Feed pad with rubber matting hailed as game changer
For Otago farmers Michelle and Rogan Borrie, a newly constructed feed pad on one of their three farms has been a game changer.
Under the agreement, farmers will have the ability to take data from John Deere Operations Center and seamlessly share it with PCT Agcloud, providing further automated insights into protein and yield for grain growers.
The agreement gives John Deere customers access to PCT Agcloud advanced analysis tool Protein Pro. This move formalises and expands the relationship that John Deere and PCT Agcloud have shared for several years.
JD Australia and New Zealand production systems manager Ben Kelly says the relationship will automate the delivery of key insights to grain producers that can be acted upon quickly – to generate real outcomes in the field.
“Our global ambition is to improve profitability and sustainability for farmers. This agreement delivers by providing more automated insights growers can use to inform their management decisions and action in the field,” he explains.
“The partnership works well because JD has developed accurate and reliable sensors on our equipment to collect data and PCT Agcloud offers precise and advanced analysis tools.”
For customers who have purchased a HarvestLab 3000 Protein Sensor, PCT Agcloud’s Protein Pro uses protein and yield data to create a nitrogen removal map in Operations Center. Growers and agronomists can then create prescription maps for nitrogen or other nutrients – as well as manage protein and yield to match soil capability in future seasons, using protein to maximise profitability and minimise environmental impacts.
“Nitrogen costs have increased markedly for farmers over the past few years and is also one of the highest contributors to on-farm emissions,” Kelly adds.
“So, the partnership will help customers optimise nitrogen to maximise crop potential and profits, while also being more sustainable with their nitrogen use.”
PCT Agcloud general manager, Andrew Smart, says the company has been continuously developing advanced analytics and solutions for Australian and NZ farmers for more than 10 years, with a focus on making the technology easier to use.
He believes the partnership with John Deere will now make these solutions more widely accessible to all growers, via Operations Center.
“We see automated insights as an important part of day-to-day decision making. Our job is to develop localised data sets and insights for each customer to create their ‘special sauce’.”
Customers will remain in full control of their data. John Deere says it understands that farmers often need to share data with other business partners and trusted advisors. The company offers the ability for this information to be shared, but only if the customer approves it.
