Utilizing Precision Planting with GPS on a Budget
Fairbank, IA|Mar 28, 2024
Background: We are a smaller older “hobby farm” looking to boost yields and make a move towards precision planting/gps farming to boost those yields. Some of our lowest yields were about 80bu/ac in our old limestoney rocky field (worst field)
Money is a problem when talking 10’s of thousands. We are very small time. less than 75 acres we have older equipment. Newest would be our 70’s 8430 tractor and gleaner F2 combine We’ve been spraying yearly post emergency with a nitrogen/herbicide mixture. I feel like that is appropriate and working just when it comes harvest time we aren’t seeing the return per acre.
we’ve done corn on corn with extensive tillage for the past few years. This is probably our last year before going back to hay next year.
Just picked up an ol 4 row JD 7000 planter and converted it to 30inch to match the combine head.
I’m wanting to make the jump to GPS as I feel precise seeding would increase our production and yield unlocking that potential profit we are leaving.
Question: What is a good setup for tractor (smaller open cab plant tractor) and what’s all needed to make the gps work from that standpoint? (Base station and a starfire etc?)
Answers (2):
Mar 30, 2024
Now a days you can get a bit older generation gps (3000 receiver John Deere) and a steering wheel kit installed I believe around 4-5000$ this would be great start without getting into crazy precision which can get expensive look online for a used unit or talk to ur John Deere dealer they may have an older unit on trade you could get cheap
Mar 28, 2024
If I were you I would reach out to someone like AgLeader. They are based in IA. We used their stuff for small plot research. Or maybe GK Tech in MN. I know folks at both and they maybe able to help. Just a thought.
You would need help being able to map your soils to see regions and that would help with seeding with regard to population.