Even though we are all still working to get this year’s crops out of the field and into storage, don’t forget about preparations for next year’s crops too. Remember that precision agriculture technology and AMS products can help make the most of your machinery and input dollars by achieving unparalleled efficiency in the field. This efficiency - in turn - provides increased profitability for your operation, makes your life easier, and reduces your risk exposure.

Planter Features/Row Command: With the anticipated pricing of stacked genetics in various seeds for 2010, it will be critical to accurately control placement of those seeds to maximize genetic potential and avoid “wasting” seed by over-planting at headland areas. SeedStar 2 and Row Command packages were introduced in 2009 JD row crop planters allowing new planter monitoring features and on/off control of planter row units for increased seeding efficiency. This feature worked similarly to the Tru-Count air clutch option that was introduced in 2008, but operates electrically instead of pneumatically. If you have a 2010 planter on order and are not completely confident that you have GPS automated on/off seeding control capability at the row units, please see your salesperson immediately. If you have been considering updating planters but haven’t placed an order, this option and associated cost savings may help make the decision for you. This functionality is only available on 2009 and 2010 planters from the factory, but retrofit kits for some late-model planters are also available. Talk with your salesperson about details and pricing to take advantage of Row Command efficiency and SeedStar 2. Row Comand does not require a GS2 Rate Controller, but does use a GS2 display, iTC receiver and Swath Control Pro (SCP) activation for full functionality.

GS2 Rate Controller (GRC): The GRC is an excellent tool which allows control of input applications to be interfaced through the GS2 display while performing guidance and documentation procedures. It also leverages more accurate placement of inputs with sectional or individual row on/off control to avoid over-application when combined with a SCP activation. The GRC can be used on fertilizer machines, planters, or sprayers depending on the configuration of plumbing and control system being utilized. If you have a SeedStar Gen 2 planter, the GRC is an excellent option to combine with Tru-Count seed meter clutches to achieve the seeding efficiencies described above. With Deere’s recent partnership with Raven Industries, it is now even easier to interface your GS2 display with Raven control systems. I would encourage you to look at the cost savings opportunity in doing sectional control of your fertilizer and spraying operations with a GRC and SCP activation. Your local salesperson or AMS Specialist can assist with compatibility and ordering questions.

AT Transition: For those customers who have been running AT via an “original” GSD4 display and mobile processor – please read on. We have been transitioning many folks from GSD4 to GS2 2600 displays for guidance and documentation operations since 2006. The AT portion of this transition allowed them to move their purchased AT activation from the “original” keycard to the 2600 display with just a transfer process and a $250 fee. Effective April 1, 2010, this transition program will come to an end. Both displays and AT activations will continue to operate and be supported by our dealership and Deere and this option may be adequate for some customers. However, if there would be an issue past the above date with regard to the GSD4 AT license (keycard) – the customer would have to repurchase the AT activation at that time and apply it to a current display. Therefore, we are encouraging customers to make a decision about their future AMS plans to determine the course they would like to take. This decision needs to be made prior to December 31, 2009 as the new display must be ordered prior to that date and the transfer process must be complete prior to April 1, 2010.

AMS Support Agreements: With technology becoming more and more integrated in today’s agricultural practices, it is necessary for it to perform reliably at any time your field work needs to be completed. We feel strongly that superior support for these products and your precision agriculture operation is paramount in making this happen and have put the resources, training, and support structure in place to achieve this goal. I would strongly encourage you to consider taking advantage of this resource by getting signed up for an AMS support agreement – it will allow you access to our AMS staff throughout the year to help ensure your hardware, software, data and equipment is operational at all critical times. For a nominal annual fee - you will be able to fix your costs for local technical assistance, be prepared for those critical field times, and receive timely support if an issue should arise. It will also ensure access to the customer training events that we provide to utilize this technology. Please see your salesperson or AMS Specialist for pricing and details of this program.