Smart farming the theme at Agritechnica 2011

Tuesday, November 1, 2011

Farm-slanted information technology, computer control and intelligent electronic integration between machines are the focus at this major machinery show, all with the aim of less downtime, more job efficiency and lower inputs all round

by NORMAN DUNN

Once again, the world of farm machinery approaches its biggest event – Agritechnica 2011 in Hanover, Germany – with 2,300 exhibitors from 46 countries presenting the latest in agricultural equipment. Bigger, wider, with more acre-eating capacity. These, of course, are the headlines at every Agritechnica, and most other farm shows.

But there's something different in the air this time around. Farm-slanted information technology, computer control and intelligent electronic integration between machines are taking up much more space.

The whole sector has even got a new name: "smart farming." At Agritechnica this November, the concept even has its own centre devoted to new field navigation systems, sensor technology and data management, as well as the already established site-specific applications of fertilizer and sprays.

With every major manufacturer accepting the so-called isobus compatibility standard, this means that the computer systems on board tractors can "speak to" and operate machinery from different producers. In fact, latest developments often mean it's the other way around; now sensors on machinery are measuring crop and yield, and electronically influencing tractor steering and speed in reaction.

Within the smart farming revolution are a series of new developments with big names in farm equipment creating their own versions of electronic logistic control, although in ways always compatible with others under the isobus standard. These mean that every journey from harvester to silage silo or grain store is analyzed. Traffic movements are honed down by computer, so that there's hardly a minute lost nor a litre of diesel fuel wasted.

One of the latest examples is the "i-Green" concept developed, incidentally, with an injection of German government cash equivalent to C$20 million and 24 partners from universities, state departments and industry throughout the country.

Most interested in the agricultural application of the concept tend to be farm contractors and custom operators because of the built-in opportunities for very precise fleet management.

Heinrich Wingels works for harvesting machinery manufacturer Krone, one of the major developers of this system in agriculture. "Our target is Internet-based technology that links the farm or contractor office with every single tractor and harvester involved in an operation. We also want each tractor driver to be aware, via cab monitor, where all other drivers and their machines are, and what they are doing."

First of all, explains Heinrich, the systems are already equipped with detailed field maps of Germany. And he reckons that these maps, showing farm tracks and even every gate into a field, will cover most of Europe by the end of 2012.

"They represent one of the keys for optimizing machinery movements," he explains. Every driver has access and not just the person at the main computer. The field is outlined and the shortest route to it is marked, bearing in mind the size of the machine. If it's too wide for the shortest route, then the computer automatically finds the next best way."

The drivers get their orders for each job electronically in the cab – for instance, where to start mowing or where the combine or silage harvester is waiting. Then, of course, satellite navigation also records every action and the time taken for it.

"This is ideal for a custom operator because it provides a continual electronic log on which to base his billing, and for full traceability of all crop harvested. And work can carry on through the night because the mapping system can also incorporate detailed aerial photographs that highlight every ditch, pool, pylon or any other field obstacle."

The researchers behind the concept have calculated that computer controlled navigation and logistics to this standard can have a silage harvesting machine working at full load more than 80 per cent of the time. The average efficiency of silage harvesting fleets in Germany has been calculated at 65 per cent, meaning the harvester is hanging around waiting for a silage wagon 35 per cent of the working day.  "And this is still good," reminds Heinrich. "The worst performers are only working the harvester 35 per cent of the time!" BF

Norman Dunn writes about European agriculture from Germany.