A real-time view of planter performance enables Christopher Hudson to quickly address singulation problems or other issues with any of the 48 row units of their 80-foot-wide planter.
from the same generation that grew up embracing technology, they bounce ideas off one another. More often than not, Christopher says his conversations with Zimmer- man will focus on the next precision farming innovation, rather than ques- tions about a problematic switch or how to calibrate his yield monitor. “There’s not that generational gap and we’re speaking the same language, so that allows for some leeway with him on how we manage our precision operation,”
Christopher says. “The
reins are loosened a bit, but obviously if something goes wrong, it’s our prob- lem at the end of the day. He’s busy, so with what we’ve learned over the years, I try not to call him until I’m dead in the water.”
Making a Commitment
For the Hudsons, it all comes down to more information, more accurate infor- mation and better access to information. Three decades of continuous no-till
has improved their soil, and precision agriculture techniques have positioned them to take advantage of that as well as advanced seed genetics and a grow-
loosened a bit with our dealer support, but obviously if something goes wrong, it’s our problem at the end of the day…
“
ing knowledge base. It does require a significant commit- ment, however.
”
“I’m sure there are instances where precision farming techniques save us time but, all in all, it requires us to in-
040 PRECISION FARMING DEALER ••••• 2013 The reins are
vest more time because we have to do something with all the data we gather — there’s no point in having it if it isn’t going to be used to make better deci- sions,” Christopher says. “I can’t say the new technologies make it easier to grow corn, because it definitely adds another layer of management. “I would say precision farming makes it easier to do a better job of growing corn and, for me, it makes farming a lot more interesting.” He also points out that precise farm management demands a time com- mitment to adapting new technology to the Hudson’s crop production sys- tem and fine tuning to get the results they’re after. “While precision farming advance- ments will aid our operation in ways unimaginable today,” he says, “I expect that advancements will help us grow larger crops from better planted, more advanced hybrids with less labor in the future — if we could only get Mother Nature to cooperate.”
PHOTO COURTESY OF THE MOSAIC CO.
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