John Arrell set up Sixty-5 Technologies to develop a range of GPS guidance and data management apps for grassland farmers. He has found it is not without challenges but is enjoying success in providing solutions for contractors.

He said: “The biggest resource they have on their farm is their fields, but grass is not regarded or treated as a crop. The machines they use to manage grass are often seen as a necessary evil and are often regarded as a cost rather than a benefit – a completely opposite mindset to tillage farmers.”

All farmers know they have to save on inputs such as fertiliser and find ways to be more profitable. It comes down to mindset. Many don’t have the patience to sit at the gate to set a piece of technology up or learn how to follow lights on a GPS light bar or set out virtual tramlines in a field.

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Sixty-5 was set up to address this challenge. It provides information on where a farmer should drive in relation to where he or she has already driven. To make the solutions simple to adopt, inexpensive and future-proof Sixty-5 produced an app for 7in android tablets connected to an external GPS receiver for accuracy.

“We made the operation as simple as we could. On opening the app the farmer confirms the width he wants to works at and presses a start button in the centre of the screen. That’s it,” said John.

The app produces a 3D representation of the field, showing treated areas, the predicted path and where to drive to ensure the full width of the machine is utilised. The app records the operation as a map and syncs this to the cloud. This data is then shown on the Sixty-5 farm management portal, with the option in the future to link to other management platforms.

Focusing on contractors

One common remark John received from contractors was that they were so busy in peak times that they knew jobs were not being recorded. The big benefit of using the system is that it gives accurate areas, full-width machine utilisation and production of area maps overlaid on Google earth.

John said: “We are able to use these maps for billing support. With the data collected in the field we wrap this up into a complete agri-contractor online management system enabling them to manage all their operations. ”

For farmers, the Sixty-5 Guidance and Mapping App (GM65) comes with 7in Android tablet, associated cables and window suction mount (RAM), Novatel GPS/Glonass Ag-Star satellite receiver giving accuracy of +/- 15cm and free access to Sixty-5 basic farmer portal. It costs €1,499 plus VAT. The Sixty-5 Guidance and Mapping Contractor App (AC65) contains the same hardware with the addition of data gateway and machine connection kit.

The contractor management portal costs €2,045 plus VAT, plus €130/month for the whole management package that includes time and piece work recording.

See www.sixty-5.com.

Hands-free control of all your machines by Kverneland

Kverneland Group is developing a software application which enables hands-free control of all Kverneland and Vicon ISOBUS machines and terminals. With IsoMatch Voice Control, Kverneland claims that the farmer can give voice commands to his/her phone which will enable machine operation according to needs.

The number of features and processes which need to be viewed and controlled with precision farming machines is increasing. The farmer needs easy control while assuring safety when working in the field with machines. This becomes more challenging as precision farming evolves. The farmer needs to control the machine, terminal, steering and ensure safe operation at the same time.

Kverneland believes that the solution is IsoMatch VoiceControl. Using the system, the farmer can configure various machines and terminal commands on a smartphone and enable the functions by simply saying the commands into a Bluetooth headset or speaker. The machine and terminal react accordingly, giving the farmer the possibility to view and control his tasks in a much better way.

Kverneland claims that hands-free operation of the machine and all terminal features has clear benefits. The farmer can ensure safety by focusing attention on the work without the need to look and operate the terminal. This reduces fatigue and increases comfort.

Kverneland’s IsoMatch Tellus terminal has passed the Agricultural Industry Electronics Foundation (AEF) certification test for ISOBUS compatibility. Linking the IsoMatch Tellus to all ISOBUS machines means there is no longer need for a separate terminal for each machine. Just step into the tractor, switch on the power button and go. The terminal brings the implement and its functions automatically into view.

Using this system Kverneland is operating its butterfly mower combination with the joystick control integrated into the tractor. For the machine operator it is simply a matter of connecting the mower onto the tractor and then plug in the ISOBUS cable.

Amazone is using its AmaSpot to save pesticide use

Fertiliser and sprayer machine company Amazone has joined forces with Agrotop and Rometron to develop AmaSpot, which is claimed to be a sensor-nozzle system that reduces spray rates in crop protection. By combining a range of individual technologies and integrating them into Amazone’s sprayers, Amazone claims that the AmaSpot system is the first to minimise application rates in European conditions.

The system detects green plants against the soil background, and is then able to provide localised application, giving a saving of between 20% and 80% on the chemicals.