Legacy With The Land – MyFarmlife.com

It’s nothing new for farmers to make tough decisions. And the nature of the business is such that those decisions are often informed by—and carry the weight of—generations of wisdom and stewardship.

Family is involved in decision-making. Again, nothing new. Adult children farm with their parents. Siblings farm together on family land. It’s the American way of farming.

But what if two prior generations of wisdom leave the farm suddenly, leaving a young farmer to move forward? And what if a remaining parent is, also suddenly, called upon to save that young farmer’s life?

Raymond Davidson and his son, Mike (above), were full-share partners in Davidson Farm as the new century turned over in 2000. They were already the third and fourth generation on the family land, near Tioga, North Dakota. Mike’s son, Ryan, was still in high school at the time, but very much a part of the family business.

“I was active in the field from the time I was in first grade,” says Ryan, now the fifth generation. “I’d be picking rock, changing sweeps on cultivators, washing windows, you name it,” he says.

“He was his dad and grandpa’s shadow”

Raymond became very ill in 2001 and passed away in 2002. Ryan had just started college at nearby Williston State, but “I was already farming full-time,” he says. He had learned from the best. “He was his dad and grandpa’s shadow,” says Holly Wheeler, Ryan’s mom, who also helped on the farm, mostly working the books.

The fall of 2004, Holly says, was one of their worst. It was wet, it was cold; harvest approached and the crops weren’t mature. Then just two years after losing Raymond, the family lost Mike.

“My husband had an accident,” says Holly. “He didn’t survive.” From a business standpoint, Mike’s share of the farm turned over to Holly, but the day-to-day operations—and the decision-making—fell to Ryan.

The kid who had been in the field since First Grade was ready. “Ryan just didn’t take a second thought about stepping into those shoes,” says Holly.

Learn more about Ryan’s journey.

Transforming Livestock Systems to Increase Productivity and Sustainability

With the global population growing rapidly, farmers and producers need to deliver nutritious protein to communities around the globe. At the same time, the world’s livestock sector is growing to meet the increasing demand for high-value animal protein driven by population growth, rising incomes and urbanization.

The livestock industry is a key driver for sustainable development in agriculture. It contributes to food security, nutrition, poverty alleviation, and economic growth. Through the adoption of best management practices, the sector can reduce environmental impacts and become more resource-efficient.

Livestock systems have an impact on the environment, including air, land, soil, water and biodiversity. Producers need tools to adopt best practices for raising livestock and reducing environmental impact while becoming more efficient in using resources.

Dr. Neville Gregory, author of Animal Welfare and Meat Production, describes three different types of livestock operations in his book:

1. Intensive livestock farming
2. Industrialized livestock farming
3. Subsistence farming

Within any of these types of operations, livestock can be raised in a system known as confined animal feeding operations, or CAFO’s.

Balance is needed in the industry to efficiently raise a large number of animals to meet the nutritional needs of a growing world population. While unique animal welfare issues can arise with livestock being housed in a CAFO, AGCO is working on innovations to help producers. With the right tools and equipment, producers can provide a life of good health, longevity, and superior performance to their livestock.

AGCO helps farmers and producers utilize systems that have the opportunity to reduce stress on animals, which promotes health and productivity.

AGCO’s solutions ensure animals live a healthy life.

To learn more about our Grain and Protein products, visit: https://www.automatedproduction.com/, https://www.grainsystems.com/, https://www.cumberlandpoultry.com/

Written by: Jessica Williamson, PhD, Hay and Forage Specialist. Jessica Williamson holds an M.S. in livestock nutrition and a Ph.D. in Forage Agronomy. Jessica is responsible for designing and conducting field tests on hay and forage equipment, educating customers on forage management and production best practices, as well as working with the Green Harvest team on future smart farming projects. Connect with Jessica on LinkedIn.

Sources

1. Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations. Livestock and Environment. 2020. http://www.fao.org/livestock-environment/en/. Accessed August 10, 2020.
2. Gregory, N. Animal Welfare and Meat Production. 2007.
3. USDA-Natural Resources Conservation Service. Animal Feeding Operations. https://www.nrcs.usda.gov/wps/portal/nrcs/main/national/plantsanimals/livestock/afo/. Accessed September 1, 2020.

Straightforward. Dependable. Connected. Meet the New Massey Ferguson MF 8S Series Tractor Range

Designed for farmers by farmers, following seven years of testing around the globe and extensive customer consultations, the MF 8S Series delivers exactly what operators want. While equipped with superb specifications, at the same time it offers exceptional value for money by ensuring owners will only pay for what they need.

“Our MF NEXT visionary concept, shown for the first time at Agritechnica in 2019, is now a reality,” says Thierry Lhotte, Vice President & Managing Director Massey Ferguson, Europe & Middle East. “Last November we were celebrating the 50th anniversary of the moon landing, which made the impossible become possible. Now it is time to deliver that vision landing on earth. We are not launching just a tractor, but also marking a new era for our brand.”

There are 4 completely new MF 8S Series tractor models all featured by the unique “Protect-U” cab/engine installation and a radical ‘neo-retro’ design. Built on a 3.05m wheelbase they offer maximum power from 205hp to 265hp, all with an extra 20hp from Engine Power Management (EPM).

At the same time, Massey Ferguson introduces new, straightforward numbering. Taking as an example the MF 8S.265 model: the 8 stands for the Series, the S stands for the specification level and the last three digits are the maximum power.

More than just a tractor

The launch of the MF 8S Series heralds a completely new era for Massey Ferguson, introducing an enhanced user experience encompassing the benefits of connectivity and smart farming technologies.

To meet the demand of modern, sustainable farming Massey Ferguson combines state-of-the-art machinery with a comprehensive range of fully connected services to help customers manage their businesses more effectively.

Finance, extended warranty, and courtesy machines can be fully integrated into the package. With MF Connect Telemetry and the new MyMF Customer Portal (depending on countries) users can manage their fleets with MF cloud-based solutions.

“This completely new design delivers the next level of straightforward and dependable tractors that operators asked for,” says Mr. Lhotte. “They told us they need a tractor that is comfortable, with unrivaled visibility, efficient, easy to use, and smart. Massey Ferguson has responded straight to the point with the MF 8S and the associated services.”

Massey Ferguson MF 8S series specifications

	MF 8S.205	MF 8S.225	MF 8 S.245	MF 8S.265
Engine	AGCO Power – Stage V – All-in-One technology
Engine capacity	6-cylinder, 7.4 liter
Transmissions	New Dyna E-Power Dual Clutch or Dyna-7 Semi-Powershift
Max. power @ 1,850rpm	205hp	225hp	245hp	265hp
Max. power EPM	225hp	245hp	265hp	285hp
Max torque @ 1,000 ÷ 1,500rpm	900Nm	1,000Nm	1,100Nm	1,200Nm

MF 8S Series – Introducing a new era

• A completely new 3.4m³ volume cab. With its unique shape and the four-pillar structure, this cab has unrivaled visibility. It offers the next level of space, comfort, controls, and connectivity.
• Thanks to the unique “Protect-U” design it reduces noise, heat, vibrations and enables clean and cool airflow to be aspired by the rear and delivered to the engine air filter. This cab is positioned as one of the best in the marketplace in terms of noise levels.
• Optimum control and smart farming capability are provided by the “MF vDisplay” digital and intuitive dashboard, Datatronic 5 terminal, and a new comprehensive MultiPad control lever with “Control Centre” armrest.
• The MF 8S Series introduces a choice of two completely new and efficient transmissions, delivering maximum power to the ground while reducing power losses by 26% and improving fuel economy by up to 10%.
• The new Dyna E-Power dual-clutch transmission combines the benefits of today’s available technologies: the feeling of a CVT and the efficiency of a directly mechanically-driven transmission. Alternatively, the new, super-efficient, Dyna-7 Semi-Powershift now offers 28 forward and reverse speeds.
• A new, rear axle combined with more oil flow improves efficiency and versatility. With up to 10% more traction power and 20% more flow, it enables the use of wider, more productive implements and machines to improve performance and reduce costs.
• Complete connectivity offering to improve profitability and sustainable farming. MF 8S comes standard with MF Connect Telemetry and optional MF Task Doc data transfer software allowing users to make management decisions to maximize efficiency and productivity.
• Choice of Exclusive or Efficient specification packages and options enable users to tailor their tractors to suit at best their specific needs.
• *MF Always Running courtesy tractor fleet service, included as standard, offers industry-leading service to maximize uptime.*in participating markets

High comfort cab – combining comfort, visibility, and connectivity

With its 24 cm. gap separating the cab from the engine, the “Protect-U” concept completely insulates the cab from noise, heat, and vibrations. Noise levels of just 68dB make it one of the quietest in the market and, with an interior volume of 3.4m³, it is also one of the most spacious.

With a 6.6m² glass area, it is a light and airy workplace boasting unrivaled space and visibility. Replacing the dashboard with the new digital “MF vDisplay” terminal fitted to the right pillar, leaves just the steering wheel and Power Control lever in front of the driver, providing exceptional forward visibility over the slim, super wasp-waisted bonnet.

Inside the cab, operators will feel the exclusive environment, with real leather on the seat (optional), a leatherette finish on the steering wheel and trim (optional). The new high-quality seat is auto-air suspended, heated, ventilated, and equipped with lateral damping. There is, of course, an efficient automatic air-con, which is supplied through 14 outlets. Mechanical active cab suspension further enhances comfort on Exclusive models.

The “MF vDisplay” digital dashboard shows all the tractor information at a glance. Easy to read and with intuitive operation, its clear display can be personalized and changed by simply scrolling through settings with a rotary knob by the steering wheel.

The new Control Centre armrest fitted with the latest easy-to-use MultiPad lever provides complete fingertip control. This ISOBUS compatible lever operates all the tractor functions and includes an integral micro-joystick to control two spool valves.

The updated Datatronic 5 (new “glossy” front glass and user interface) is mounted on an adjustable arm. This 9-inch touch-screen terminal is as easy and intuitive to use as any mobile phone or tablet. It is a single screen system for controlling the tractor functions and manage all MF Technologies such as MF Guide, MF Section, and Rate Control as well as MF Task Doc data capture and transfer.

High performance and efficiency

Latest Stage V AGCO Power 6-cylinder / 7.4-liter engines deliver more power, torque, and performance at low rpm reducing operating costs. Massey Ferguson’s straightforward All-In-One after-treatment technology along with hydraulic tappet adjustment, which is both maintenance-free, helps reduce running costs.

These robust engines develop 205hp to 265hp, with Engine Power Management (EPM) providing an extra 20hp for transport, PTO, and hydraulic applications. Maximum power is generated already at 1,000 rpm and it is constant up to 1,500 rpm – providing high performance at low engine speeds that cuts fuel consumption by 10% and noise by up to 6dB.

All-In-One integrated Selected Catalytic Reduction (SCR) with a Soot Catalyst (SC) is a fully integrated system that does not require the use of a Diesel Particulate Filter (DPF) or complex Variable Geometry Turbocharger. Designed to last the lifetime of the tractor, this compact unit, mounted outside the tractor, ensures visibility remains completely unimpeded and the exhaust pipe is even slimmer than before.

Unique encapsulated engine

The distinctive “Protec-U” design with its 24 cm. gap between the cab and the engine installation sets the MF 8S Series apart from all other tractors. As well as reducing heat, noise, and vibrations being transmitted to the cab, the unique encapsulated engine position improves cooling and performance.

Air drawn in from the middle of the tractor, behind the engine, is cleaner than that from the standard position. This clean air helps reduce the load on the main air filter while optimizing engine performance.

This innovative design greatly improves accessibility for cleaning the radiators too. Making it easier to carry out regular maintenance will improve reliability and help reduce downtime.

New highly efficient, easy to use transmissions

With the launch of the MF 8S Series, Massey Ferguson is introducing the next level of highly efficient transmission technology.

Designed and developed by its in-house experts, the Dyna E-Power, Dual Clutch gearbox combines the advantages of a continuously variable transmission (CVT) with the ability to transmit power as efficiently as a mechanical transmission. This new unit even further reduces power losses versus previous MF 7700 S Dyna-6, by up to 26% at higher speeds, delivering fuel savings up to 10%!

Dyna E-Power provides more than a full powershift, using Dual Clutch technology for ranges shift allowing anticipation and seamless changes. It offers four ranges with seven gears, with semi-overlaps ideally designed for maximizing in the field and on-road performance.

Operating fully automatically or manually using buttons on the MultiPad or Power Control lever, it is also possible to adjust how aggressively and quickly fully automatic changes are made to match work and conditions.

Gears change seamlessly, smoothly, and efficiently, with only a 9% gear ratio difference between each speed in fieldwork applications from 5km/hr to 20km/hr.

To further improve fuel efficiency, cut noise and improve comfort, top speeds are achieved at very low engine rpm. 50km/hr (where permitted) are reached at 1,500rpm, while 40km/hr just need 1,200rpm.

Alternatively, users can choose the new Dyna-7, semi powershift gearbox, which is the latest development of the renowned and reliable Dyna-6, with the same straightforward operation. This provides not only one extra powershift gear and smoother shifting, but it is also 10% more efficient than the Dyna-6 for the same engine horsepower in-field application.

Dyna-7 offers the easy and efficient operation of a total of 28 forward and reverse speeds in four ranges and seven seamless gears. This cost-effective transmission delivers smooth and intuitive operation in manual mode or can even be operated fully automatically.

For those requiring the comfort and control from a continuously variable transmission (CVT) the MF Dyna-VT will be available for the MF 8S Series in the future.

High performance and efficiency

Massey Ferguson MF 8S Series tractors are built on a 3.05m wheelbase that provides stability and improves traction when working with wide, demanding implements, offering up to nearly 10% more traction power.

Power is efficiently transferred to the ground through a new, immensely strong rear axle, with a choice of flanged, short, or long bar axles, to suit all operations.

New wheel specifications now include the ability to fit up to 2.05m diameter rear tires, including the brand-new option of VF650/75 R42 Trelleborg TM1000 PT.

The tractors retain the well-proven standard suspended front axle. Offering a tight, 5.7m turning radius. Now equipped with suspension lock, it also equipped with brakes for tractors fitted with all 50km/hr transmissions.

Three-point linkage capacity is increased by 7% to 10,000kg and, with powerful new hydraulics, these tractors handle and operate large, wider implements. A 150 liter/min closed-center, the load-sensing hydraulic system is standard, providing 36% more flow compared with the previous system. A 205 liter/min flow is an option, which can also be supplied as an ECO version, generating the flow at 1,650rpm (230l/min at max at rated engine speed). Up to five electronic rear spool valves can be specified.

All models come with a four-speed PTO as standard, providing a choice of 540, 540ECO, 1,000, or 1,000ECO, which means operators can always select the right speed for power or economy.

A new 4,800kg capacity front linkage option, fully integrated into the tractor, comes with the option of an ISOBUS socket.

100% Connected

Connectivity is the standard on the MF 8S Series, which comes with MF Connect Telemetry including a three-year subscription license. This uses mobile data to transfer information to the MF Connect Cloud, providing easy access to useful management information on machines.

As well as logging the machine’s position and data it can also send error messages and upcoming service requirement alerts to users and dealers (with permission).

This is fully integrated into the ‘MyMF’ customer portal where users can view and manage the information and data in real-time, remotely from any internet-enabled device. (MyMF will be available soon in the UK, Ireland, France, and Germany and will follow later in other countries).

All MF 8S Series tractors can also be equipped with a full range of Sustainable Farming Technologies.

Heart of the system is the intuitive Datatronic 5, touch-screen terminal, this does not only manage the tractor functions, but it allows complete control of all ISOBUS compatible implements.

A new antenna rail, positioned at the front of the cab, enables easy mounting of a choice of GPS receivers up to RTK precision. For security and risk avoidance, the antenna is locked in place with a key as standard.

An optional Fieldstar 5 terminal can be used to manage all the MF Technologies– including MF Guide, while MF Section and Rate Control can now handle up to 36 sections and five products. It now also records the field boundaries and provides automatic field detection.

MF Task Doc and Task Doc Pro automatically record and wirelessly transfer the gathered information and data. This is a fast, easy, and secure way to create accurate documentation to help operators comply with regulations and store useful information.

MF Task Doc Pro will also create application plans and fully synchronizes with farm management software. With NEXT Machine Management data can be simply and securely transferred wirelessly via the Agrirouter Cloud.

Best by design

The new MF 8S Series combines radical designs with a practical purpose. The striking ‘neo-retro’ design pays tribute to the brand’s heritage, illustrated by a new interpretation of the iconic MF grey saber stripe on the side and horse head collar motif on the bonnet, which dates back to the MF 100 series.

Superb specifications

MF 8S Series Exclusive specification models are available from now. These powerful offerings will be expanded with the introduction of the Efficient versions in early 2021, along with the Dyna-VT (CVT) transmission option for all models later in 2021.

The Exclusive specification is a comprehensive package providing operators with exceptional comfort and ease of use as well as genuine performance-enhancing features to increase productivity and efficiency.

As well as a choice of the Dyna-E Power or Dyna-7 transmission, Exclusive models come equipped to a high specification, including MultiPad control lever, five electric spool valves with fingertip switches and joystick. It is MF Guide ready, with MF Task Doc recording and, in common with all MF 8S Series, it includes MF Connect telemetry with a three-year subscription.

MF Always Running offers industry-leading dependability since 2019

All owners of MF 8S tractors will benefit from the peace of mind that comes with the MF Always Running courtesy tractor fleet service, which is included as standard. This unique service provides a temporary replacement of the same power and specification.

AGCO Crop Tour Field Report: Tractor and Planter Compaction

AGCO Corporation releases the first 2020 Crop Tour™ field update

Soil compacted at planting can reduce yields by restricting root growth and reducing nutrient and water availability. Soil compaction caused by wheel traffic has become an increasing concern among farmers, especially due to the weight of high-capacity, central-fill planters on the center transport wheels. Demonstrating just how much compaction can occur, how it impacts yield and how to minimize compaction at planting are goals of the AGCO Crop Tour program in 2020.

AGCO agronomists will be observing crop development and measuring yield at Fendt Momentum Crop Tour plots throughout the Corn Belt this summer. In one of their first observations, the agronomists used a soil penetrometer to measure compaction caused by the tractor/planter compared to compaction in areas where the planter did not run (see Figure 1). Penetrometers measure resistance in pounds per square inch as the device is slowly pushed into the ground, simulating a root penetrating soil. The more resistance to the penetrometer, the harder it will be for roots to grow and penetrate soil. Readings were collected in five locations in Illinois, Ohio and South Dakota.

Figure 1. Soil penetrometers provide an indication of soil compaction by measuring the resistance of the soil to the probe in pounds per square inch as the probe is slowly pushed into the ground. The plotted points represent the average of 15 readings in each track across plots located at Chillicothe, OH; Gridley and Pontiac, IL; and two plots in Baltic, SD. The tractor-only tire track was made by the inside dual wheel of the tractor, while the tractor-and-planter track was made by the outside tractor dual followed by the in-line tandem center transport wheels of a Fendt Momentum planter.

The plots were planted with a Fendt® Momentum™ planter equipped with the Load Logic™ system to distribute the weight of the planter, seed and liquid fertilizer across all the planter’s tires to lessen the load on the center transport wheels and reduce compaction near the center rows. The planter’s in-line tandem center transport wheels were equipped with very-high flexion tires and an auto tire inflation system that constantly adjusts tire PSI, depending on planter weight to minimize pressure on the soil.

The chart shows that the planter added little to no extra compaction to that caused by the tractor tires. Many studies have shown that the first pass of equipment, such as the planter tractor, produces most of the soil compaction that occurs.

“These initial results support our goal of not causing added compaction with the planter in order to give corn and soybean plants their best shot at optimum yields,” says Jason Lee, AGCO agronomist and farm solutions specialist. “We will be taking plant measurements and hand-harvest estimates as the season progresses, along with harvest yield results this fall, to tell the full story.”

Past research verifies yield loss due to compaction at planting

Yield losses from compaction created at planting due to interrow wheel traffic from the tractor and planter can be substantial. In 2011, Pioneer on-farm trials determined average corn yields of rows planted by the outside wing sections of the planter were significantly greater than yields from the rows planted by the center planter segment in nine of 12 locations. In fact, the rows planted by the outside wing segments yielded an average of 11.3 bu/ac more than rows planted by the center section of the planter, due to interrow wheel traffic from the tractor and planter.

AGCO will continue to report AGCO Crop Tour plot progress, event updates and harvest results through farm media outlets, as well as via social media and online at www.fendt.com/us/planters/crop-tour; on Facebook at Fendt Global and on Twitter @Fendt_NA. Follow the hashtags #AGCOCropTour and #FendtMomentum. The Fendt Momentum planter will be on display at select dealer events and locations. For more information, visit Fendt.com or contact your local dealer.

A Deep Dive into Soil Compaction

Avoiding soil compaction is a challenge, especially when weather and the calendar push growers into tough decisions about when to plant, till or harvest. Working wet soil and other no-no’s come at a price: Experts put average yield losses from compaction at 10 to 20%, even all the way up to 60% in extreme situations.

In fact, soil scientists in North Dakota and Minnesota predict an economic cost of $587 million (yield loss and expense of leveling ruts) through 2021 for every 10% of the corn and soybean acres affected by deep wheel-traffic compaction during the wet 2019 harvest conditions. Actual impacted land area may range up to 30%, resulting in actual costs from compaction up to to $1.76 billion in those two states alone.

What Is Compaction?

In its simplest definition, soil compaction is a form of soil degradation in which soil bulk density increases as the porosity, or space between solid soil particles, decreases when particles are pushed together. Pore space is essential for the movement of air, water, nutrients, soil organisms and plant roots, which is why losing porosity to compaction is such a threat to crop health and yields.

Click here or on the illustration below to see and read about the five main types of soil compaction in farm fields.

Agronomic Impacts of Compaction

Compaction, especially in fine- and medium-textured soils, takes a toll on growing plants. As a physical barrier, it can delay or prevent seedling emergence (crusting), or cause root tips to be club-like or stunted, with few of the fine lateral roots and root hairs needed to take in water and nutrients. Roots may shoot to the sides, looking for a way through the soil, unable to grow past subsoil compaction and left more vulnerable to different stress factors.

And there’s a more direct impact on plant growth, beyond the physical barriers to healthy roots. In what is thought to be a natural survival mechanism, “a root system that’s up against mechanical barriers sends a hormonal signal to the plant shoot, which then slows down respiration and growth.”*

The loss of porosity also cuts down on the soil’s ability to store ample water and allow the gaseous exchange needed to supply oxygen to plant roots and beneficial soil organisms. That contributes to moisture stress and nutrient deficiencies.

If crops have trouble emerging, establishing a robust root system, reaching and taking in nutrients, and even tell themselves to slow down to survive, plant health and yields suffer.

Signs of Compaction

While compaction can reduce crop growth and yield without revealing itself as the cause, there are several visual signs that the condition may be affecting your fields and crops:

• Uneven emergence, especially in wheel track patterns
• Malformed root growth: roots that are flat, stubby, thin, twisted or growing horizontally rather than vertically on one or both sides (hatchet roots)
• Stunted growth or plants showing signs of nutrient deficiencies
• Areas of the field that suffer more from drought stress or disease and insect pressure
• Standing water
• Excessive water erosion

Ways To Avoid Compaction

Soil scientists and agronomists agree on the best way to avoid topsoil compaction at planting or harvest time: Stay out of the field if the soil is too wet to plant without smearing or creating sidewall compaction, or too wet to support the weight of the combine.

When it is time to be in the field, a major way to limit compaction damage is to choose tires with a large footprint, inflated only to the minimum allowable pressures for the weight. Central tire inflation systems, such as the VarioGrip™ tire pressure regulation system on Fendt® row-crop tractors and the Load Logic™ weight management system on the Fendt Momentum™ planter, automate the process of inflating and deflating tires to correct pressures for field and transport. Operators save time while making the right choice for their soil, instead of hurting yields by creating new compaction.

Jason Lee, AGCO agronomist for North America, notes that growers trying to get all their acres planted in windows shortened by weather and soil conditions are drawn to the productivity of high-speed, central-fill planters, but until now may have lost significant yield in the center rows due to wheel compaction from large, heavy commodity tanks.

“With Load Logic on the high-capacity Fendt Momentum planter, growers can benefit from fewer fill stops for seed and fertilizer without paying a penalty from creating more compaction,” he says. “The weight management system not only manages tire pressures, but also gives you the choice of spreading the weight equally across all the planter wheels, or concentrating the weight on the in-line tandem central transport wheels to limit compaction to a controlled traffic path.”

Lee adds that having tire pressure regulation on both the Fendt planter tractor and the Momentum planter “reduces that first-pass compaction and offers growers a complete compaction management systems approach.”

Additional choices soil experts recommend to avoid surface and sidewall compaction at planting time include:

• Leaving some crop residue over the row to reduce crusting
• Planting at an adequate depth (not too shallow) with appropriate downforce and use of seed firmers
• Using controlled traffic lanes to re-use the same wheel tracks

At harvest time, they give similar advice: don’t drive on overly wet fields; use wide tires or tracks; keep trucks out of the field; establish and stay on grain cart paths, ideally same as the combine; don’t till wet soils; use cover crops to help build soil structure while protecting soils from erosion. AGCO’s Fendt IDEAL™ combines offer hydraulic suspended rubber tracks with the largest footprint on every belt size, for maneuverability on any terrain while mitigating compaction.

Tillage Options for Compaction
AUDIO: A range of options exist to improve soil structure, from mechanical tillage to deep-rooted cover crops. In this brief podcast, Larry Kuster, AGCO marketing specialist for seeding and tillage, explains tillage options for breaking up severe, yield-limiting compaction layers at two different depths in the soil profile.

By Marilyn Cummins

* Building Soils for Better Crops, 3rd Edition from the USDA Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education program

MANUFACTURING PERSONAL PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT: HOW AGCO IS HELPING FIGHT THE CORONAVIRUS

Using commercial-grade 3D printing, also known as additive manufacturing (AM), our teams have produced approximately 8,000 face shields in Beauvais, France; Asbach-Bäumenheim, Germany; Santa Rosa and Mogi, Brazil.

Our combined capacity is growing to 2,000 units weekly. In each location, we are working with local partners, such as the Hospital Vida E Saúde  and UNIJUÍ, the Regional University of Northwestern Rio Grande do Sul in Santa Rosa, Brazil, to distribute the PPE.

Watch the video below to see how our Fendt team at the cabin manufacturer in Asbach-Bäumenheim saw the need for personal protective equipment in their community and came together with an innovative solution.

But the innovation hasn’t stopped there. Our manufacturing teams have also produced:

• 1,300 ear protectors in our Beauvais, France; Omaha, Nebraska; and Paris, Illinois facilities.
• 40 mobile hospital beds in Santa Rosa, Brazil, with the capacity to produce 25 per week.
• 25 reusable masks in our Omaha, Nebraska and Paris, Illinois facilities, and we are in the process of increasing our output.
• 1,000 individual door openers to minimize the risk of infection; these are being used within AGCO’s facilities.

We will keep innovating for as long as it takes to provide health care workers in our communities the personal protective equipment they need to stay safe and healthy in this crisis.

Learn more about AGCO’s response to the coronavirus pandemic on our corporate website.

Dry Spring Season: Slightly Deeper Planting Depth and FurrowForce™ Support Sugar Beet Emergence In Challenging Planting Periods

The Crop Tour trial plot for sugar beets on the Swiss Future Farm in 2020 was planted under challenging conditions, as we were experiencing a spring period with extraordinarily low precipitation during the planting period for sugar beets between the middle of March and the middle of April. In comparison to previous years, the precipitation sum did not even amount to one-fifth of the amount we received in the past couple of years in our location in Northeastern Switzerland with 10 mm in 2020 vs. 55 mm in 2019 and 64 mm in 2018, respectively (Figure 1).

Figure 1. Precipitation during sugar beet planting season on Swiss Future Farm 2018-2020.

The SFF Crop Tour plot for sugar beets was planted in a field with homogenous soil conditions on an area of 4.5 hectares on 6th April 2020 with a planted population of 100,000 seeds per hectare. The trial plot comprises the following experimental machine settings:

• Planting depth: 2.5 cm (standard) , 3.8 cm (slightly deeper), and 6.4 cm (deep)
• Closing pressure: 7 kg (light), 10 kg (standard), 14 kg (increased), 20 kg (heavy)

A Precision Planting planter with 3 meters working width, 6 rows and 50 cm row spacing, equipped with Precision Planting’s vSet®, vDrive®, DeltaForce®, SpeedTube®, SmartFirmer®, and FurrowJe®t technologies was used to plant the trial plot with a Fendt 516 with VarioGuide and RTK. As a new feature, the planter was equipped with Precision Planting’s latest innovation, the FurrowForce pneumatic closing system (Figure 2).

Figure 2. Planting sugar beets under very dry conditions with a planter equipped with Precision Planting FurrowForce.

Results

Field emergence and juvenile development of beets on the trial plot was measured 22 days after planting by the Cantonal Crop Consultancy Service of BBZ Arenenberg. Significantly higher field emergence was found in the trial strips that were planted at a slightly deeper planting depth of 3.8 cm, whereas fewer beets had emerged in the trial strips planted at the standard planting depth of 2.5 cm and a deep planting depth of 6.4 cm (Figure 3, top). This shows that beets planted at 3.8 cm were placed in sufficient moisture, whereas the germination environment for beets planted at 2.5 cm was too dry. Considering the juvenile development (Figure 3, bottom), although the share of further developed plants with 2 true leaves is higher in the trial plot planted at standard depth, this will not compensate for the overall reduced crop stand that amounts to only half of the established plants of the trial strips planted slightly deeper.

Figure 3. Field emergence and juvenile development of sugar beets in the 2020 planting depth study.

Results of the different closing pressure applied with the FurrowForce system in sugar beets planted at 3.8 cm depth show that field emergence improved, when higher closing pressure was applied (Figure 4, top). This can be explained by the extraordinary dry planting conditions, where furrows closed with high closing pressure had the best ability to preserve moisture and were not prone to be compacted. Looking at juvenile development, trial strips planted with a closing pressure of 20 kg exerted by FurrowForce had the highest share of further developed beets in the 2-leaf stadium (Figure 4, bottom).

Figure 4. Field emergence and juvenile development of sugar beets in the 2020 closing study.

Conclusions

• Slightly deeper planting depths for sugar beets of 3.8 cm (1.5 inch) compared to standard 2.5 cm (1.0 inch) places the seed in sufficient moisture conditions and enables better germination conditions and crop establishment in dry periods.
• FurrowForce applied with a closing pressure of 20 kilograms enabled to preserve soil moisture most effectively under the very dry planting conditions compared to lower closing pressure, and enabled best field emergence on the trial plot.

Outlook

A second measurement of field emergence and juvenile development will be required in the upcoming weeks to investigate to which extend a period of rainfall that started on the day after the first measurement has further influenced crop establishment.

Figure 5. Impressions from the 2020 Crop Tour sugar beet trial plot on Swiss Future Farm with FurrowForce trial strip (top left), emerged sugar beets on the trial strip 22 days after planting (top right), and well-established sugar beet in 2-leaf stadium (bottom).

Written by: Nils Zehner.  Nils Zehner, agricultural engineer, AGCO Corporation & Swiss Future Farm. Connect with Nils on TWITTER or LinkedIn 

Nils Zehner is serving as Agricultural Engineer and Swiss Future Farm Manager for the AGCO Global Agronomy and Farm Solutions Team and the Commercial Fuse Team EME.

Planting is one of the most important operations to maximize crop yields

At this time in the Southern Hemisphere, farmers are in the process of carrying out one of the most important actions for grain crops: planting. During planting, the number of productive units will be defined according to the adjustment of each cultivar/hybrid and region. Thus, we define the number of plants per unit area that will intercept sunlight, take up water and nutrients and fight off harmful organisms such as weeds, insects, fungi, nematodes, among others. The success of the planting comes from understanding the many factors are involved in the process.

The technologies available on the market provide growers with the potential to increase their yields and reduce waste. However, it is still important to understand that success in planting and yield is proportional to the level of knowledge we apply per square meter, together with the technologies compatible with this level of knowledge. That goes for all crops.

Now let’s talk about factors for successful planting, some of which come before or after the action of planting itself:

• No-till and crop rotation: For South America cropping systems, this is the foundation to reach higher yields at a low cost to the environment. It is responsible for maintaining a productive area over the years, as it allows the conservation of soil, water and nutrients.
• Agricultural zoning of climate risk: The Brazilian government provides a free tool for farmers to manage planting dates with less chance of yield decreasing due to adverse conditions such as drought, frost, hail, high temperature, etc. Learn more about zoning and planting dates in your area here.
• Planting date: As mentioned above, the Brazilian government already provides a platform to manage this important factor. To understand its importance, the planting date should be the one that increases the interception of sunlight by plants, as well as the one where soil temperature and moisture are favorable for seed germination.
• Seed quality: The seed used must have high vigor and germination values, which will allow uniform emergence. In addition to the aspects related to vigor/germination, we should always pay attention to the physical quality (strange speck, size, moisture, weight of 1000 seeds) and phytosanitary quality, besides of course the genetic quality, which defines the yield potential.
• Seed treatment: It is important to evaluate the use of treatments each season, but it is difficult to think about planting any crop without seed treatments like fungicides, insecticides and inoculants. Both fungicides and insecticides protect the seed from damage in the soil, especially in situations where planting occurs under adverse conditions of moisture and temperature. Inoculants aim to make nutrients and other compounds available, improving crop growth and reducing costs. Today, most producers are looking for more efficient and fast inoculation solutions such as in-furrow inoculation.
• Genetics: Genetics represent the yield potential of a cultivar or a hybrid. Genetics determine many things in planting, such as the number of seeds per area, as well as their resistance to adverse weather conditions and resistance to insects, diseases and herbicides.
• Crop nutrition: It is a very important part because it is the “food” of the plant and there are several ways to make it: dry fertilizer, organic fertilizer, foliar and biological fertilization. The most traditional form is dry fertilizer, where we apply a portion or even all nutrients by broadcasting or banding. In general, banding fertilizer is more efficient, because fertilizer applied in the furrow stimulates root development. However, sometimes we broadcast fertilizers to improve logistics during planting and to ensure that it is all applied in time for the most appropriate planting date. We use foliar (leaf) fertilization to release micronutrients when there is a specific need, while organic and biological fertilization has recently gained strength, showing good results. Inoculation can also be a form of biological fertilizer, as it makes nitrogen available to many crops.
• Machinery: Planting equipment must ensure the success of correct seed distribution in the seed bed. Correct distribution means we have seeds deposited at the same depth, evenly spaced in the bed, without skips and doubles, all over the ground (even if it has bumpy topography) and with no overlap. To maintain this quality, one needs to pay attention to the operational capacity of the planter, because when we want to plant faster to end up planting by the best planting date, the increased speed can reduce the planting quality and reduce the crop yield potential. Thus, it is important to adjust the number of machines to the size of the farm, avoiding the need for an excessive increase in speed, or alternatively, operators can invest in new technology that permits high-speed planting. Planting at the optimal speed for the planting and field conditions will make better use of the inputs, such as seeds and nutrients. The technology available in modern planters allows us to be more efficient in planting. It also allows the use of agronomic information to project seed rate aspects, as well as real-time monitoring of the operation, in partnership with technologies that deliver proper seed distribution.

 

How AGCO helps the grower in this process:

AGCO and its brands and dealers aim to help the farmer to make more efficient use of production resources and inputs through the field application being performed at the right time, place and exact amount, reducing waste, costs and increasing crop yield potential.

For this, AGCO provides a package of agronomic services: the Farm Solutions. Farm Solutions seeks to integrate people, machines and processes to provide the farmers better utilization of their equipment, ideally 100% of its capacity. Then, their yields are limited only by the knowledge applied per square meter.

At planting time, Farm Solutions calculates and creates recommendations to make planting more efficient, such as:

• The best way to run the planter to increase the number of rows planted per hectare;
• Anticipating points where planter will be empty, to know when and where to load seeds and fertilizer;
• Allowing farmers to use controlled-traffic farming, which reduces soil compaction and erosion;
• Using variable-rate seeding and fertilizer prescriptions;
• Creating interpolated maps to evaluate the planting quality;
• Monitoring in a real-time basis the agronomic and operational pattern of planting.

 

To learn more about Farm Solutions from AGCO machinery brands in South America, visit this site for Massey Ferguson and this site for Valtra.

 

Written by: Vinicius Cunha. Vinicius is the Farm Solutions Coordinator for AGCO South America. He is leading the Agronomy & Farm Solutions efforts and seeking to help farmers to reach high yielding crops by better use of data, machinery and technology. Connect with Vinicius on Twitter at @vinicius_scunha or on LinkedIn at https://br.linkedin.com/in/vinícius-dos-santos-cunha-384191b8

Reflecting on the 2019 Growing Season – AGCO Crop Tour

 

As many U.S. farmers work to complete what looks to be an extended corn harvest, it’s a good time to reflect what we observed in our 2019 AGCO Crop Tour plots as we prepare to analyze our harvest results. In fact, harvest time is a good opportunity for farmers to evaluate plant spacing and other indicators of planting success beyond bushels going into the cart.

It may go without saying, but 2019 has been an abnormal year. Excessive rainfall and cold weather patterns this spring led to delayed planting for most farmers across the Midwest, and weather challenges were season-long for many of us. In the last decade, farmers have experienced extreme weather patterns on both ends of the spectrum, including, in recent memory, the major widespread drought of 2012 and now the major rainfall in 2019.

While we can’t control these extreme weather patterns, one thing we can do is ensure that we are making the correct management decisions to help our crops withstand some of these major environmental stresses as best we can. So much of that starts at planting – making sure that are plants are properly singulated and evenly spaced, planted at a consistent depth and into consistent moisture for uniform emergence, with a solid soil fertility plan, good soil and residue management, and minimal compaction. These are some of things that we can control to minimize stress and help our plants tolerate stressful conditions.

So, in spite of – and perhaps because of – an abnormal year with tough conditions, conducting Crop Tour plots in several states produced valuable information and lessons to use next season and beyond to get planting right.

Key Agronomic Factors Noted During Crop Tour 2019

Here are some of the agronomic conditions we observed in the Crop Tour plots, once we got them planted and growing:

• Imbibitional chilling injury and prolonged saturated soil conditions reduced stands in early planted trials.
  • In some of our earlier planted trials, including in Ohio and Kentucky, overall plant stands were reduced from cold soil temperatures and prolonged saturated soil conditions. Shortly after planting, temperatures fell below 50 degrees, causing seeds to imbibe cold water that resulted in seedling death.
  • Lessons: Avoid planting into cold soils, but also pay attention to future forecasts, and make sure that daily temperatures are trending upward and not downward.
• Shallow root development was noted in most Crop Tour field trials this year.
  • At a majority of our crop tour locations, overall shallow root development was a common theme. The shallow root development was likely caused by compaction created from the tillage tool, but also from planting when too wet.
  • Sidewall compaction and smaller roots systems were also noted where the plot protocol called for planter settings with too much downforce.
  • Lessons:
    • The important thing to note here is that farmers should wait to do field operations (tillage and planting) when soil conditions are fit, even if that means not planting early. No one will argue that timely planting is not important; however, there are several other things that will determine yield throughout the season besides just planting date. High yields can still be grown even with later planting.
    • One of the biggest ways to allow plants to tolerate stress is to ensure a healthy root system. Even though compaction severely stunted root systems this year, weather conditions in most parts of the country stayed wet, and so moisture stress (from drought) never became a widespread issue because of the shallow root systems. However, N uptake later in the season was likely a yield-limiting factor, as nitrate-N leached below the shallow root systems

 

• Stressful growing conditions led to ear “tip-back.”
  • At most locations, kernel abortion at the tip resulted in ears not fully developing kernels all the way to the outer ends. There are several factors that could have attributed to this. Heat stress around pollination and after likely caused some kernels at the top to abort. Shallow root systems caused by compaction earlier in the year and reduced nutrient uptake could have caused more kernels to abort at the tip of the ear than usual.
  • Lessons: Again, give corn a strong start by avoiding compaction from tilling and/or planting in wet conditions, if at all possible. Even spacing and singulation plus proper planting depth and downforce all help grow strong roots and fuller ears.

 

Observational Results of Different Treatments

In this fourth year of the AGCO Crop Tour Program, we continued to compare planting depth, downforce, singulation, seed spacing and other factors in our side-by-side trial plots. Here are some early observations.

• Even weight distribution across the planter bar was important to avoid pinch rows, which:
  • Especially occurred in plots with too much down force
  • Were also caused by planting when conditions were too wet
• Better seed-to-soil contact with Keeton Seed Firmers helped to:
  • Avoid air pockets around seed
  • Achieve more rapid and uniform germination
• Skips and doubles impacted kernel development.
  • With all of the stressful conditions that plants already had to endure this year, poor singulation and uneven plant spacing exacerbated kernel-development and ear-fill problems. That is why it’s important to make sure seeds are properly singulated and consistently spaced.

 

 

Planting Goals, and Things You Can Still Check During Harvest

A successful corn crop requires hitting these goals at planting:

• Precise singulation
• Consistent seed spacing
• Proper planting depth into consistent moisture
• A clean furrow

It’s important to achieve all factors of the planting process to set the stage for a successful crop. All your seeds could be perfectly singulated and spaced in a clean furrow, but if they’re not planted at the right depth into consistent moisture, uneven emergence is going to limit yield. Similarly, if you get the depth and moisture right, but have a lot of skips and doubles and uneven spacing, yield will take a hit.

You can check that for yourself this fall during corn harvest. A simple exercise is to go out into areas of the field and check your singulation and plant spacing and observe how that’s affecting ear size. Once the combine operator has cut a strip into the field, have someone go to an exposed row mid-field and check for singulation and plant spacing. Lay a tape measure down and, in 17 feet, 5 inches of row (equivalent to 1,000th of an acre), see if the corn plants are equal inches apart at your intended plant spacing. Count the numbers of skips and doubles, and check the ear size and quality of those plants. Repeat in a couple of different areas of the field.

If you find more variation than you want, consider making adjustments in settings for next year or even updating your planter technologies to improve planting consistency, and therefore your yield and return on investment.

Conclusion

Once we have all of the Crop Tour plots harvested and the data analyzed, we’ll report on how the factors in and out of our control affected yield. Scouting and general observations are important when evaluating different methods and treatments, but as always, the proof is in the yield data.

For additional tips and findings from our Crop Tour activities around the globe, click here: http://stageblog.agcocorp.com/crop-care/

 

Written by: Jason Lee, North America Agronomy and Farm Solutions Specialist, Global Product Management. Connect with Jason on https://www.linkedin.com/in/jason-lee-357b8bab/.