals and the data they have available; or run a legend or equation-based prescription with customizable inputs to perfectly match their operational goals. This is in addition to the ability of our InCommand displays to further adjust prescriptions once they are loaded in.

How do I get started?

Getting started is simple. Growers need an AgFiniti account and an Essentials license. In order to generate prescriptions, growers will need to have field boundaries in AgFiniti for any field they wish to generate prescriptions for. These field boundaries can come from an Ag Leader field display, SMS Desktop Software or generated directly inside of AgFiniti with the new Boundary Manager tool.

Growers can now begin populating AgFiniti with the necessary inputs. The equation tool now allows you to build a planting recommendation for either corn or soybeans, based on a combination of your harvest datasets and the NCCPI from your soil survey information. By calculating the relationship between your actual field data and this index, the resulting prescription will allow you to define planting population for up to three yield zones.

Field boundaries serve an important purpose here–not only to assure the grower acre coverage, but this is also how customers will purchase this service. With the new Boundary Manager tool growers can generate boundaries from any mapped data saved in their account, giving them an accurate acre count in AgFiniti.

 

What is the pricing structure?

The pricing plan is especially easy to understand and budget for – a grower simply pays a flat rate of 75 cents per boundary acre for the fields they wish to build prescriptions for. After payment has been made, the grower can generate an unlimited number of prescriptions for those acres, for an entire calendar year. A secure, convenient e-commerce site allows for easy purchase.

Once the purchase is made, simply export them via AgFiniti wirelessly to Ag Leader displays, download them as .shp files or download into SMS to export for 3rd party controllers.

 

Try it Free for 100 Acres!

Using this tool for free is easy – contact your local Ag Leader dealer and check out this video to learn more about AgFiniti prescriptions and all it has to offer.

Sometimes the world of “big data” gets a bad rap. Especially when it comes to data privacy. Some companies in the spotlight recently haven’t done themselves any favors by not being completely transparent, having confusing terms of use, and accessing parts and pieces of your personal information you didn’t realize. (*cough* Alexa is listening *cough*)

In today’s climate, many farmers are concerned about companies using files stored, prescriptions created and other farm data that is in the cloud for analysis of their operation which can then be used against them when it’s time to make a purchase decision. These are valid concerns and beg the questions: Should I ditch the cloud? Or how do I KNOW my farm data is really ‘safe’?

Why the cloud?

There are many benefits to cloud-based services on the farm. For some, there are obvious advantages such as connectivity and accessibility of storage the cloud can provide. Having access to your farm data anytime right from your phone, or connecting all of your displays across your operation so each one has all the latest maps and info are good examples. If you’re working with trusted advisors, like an agronomist, to generate custom prescriptions, it’s helpful to have it sent right to your in-cab display. For this kind of connectivity across your farm a cloud-based platform, like AgFiniti, is a perfect fit.

What if I’m not ready for the cloud?

Let’s face it, cloud-based platforms aren’t for everyone. If that’s you, SMS Software can help you analyze data collected from just about any brand of display on your farm. While it has the ability to be connected to AgFiniti (which can help you share with your trusted advisors), you can choose for your data to ONLY live on your desktop.

Want to learn more about Ag Leader’s data management solutions? Talk to your local Ag Leader dealer.

We’re been busy here at Ag Leader bringing you updates and new features to our products for the spring season ahead. We have new InCommand display firmware, new SMS Software and AgFiniti versions to share.

InCommand Version 5.0

SMS Software Version 20.0

Connect SMS to Deere Operations Center!

Now connect your Deere Operation Center directly to SMS through AgFiniti to easily access all of your files for analysis. Today, the information only moves one way – from Deere to SMS. In the future, there will be the option to move Deere display files to SMS and back to your display totally wirelessly using AgFiniti. No more bringing files in using a USB, let Ag Leader’s connectivity work for you!

 

Experimenting with Seed and Input Varaibles?

Looking to test some yield-defining variables this spring? Check out the NEW Field Trial tools in SMS Advanced released in August with some new enhancements in SMS Version 20. Easily allows users to easily place individual trials, making it easier to replicate and manipulate trials as you see fit.

More Options for Installing Tile Mains

See full version 20.0 release notes and download here.

AgFiniti Version 7.0

Increased Storage Limits

Both AgFiniti licenses and SMS accounts saw increased storage capacity with this release. Specifics can be found in the release notes.

See full AgFiniti release notes here.

Spring is just around the corner and I am sure many of you have already been thinking about planting and may have started work in getting your planter ready to go.

Tillage has been a practice used by many over the years in an effort to solve problems such as seedbed preparation, weed control, burying crop residues and leveling the soil, to mention a few. While tillage operations are performed for various reasons, you still need to evaluate the need for each operation.

As your fields are prepared for planting with conventional tillage, your field can be cloddy, layered with a large amount of crop residue and wet. Outside of these conditions, you still have to deal with the various soil types across your fields.

When you put all these variables together, suddenly planting has become more difficult. Uniform emergence is a key for your crop to achieve its highest yield potential. To accomplish this, you need to plant your crop at the correct depth and make optimal seed to soil contact.  You may be asking yourself “How can I effectively control each of these variables?” An Ag Leader SureForce system can help achieve this, which may be one of the quickest returns on your investment.  Achieving uniform emergence pays dividends in the end with more bushels in the bin. Various land-grant and industry downforce research across the Midwest shows an increase in yield by 6-10%.

SureForce is an active planter row unit system that uses gauge wheel load sensors on each row to sense and respond instantly by either applying or removing force to spatially changing field conditions. It automatically applies force when gauge wheel load is insufficient or in excess as compared to the target setting.

In closing, focusing on the agronomic principles for getting your crop planted at the correct depth and achieving quality seed to soil contact is an aspect you will not regret. Seeding depth and downforce management are critical for optimizing planter performance.

Now You Can Have Both

The modern world is obsessed with speed. People want fast broadband, fast service, fast package delivery and, of course, fast food.

Farmers are no exception. The proverb, “make hay while the sun shines” applies to corn and soybean planting as much as hay making. When there’s a window of favorable planting conditions, it’s time to go.

It follows that high-speed planting would be in great demand, which has been proven through the introduction of fast planters to the market over the last few years. High-speed planting isn’t new to the market, but a high-speed system that combines high accuracy with simplicity and low maintenance is. That’s where Ag Leader’s SureSpeed planting system comes into play.

Hitting the planting window

In actuality, very few farmers can plant continuously at high speeds. “Not all producers can plant 12 miles an hour for a number of reasons,” says Bob Heston, Ag Leader product manager. Planting speed may be limited by tractor horsepower, the lay of the land, or ground conditions.

The true value of high-speed planting is more about timing than speed. Oftentimes farmers only have a short window when field conditions are ideal for planting. The 2019 growing season, for instance, left many farmers with just a few days when the ground was dry enough to plant.

“Increasing planting speed can be a huge benefit to hit that planting window,” says Heston. “You’re often planting in between weather breaks, and planting into soil that is too wet or dry can cost you yield.”

“Increasing planting speed in areas of the field where you are able to can help you to get more acres planted per day. This increased productivity not only allows you to hit your optimum planting window, but also lets you plant more acres when ground conditions are fit and stay out of the field when they are not.”

Higher speeds with excellent accuracy

This year, Ag Leader is introducing a high-speed planting system called SureSpeed. It’s designed to maintain 99% accuracy at any speed up to 12 mph.

“New high speed planters come with a steep price tag, so SureSpeed, which is our aftermarket option, is a very cost-effective way to get this technology on your planter,” says Heston.

Initial reports on SureSpeed performance show exceptional results.

Producer John Evans of Little River, Texas, installed SureSpeed on his 16-row John Deere planter as part of Ag Leader’s spring field testing.

“Just from what we’ve seen running SureSpeed this spring, I’m impressed. We were planting over 12 mph and consistently getting more than 99% singulation,” Evans says. “I won’t run that fast always, but it is nice to have the option. It could easily cut my planting window in half.”

Evans also reported that SureSpeed was easy to install. “The whole system installation was fairly simple. It went fast and wasn’t complicated,” he says.

“The system is built exactly like I’d expect from Ag Leader. On par with their other products, SureSpeed is well made and looks like it will last.”

Unique seed delivery design 

SureSpeed is designed from the ground up to be a high-speed system.

“Its unique meter design maximizes singulation at all speedswith a no-adjust floating singulator, while a controlled transfer of seed from the meter to the delivery device ensures perfect spacing,” says Heston.

A brushless DC motor and Kevlar-reinforced belt ensures SureSpeed will stand up to tough field conditions while minimizing maintenance costs. SureSpeed also works seamlessly with variable rate planting systems.

“Another feature of SureSpeed is that eliminating mechanical drives, chains and clutches reduces planter maintenance. For field serviceability, you can disassemble the whole system with no tools,” Heston says.

Works well with others

SureSpeed works best when combined with another Ag Leader product, the SureForce^® hydraulic downforce system.

“Together, SureSpeed and SureForce provide high accuracy seed spacing as well as consistent depth,” Heston says. “In addition, the system is controlled with Ag Leader’s industry-leading InCommand 1200 display.

The InCommand 1200 also delivers year-round functionality—from planting through harvest—including guidance and steering control for a truly all-in-one solution.

SureSpeed will be available for the 2021 planting season with aftermarket kits for all major brands of planters.

Have you considered a career in the Agriculture industry? It is very rewarding knowing you’re helping farmers feed, fuel and clothe the world! Plus, the ag industry is just plain fun! It’s about working hard and playing hard. It’s about being helpful and respectful to each other and it’s about a common goal of improvement.

Here at Ag Leader there are careers and positions for varying levels experience and skill sets. We have positions ranging from engineering and product management to field sales and technical support. No matter, we all share a common mission to develop new technologies, products and support systems to create a product line of unmatched range, quality and customer satisfaction.

Don’t take our word for it, read about our happy employees here.

Ag Leader is also a great place to work for the generous perks and benefits. Here’s why:

Leadership Opportunities

We value cultural fit and character over a full resume and believe in promoting from within whenever possible. Many of our company leaders started right out of school in our technical support department or production team.

Continuing Education

In the fast-paced technology industry, continuous learning is crucial. Whether it’s getting a degree or attending a conference, we encourage continuing education and provide financial assistance and support to do it.

Aggressive 401k Match

We match up to 6%, and employees are fully vested from day one.

High Quality, Affordable Healthcare

We offer a very affordable and comprehensive family healthcare plan including dental and vision.

Generous Time Off 

Our time off package ensures vacations and sick or personal time ranging from 4 weeks to 6 weeks in total based on tenure. Plus, paid holidays and a 10-day end-of-year break.

End of Year Break

At the end of the year, we close our doors to encourage employees to spend time with their families, rest and wrap up the year. We are closed from Christmas Eve through New Year’s Day.

Cash for Workplace Milestones

Get recognized at a bi-annual awards ceremony and receive cash at date of hire anniversaries.

Community Involvement

Ag Leader believes in giving back. We participate in philanthropic efforts that benefit our community.

 

 

Does all this sound enticing? Check out our open positions here.