PRECISION AGRICULTURE DIRECTORY

Rice growers making the most of their precision agriculture equipment

List of who to call for help in precision agriculture This document has been developed as part of the project PRJ- 00926 Rice Extension supported by the Rural Industries Research and Development Corporation.

Acknowledgments:

These case studies are only possible due to the enthusiastic input from the growers and consultants. Rice Extension thanks and acknowledges the time given by: • Nathan Pate, • Michael and Bernadette Agosta, Finley • Martin & Suzanne Robertson, “Nyora”, • Alan and Tanya Clark, Tocumwal • Murray & Ange Urquhart, “The Ranch”, Finely • David & Rick Bryce, Kobar Farming Company, Jerilderie • Andrew Whitlock, Precision Agriculture Pty Ltd

Published July 2016

Disclaimer: The information contained in this publication is intended for general use to assist public knowledge and discussion and to help improve the development of sustainable regions. You must not rely on any information contained in this publication without taking specialist advice relevant to your particular circumstances. Recognising that some of the information in this document is provided by third parties, the authors and the publisher take no responsibility for the accuracy, currency, reliability and correctness of any information included in the document provided by third parties.

Contact the Rice Extension Team: Troy Mauger- Rice Extension, Murray Valley. 0417 375 168 [email protected] Gae Plunkett-Rice Extension Coordinator, Murrumbidgee. 0419 790 019 [email protected] Leah Garnett- Rice Extension, Murrumbidgee. 0455 558 035 [email protected]

Directory of who to call:

Directory of who to call:

You are not alone in thinking that it is difficult to find your way through the minefield of PA! It became apparent to the Rice Extension team and the ‘Precision Agriculture in Rice Production’ project led by Andrew Whitlock of Precision Agriculture Pty Ltd. that the biggest impediment to adopting PA in rice is to know where and how to start!

PA problems are varied and can involve yield monitors, prescription maps, variable rate spreaders and sectional control on spreaders or sprayers and connectivity. It is a common perception that you need the same branded equipment and expensive new equipment to successfully implement PA in rice farming systems. It is also common for growers not to realise the PA potential of their current equipment that can be unlocked for a subscription fee rather than buying new equipment.

In the following table, look up your equipment type and brand to find out the contact details of the best person to call to help you work through your PA problem.

We would like to grow the list. If you are a PA service provider and wish to be included contact Rice Extension.

“We strive to deliver a range of tools to help you turn data into information & ultimately knowledge that improves your bottom line. Anything else is just ‘Recreational Data Collection!” Thane Pringle Manufacturer Equipment Contact Person Phone Email / Website Location /Company /Services Consultants

Experienced PA operator Nathan Pate 0427 174 903 [email protected] Tocumwal

Digital mapping Advanced Soil ken services including Ken Bates 03 5881 3459 Mapping(ASM) EM31 and EM 38. @advancedsoilmapping.com.au Data management & Supply & support Ag [email protected] Jerilderie Agritek Justin Mortlock 0400 611 291 agritekaustralia.com.au Leader products Data analysis, VR prescription B.R. and C Agencies Alleena Burger 0428 278 277 [email protected] Barham maps & drone imagery service Variable rate maps, Crop-Rite Pty Ltd soil testing & Ian Delmenico 0429 330 856 [email protected] Swan Hill prescription maps Soil testing & mapping using a Veris machine Deni Fertilisers Lance Gardiner 0427 267 222 [email protected] Deniliquin in collaboration with Landmark Deniliquin Data analysis, crop imagery services, variable rate Heath McWhirter 0428 386393 [email protected] Elders Grith Grith prescriptions, soil Charles Morgan 0419 853786 [email protected] sampling, EM & elevation surveys Data analysis, variable rate applications with a thane@independent Independent spreader, soil testing, Thane Pringle precisionag.com.au Precision Ag drone operating services 0418 681 568 & imagery. preag.com.au iSOYL provider. pH and soil mapping 0407 432 710 Matt Tubb [email protected] Landmark Deniliquin analysis & development 03 5881 1777 [email protected] Deniliquin of prescription maps David Toohey 0427 515 179 EM31 & 38 surveys using Trimble Pro XRS Lloyd Angove Global Positioning [email protected] Soil Surveying & Lloyd Angove (03) 5883 1013 System– Sub Metre angovedrilling.com.au Finley Drilling Pty Ltd 0428 575 029 Accuracy & Arcview GIS – Mapping Software Drones, data management, NorAg Soil testing (including Mark Norvall 0438 527 125 [email protected] Leeton EM38 & deep soil, PA monitoring & mapping Digital farm maps, satellite imagery, andrew@ yield data processing, precisionagriculture.com.au Precision Agriculture Andrew Whitlock 0458 312 589 Ballarat Pty Ltd AB guidance line precisionagriculture.com management & .au/index.php digitising cut & ll maps

Grid soil mapping charleton (pH, P, K & N), EM38 Precision Agriculture @precisionagriculture.com.au & elevation mapping, Charleton Glenn 0476 666 020 Pty Ltd shallow and deep core precisionagriculture.com soil sampling .au/index.php Manufacturer Equipment Contact Person Phone Email / Website Location /Company /Services Precision Ag planning & data brendan@ Precision Agriculture management, variable precisionagriculture.com.au rate application maps Brendan Torpy 0432 203 715 Ballarat Pty Ltd precisionagriculture.com (including hardware .au/index.php support) Crop imagery, Steve Cave data interpolation, 0428 661 331 Brett Hay [email protected] VR prescription, 0428 004 033 Rawlinson Murray Dempsey [email protected] Gri th & management zone 0418 799 100 and Brown Will Brain [email protected] & yield maps, 0437 828 794 [email protected] Lachlan Vogan eld support 0407 628 070 Rice Research Experienced Drone Ben Heaslip 0408 371 037 [email protected] Jerilderie Australia operator Mapping, crop imaging, data processing & [email protected] Wagga Terrabyte Services John Medway 0427 254 760 electromagnetic surveys. terrabyte.net.au/index.htm Wagga Data analysis, crop imagery services, James Mann 0427 566 673 [email protected] Yenda, Yenda Producers Coop variable rate Peter Hill 0427 566 650 [email protected] Gri th & prescriptions, Sam McGrath 0427 566 653 [email protected] Leeton eld mapping. Machinery and software support Bogballe VRT for Bogballe only Mark Bastian 0429 773 887 [email protected] Ballarat andrewg@codemomachinery. Codemos CNH Trimble support Andrew Gulloni 02 6962 6244 com.au Gri th codemomachinery.com.au Australia wide support for Farm Works 03 52861112 03 8680 7222 [email protected] Farming IT software computer Martin and Jo Peters Meredith, program. Licensed (Software farmingit.com.au Vic UAV operators. support hotline) Support of Trimble auto steer, application control, Greg Woolner 0427 533 385 [email protected] Intersales CIH yield monitoring, variable Leeton rate control & land Bryce Martyn 0447 533 369 intersales.com.au leveling height control. Machine Support & issc@ Optimisation, PA (02) 5924 5111 hutcheonandpearce.com.au John Deere / Data Management, TECSight Dept, 0418 131 755 Wagga Hutcheon & Pearce Customised PA Andrew Watt hutcheonandpearce.com.au Consultancy Services /technology-solutions/tecsight/ Ag Leader Geo Schaefer gschaefer@seran.com.au Seran Topcon 0427 644 766 seranagpro.com.au Gri th Trimble Solutions & GPS Agricultural Services Brad Parker 0448 121 568 SST GPS including Auto steer, [email protected] Jerilderie (Sales/Reseller 03 5886 0051 Application control,yield Manager) sstgps.com.au/wp/ monitoring & variable rate control Aerial Survey [email protected] John Fagan 03 5881 3374 Deniliquin CAF Consulting Mapping & monitoring cafconsulting.com.au using UAVs For machine control including steering,yield Ben Gardener [email protected] Topcon monitors mapping, seeding, 0448 122 883 spreading, data collecting, (Regional manager) TopconPositioning.com spraying. Topcon isn’t brand aligned.

Please note this is not a complete list. The provider, product and trade names in this publication are supplied on the understanding that no preference between providers, products or trade names is intended and their inclusion in this publication does not imply endorsement. How five growers improved their PA capabilities

Rice Extension commissioned a pilot project – Increasing the Adoption of PA – where we identified five rice growers in the Murray Valley who were keen to improve their PA skills and capabilities and utilise their PA capable machinery. We engaged experienced users (primarily Nathan Pate1) and other PA experts and connected them to growers to assist them to form a PA plan.

Together they discussed their aims and objectives of participating in the pilot project. They overcame many barriers in utilising their current equipment: how to download yield maps, setup prescription rate maps and apply variable rate fertiliser, lime and seed.

A key message from the pilot program is that PA does not have to be complicated and there are simple ways to start implementing this technology. Systems of all brands can now work together through advances in programs, data communication and specialised equipment. There are a growing number of people who can assist you develop a system and procedures that will see you reaping the rewards of PA.

This project resulted in all case study growers utilising their current equipment more effectively. They are extracting valuable data from their crops and out of their equipment to make informed decisions to increase productivity and profitability by matching inputs to outputs. The project demonstrated that the technology around PA, in particular the connectivity of different brands of equipment is improving at a rapid rate. We have seen an increase in support of PA from manufacturers, with specialists and commercial companies setting up specialised divisions to sup- port the industry.

Each of the growers is now more PA informed and are wondering why they didn’t act earlier. They now know that their previous perceptions were incorrect: • Adopting PA is not expensive, cost can be minimal • Different brands of equipment can be compatible • Existing equipment can be utilised • There are people who can assist; support is available for adopting PA.

To implement PA successfully: • Time must be allocated and dedicated to PA. • If you don’t have the time, advisors can be employed at economical rates • Take advantage of any training offered • Work with a network of farmers using the equipment

“Ultimately the farmer needs to take control to know how it works and who to contact when it isn’t working.” Nathan Pate

“So you the farmer has to be motivated to chase things up or pay a consultant or your trusted advisor to do this on your behalf” Nathan Pate 1Nathan Pate with his wife Leah and 3 children farm 3500 acres at “Oakbank”, which is 5 km north of Tocumwal. Nathan has been involved in PA since 2002 using a local machinery dealer, James Chellew, as one of the key sources of information on what was then cutting edge technology. In 2002, Nathan invested in an airseeder with the ability to apply seed and fertiliser using prescription maps and variable rate technology. Then in 2004, Nathan invested in sub-metre auto steer. After a number of years using the sub- metre auto steer, Nathan could see the benefits of its accuracy and the year-to-year repeatability, so he upgraded to a 2cm RTK auto steer system.

Nathan Pate sharing his PA experiences at Case Study 1: Setting up Variable Rate

Michael and Bernadette Agosta, Finley

Background: Mick was intrigued by talking to other farmers who had started going down the PA path and he was looking for the next opportunity to improve productivity and profitability. Mick has been using steering guidance systems for many years but was motivated to take the next step into PA when he purchased a new variable rate spreader. He previously had the ability to vary his rates manually but wanted to start uploading prescription maps to his spreader controller.

Aims: 1. To drill fertilisers at variable rates according to a prescription map using a Gason air cart, that is controlled by a Farmscan 3500 variable rate control (VRC) monitor, with a Trimble 750 GPS on the tractor.

2. To spread variable fertiliser rates according to the prescription map using the Kuhn fertiliser spreader that is controlled by a QuantRon E–2 monitor with the John Deere (JD) Green Star 3 (GSR3) guidance system and 2630 display monitor.

Solutions: 1. A good place to start is to find the correct model numbers by looking in the operator’s manual, which shows you where to find the names, numbers and software versions. Mick didn’t have the manuals (which may be the case with older or second hand equipment), so a Google search for Trimble 750 GPS and Farmscan 3500 VRC monitor provided operators’ manuals and a list of dealers. If you can’t find a manual then contact the dealer and ask if they have had any experience with your PA equipment.From the information in the manual it was determined that Mick needed to purchase a connecting cable to connect the Trimble 750GPS to the Farmscan 3500 monitor.

This lead gives the Farmscan monitor the position co-ordinates (latitude & longitude), which enables the adjustment on the seeder to take place according to the location of the Gason air cart in the field on the prescription map.

The prescription map of the rates was loaded into the Farmscan monitor by inserting the data card loaded from the Farmworks computer program on the desktop computer. With the cable connected the variable rate technology was initiated. Now the Farmscan spreader adjusts the fertiliser output rate to as per the prescription map.

Nathan says, “If all else fails ask for the manufacturer’s head office number and talk to their service department”.

2. The local Kuhn dealer, in this case Hutcheon & Pearce, Finley, was contacted. They had on hand a sales catalogue for the Kuhn spreader, which had a step by step guide and included the part numbers required.

A cable was purchased to connect the guidance system to the spreader. In this case, to get the spreader applying variable rates, the prescription map of the variable rates needed to be created in the APEX software program on a desktop computer and then loaded onto a memory stick. These prescriptions were then uploaded from the memory stick when it was inserted into the JD GS3 screen. The variable rate map is now sent from the JD GS3 screen via the cable to the Kuhn QuantRon E–2 monitor. As the tractor drives past a position in the field that has a rate change on the prescription map, the fertiliser application rate is adjusted to suit.

Outcomes: Both the Gason air cart and Kuhn spreader have now been set up with little expense (less than $1000 each) and some phone calls. Mick is very happy with the performance of both machines even though they are different brands.

“Once Mick & Chris (employee) saw how easy it was, they took control and organised everything.” Nathan said, “The farmer needs to take control to know how it works and who to contact when it isn’t working.”

525.00 450.00 375.00 300.00

A variable rate nitrogen prescription rate map for rice in paddock K1 and K2 The variable rates were applied via the Kuhn spreader.

JD GS3 screen now connected to the Mick is happy to have variable rate application Mick sprays and spreads on the same AB Kuhn spreader through his Quantron lines which are 36metrs wide Case Study 2: Collecting yield maps and applying variable rates

Martin & Suzanne Robertson, “Nyora”, Jerilderie.

Background With the next generation not far away from coming back on the farm, Martin is keen to implement PA into his business, not only as an attraction to his children but to increase profitability. “Efficiency gains in farming are incremental these days”, Martin said. “PA will be one part of keeping an eye on the performance of the cut areas of the paddocks”. The Robertson’s first dabbled in PA with the purchase of a ‘light bar’ guidance system in the early 2000’s. They have since purchased equipment with PA capabilities but they wished to incorporate them into a holistic PA program.

Aims: 1. To yield map and have steering guidance when using a Shelbourne stripper front and a canola pick up front on their John Deere 9670STS harvester, which only worked with their John Deere front. 2. To use the APEX program to view and examine yield maps of different crops and paddocks. 3. To set up the Bogballe EXW II Trend spreader to apply prescription variable rates using the John Deere 2600/2630 GPS for spray/spread guidance. 4. To determine requirements for the DBS Auseeder with a Topcon X20 monitor to sow variable rates.

Solutions: 1. To record yield when different fronts were attached to the harvester, Nathan purchased two trip wires from the local John Deere dealer. The trip wires fit into the electric coupler when each different front is attached. Using the John Deere manual, Nathan helped Jeremy (Martin’s son) calibrate the JD 9670 yield monitor and turn yield mapping off when the header front is lifted for turning and travelling.

Cost: $350-$400 for the trip wire for each front.

2. John Deere APEX software was downloaded onto the desktop computer from the Stellar Support website: https://www.deere.com/en_US/services_and_support/technology-solutions/ stellarsupport/stellarsupport_home.page The APEX program was activated through their local John Deere dealer. Harvest maps were downloaded from the header into the APEX program.

Total cost was $830 for the APEX program.

Martin and Jeremy found using the APEX software was initially difficult. This was overcome with some training and practice. Martin suggests the following tips: • Name all paddocks correctly. If paddocks have been entered into a program more than once but with a slightly different name (e.g. Corella 72 instead of C72), you need to ‘merge’ these paddocks on the program to make it easier for operators. • For accurate yield mapping, make sure all paddocks have an accurate boundary recorded in the JD monitor. • Jeremy also noted, ‘It is important to spend time looking at the data on a regular basis to become familiar with the program to get the most out of PA’. 3. The Bogballe spreader required a cable to connect the Bogballe monitor to the JD monitor to read the prescription map. This was available at the local Bogballe dealership. Cost: $140. The Bogballe spreader hasn’t been upgraded yet as the monitor needs rewiring to the actuator and then it will be part of the system. 4. The DBS Auseeder with the Topcon X20 display needed a cable to output GPS position. To draw the prescription map, another mapping program called Farmworks was required because APEX isn’t compatible with the Topcon X20 monitor. There are alternative mapping programs available, such as PAM. The prescription from Farmworks could then be loaded into the Topcon X20.

Cost: $140 for cabling and $950 for the Farmworks software program.

The DBS Auseeder isn’t upgraded at this stage, as the Robertson’s prefer to variable rate via the Bogballe spreader and use liquid fertilisers through the boom spray. The cost wasn’t a factor but the time to learn to use two software programs was a deterrent.

Outcomes: For an estimated capital total outlay of $2460 on equipment and software the Robertson’s were able to achieve most of their aims and to plan when and how to address the rest. Nathan spent 7.5 hours consulting with the Robertson’s, researching and providing solutions. The huge hurdle predicted to implement a PA program, including recording and implementing VRT was, in reality, minor. The cost of the required software and cables will be small compared to the expected benefits of AP to the business in years to come. Martin and Jeremy attended group training sessions organised by Rice Extension to learn and practice setting up and using the PA equipment and software. This was followed up by a visit from Nathan to upload the 2015 rice maps from the harvester onto the APEX program and to familiarise them with the APEX program. The Robertson’s learnt it is important that all procedures are followed to ensure the yield data and quality information is collected.

“It is still a work in progress but we are closer than 12 months ago through participating in the ‘Adopting PA’ pilot program” Martin said.

The Robertson’s can now record yield maps from the monitor (pictured bottom right) after attaching a ‘trip wire’ to the John Deere harvester for the Shelbourne stripper front (pictured right).

Jeremy is generating valuable information from yield maps now he is The Shellbourne stripper front now monitoring yield familiar with the APEX program.

A more uniform yield was achieved in 2016 (map on right) after the application of variable rates of urea. JD yield monitor screen Case Study 3 - Different brands of equipment

Alan and Tanya Clark, Tocumwal

Background The barrier to Alan acting earlier was the challenge of connecting different brands of equipment and knowing who he could talk to about these challenges. Through this pilot project, Alan now has a plan in place to progress to adopting PA to analyse yield maps and use his guidance and monitoring systems more effectively.

Equipment: • Case tractor with Trimble 750 monitor (guidance system) • Massey Ferguson tractor with JD 1800 monitor • Gason airseeder • The harvest contractor uses a JD harvester and guidance system.

Aims: 1. Investigate the cost and modifications needed to convert an old belt spreader to be able to variable rate spread as part of his PA system 2. Investigate what changes are needed to apply variable rate sowing using the Gason airseeder with a Farmscan 3500 VRC monitor and APEX software program. 3. Investigate if the APEX software produces prescriptions that are able to be used in the Farmscan 3500 VRC monitor. 4. To do pH mapping and have the ability to spread lime according to the pH maps using variable rates.

Solutions: 1. The belt spreader can be converted to VRT and Alan is exploring the cost of making the conversion such as a dry rate controller and changing the belt drive to a hydraulic system rather than ground drive. Alan meanwhile has purchased a new Amazone Z-AM Ultra 3000 Litre capacity spreader to apply variable rate fertiliser. 2. The Farmworks program was used in this instance to make prescriptions for the Farmscan monitor to work with the Gason airseeder. Cost: $950 for Farmworks software or $1/ha for professional to provide the prescription map. To get the Gason airseeder to apply variable rate seeding: purchase and fit a GPS input lead and data card from the Gason airseeder to the Farmscan monitor. Cost: $200 for the lead and $750 for a formatted data card. Alan has purchased all the requirements for the Farmscan controller to make the Gason Airseeder variable rate ready although it hasn’t been used as a VRT seeder so far this season due to the need to get the winter crop sown before the rain. Scott Watkins, (Alan’s employee and a farmer himself) will complete the prescriptions for the variable rates using his Farmworks program. 3. Allan’s Apex software is not able to be used in the FarmScan monitor. 4. Contractors were available to do the pH mapping and produce a variable rate map that could be uploaded to the FarmScan monitor. The pH mapping and spreading were however completed in the 2016 summer by a contractor. The pH map defined zones requiring two different rates of lime across the field. These were applied by manually changing the rates in the different zones. Outcomes: Alan has made changes to unlock the potential of PA in his farming business with minimal cost to the business and minimal time spent with an advisor - just 3 hours. Time is currently the biggest impediment for Allan to implement all his aims. To get around this he has used contractors where it makes economic sense and purchased new VR equipment where it stacks up economically and fits in within his current work program.

A Grid pH map developed as a result of the grid soil sampling pH lime map

Precision Agriculture Pty Ltd out and about grid soil sampling for pH Case Study 4 – Controlled traffic and variable rate application

Murray & Ange Urquhart, “The Ranch”, Finely

Background Murray had been tinkering with the idea of adopting PA and Controlled Traffic Farming (CTF) for the 1000ha under his management (owned and leased) after seeing the opportunities on neighbouring properties. For the last four years, prior to participating in this pilot project, Trimble guidance systems were primarily used for auto steer and to collect yield maps. Murray was keen to do something with the information (maps) that he had been collecting and to get his equipment PA and CTF ready.

“Having Nathan as a resource during the project has helped enormously. His knowledge and experience certainly saved me a lot of time.” Murray said, “He has been there and done it before and is a great sounding board.”

Equipment: • Trimble 750 CFX GPS monitor. • Trimble 1000 FMX GPS monitor. • Farmworks view (free computer software program) • New Holland tractor for CTF & harvester which utilise the Trimble monitors

Aims: 1. To get sectional control on his Goldacres sprayer (Raven 4400 controller) 2. Investigate the cost to convert his Horwood Bagshaw air cart (Kee eagle monitor) to variable rate sowing. 3. Investigate what modifications need to be made to the relevant machinery to adopt a controlled traffic farming system (CTF). 4. Map pH levels on the farm for variable rate application of lime. 5. Investigate if his Kuhn spreader could be converted to a variable rate spreader.

Solutions: As Murray already owned Trimble GPS guidance systems, Nathan and Murray met with Trimble representatives, SST in Jerilderie. SST provided information to Murray and Nathan on Trimble options: 1. Adding section control using the Trimble Field IQ to his Goldacres sprayer required an investment of $3800. This was purchased. 2. Updating of the Horwood Bagshaw air cart to VRT required an investment of $10,000 to $14,000. Due to this high cost, Murray decided that he would prefer to eventually purchase a new air seeder. 3. Upgrading the existing guidance systems to RTK for better GPS accuracy so Murray could implement a controlled traffic system required an investment of $6000 to unlock the TKR screen on the existing Trimble guidance system plus $2,500 for the receiver and an annual fee subscription fee of $490. Murray could see how this added value & fitted with his longer term management objectives, so he went ahead with the investment in the RTK system. Once the guidance system was upgraded, the wheel base on the tractor had to be extended to the preferred width of three meters. Cotton reel spacers were fitted to the front wheels of the tractor that does the spraying and spreading to increase the wheel spacing. The back wheels were also adjusted out to 3 metre wheel tracks. It was found that the Farmworks software program that only had a demonstration license was inadequate to analyse the yield maps and perform the tasks that Murray needed. The Farmworks View was upgraded to Farmworks Mapping and activated. Cost for the Farmworks program $950. The next step was to download the harvest maps off the header into Farmworks, which included a telephone call to Andrew Whitlock from Precision Agriculture for some quick lessons on how to use Farmworks. All yield maps were then loaded and analysed using the Farmworks program by Murray. This allowed yield observations to be made and on farm trial data to be analysed. Software training was provided through the project and Murray attended a training session with other project participants. This training was led by Nathan Pate and Andrew Whitlock. The objective was to gain enough knowledge of the program to gain a level of confidence to understand harvest maps and be able to develop prescription maps. 4. The pH mapping was completed by a contractor (Precision Agriculture) and variable rates of lime were applied by a spreader contractor including 220 tonnes in 2015/16 summer. 5. Murray’s Kuhn 40 spreader is a base model with no in-cabin rate change capabilities (manual control) so the solution to convert the spreader to VRT is to manually vary the rates or to buy a new one. Murray is currently applying variable rates of fertiliser manually by identifying zones such as cut and fill zones.

Outcomes: For a modest capital outlay and 3 hours of Nathan Pate’s time, Murray now has a plan to achieve all of his aims as he has gathered enough information to make informed decisions about purchasing modifications and new equipment and software.

Murray and his Goldacres sprayer on 3 metre wheel spacing’s. Extension of the front axle to 3 metres using cotton reels.

3 metre wheel spacing’s with upgraded sectional control on Murray can now operate sectional control on his Goldacres Murrays Goldacres sprayer. sprayer using Trimble IQ. Case Study 5 – Making the most of equipment capabilities

David & Rick Bryce, Kobar Farming Company, Jerilderie

Background David and Rick wanted to create more value from the existing guidance and monitoring equipment that they currently own. “We were starting to update machinery after the drought and had recently purchased a 36 meter Croplands spray rig. The header had a 12 metre front and the guidance system was purchased over the last couple of years and primarily used for auto steer capabilities” David said. During the initial meeting with Nathan Pate, they identified simple steps to add more value from adopting PA. These steps became the aims of their project.

Equipment: • Trimble 750 GPS monitor • Trimble 1000 GPS monitor • Original Case software • Case harvester and tractors

Aims: 1. Investigate the cost of converting a ground driven Janke airseeder to a variable rate airseeder. 2. Investigate if the Case software can be used to analyse yield data and create variable rate prescriptions. 3. Get Case Harvester fitted with auto steer 4. Import the paper based cut & fill and pH maps into a mapping program so that variable rate prescriptions can be made utilising these data sets.

Solutions: 1. SST from Jerilderie was consulted to convert the Janke air cart to variable rate. The quote was approximately $10,000to purchase the actuators for the three bins and to set up the electric motors was a further $20,000. It was decided that it was too expensive to convert the Janke air cart to apply prescription variable rates. “After attending a spreader calibration day convened by Rice Extension we realised we needed to update our old spreader that was on an 18 metre spread pattern and not spreading evenly” David said. “So we bought a Kuhn VRT spreader to apply variable rate application and to ensure a uniform spread pattern over 36 metres”. “We also wanted to go to ISOBUS1 in the new spreader to reduce the number of monitors when buying new equipment” 2. CaseIH was contacted to determine the validity of the old Case software program. This program is no longer supported. The solution was to purchase the Farmworks software program at a cost of $950. David attended a Rice Extension training day at Finley as an introduction to using the Farmworks software around viewing and analysing data and preparing variable rate prescriptions. Rick also attended Rice Extension discussion days on PA to increase his knowledge and skill in PA. 3. The local Case dealer was contacted about options to install auto steer. A new receiver was purchased for the harvester so auto steer could be installed. The auto steer function was activated and updated on the original Case Pro 700 screen. Cost: $9000 4. The paper based copies of the maps were digitised by Precision Agriculture Pty Ltd. All yield maps were loaded onto the Farmworks program. David and Rick plan to do more in-depth analysis of their yield observations with the maps and the results of their on farm trial data. Outcomes: In the Bryce’s case there were larger capital investment required than the other case studies to achieve their aims, however, the time needed from Nathan Pate to assist the Bryce’s was very minimal – 8 hours in total. Planning their approach assisted them realise that the adoption of PA is not as hard as perceived.

“David has embraced this project wholeheartedly (in time spent on the solutions and financial commitments) and has got the most he can out of it. With time and experience he will be achieving all his PA business needs” Nathan Pate

1 ISOBUS is international standard technology with the primary goal to standardize the communication which takes place between tractors and implements while ensuring full compatibility of data transfer between the mobile systems and the office software used on the farm.This development was triggered by the fact that farmers often use tractors from one brand with implements from another supplier. Agricultural equipment manufacturers around the world have agreed on ISOBUS as the universal protocol for electronic communication between implements, tractors and computers.

David found the spreader calibration workshop very valuable. The Bryces header can now yield map when harvesting rice. For further information:

Nathan Pate - Experienced PA user, Tocumwal. 0427 174 903 [email protected]

Andrew Whitlock - PA consultant, Ballarat. 0458 312 589 [email protected]

The website link is http://www.precisionagriculture.com.au/index.php

PA-steps for farmers, training videos, Controlled Traffic farming, Satellite Imagery, Yield mapping, PA for research, calculators and podcasts.

Thane Pringle – PA Consultant, Yenda. 0418 681568 [email protected]

The website link is http://www.preag.com.au/

Sixteen years precision agriculture and agronomic experience in the MIA, extensive knowledge across software programs and hardware capability & compatibility.

Rice Extension Team:

Troy Mauger - Rice Extension, Murray Valley. 0417 375 168 [email protected] Gae Plunkett - Rice Extension Coordinator. 0419 790 019 [email protected] Leah Garnett - Rice Extension, Murrumbidgee. 0455 558 035 [email protected]

The website link is http://www.sunrice.com.au/corporate/grower-services/ - use your Grower login or authorised user login.