Precision Ag Powers Efficiency at Farmleigh

Shayne and Alex Jones farm 430 hectares at Rangiatata, Canterbury, focusing on dairy support, a bit of crop, and calf grazing. They cultivate around 250-300 hectares of their own land annually, and another 250-300 hectares as part of their contracting work locally. 

Before working with Vantage, they had an older CFX system in their Puma tractor, which they bought second-hand. “It took forever to get on the line, wandered a lot, and often dropped the RTK signal. The farm’s location in a riverbed with lots of trees made it hard to get a reliable signal, and the CFX wasn’t unlocked to Glonass, which added to the frustration”.

“Vantage provided a solution by upgrading us to a new GFX-750 display for the Puma to solve our issues. We planned on moving the CFX to another machine but it didn’t cost much more to upgrade to a new display and get away from the issues they were having altogether. We also bought another low-houred Magnum and added a CNH completion kit to that too. Now, all three tractors are set up on PTx Trimble, running on Centrepoint RTX, and the GFX systems, LX40 modems, auto-sync, Trimble Ag Software and data-sharing features make everything so much easier to manage. From guidance lines to proof-of-placement, it’s all automatically updated, and we no longer have issues with signal drop-outs. 

Centrepoint RTX is a game changer – it’s so much better than the old RTK system. The convergence time is fast, and the signal is far more reliable, even around trees. When we’re out contracting across the district, we don’t have to worry about switching radio channels or finding a signal – it just works. 

The Vantage team has been fantastic to work with. They’re easy to reach, quick to respond, and always ready to help, whether it’s fixing a problem remotely or working through it over the phone. We’ve been really impressed with their support and expertise. 

I was initially sceptical, but now that the system is reliable and works seamlessly, I wouldn’t do without it. Even rolling in the dark has become easy! For us, switching to Centrepoint RTX has made a world of difference – we wouldn’t go back.” 

Products used: 

Trimble Auto-Steer Transforms Spraying Operations at Philip Wareing Limited

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In the ever-evolving landscape of agriculture, innovation takes centre stage as farmers seek to enhance efficiency, reduce costs, and minimise environmental impact. One such innovation gaining traction is the integration of auto-steer technology into spraying trucks, a move that promises to revolutionise the precision and effectiveness of field operations.

 

Vantage New Zealand has been working with Philip Wareing Limited (PWL) to install auto-steering technology in two of their spray trucks. PWL is a family-owned and managed transport company in Methven, established in 1975. They began as a spraying contracting business and are now one of the largest rural transport companies in the South Island.

 

The journey of this project began around seven months ago when PWL expressed that they wanted to save on inputs and increase their accuracy of spraying and make life easier for their drivers. While already utilising Trimble GPS with FieldIQ and the GFX-750 for spraying operations, PWL sought to elevate their capabilities by incorporating auto-steer functionality into their trucks.

 

Trimble’s auto-steer technology offers farmers and contractors like PWL the ability to navigate straight lines with precision, a crucial factor in optimising the efficiency of spraying operations. As contractors put in all their lines at the start of the season, everyone will then use those lines, so it is important that they are accurate and repeatable.



By being able to align with straight, pre-established run lines for the season, the trucks minimise overspray, leading to substantial savings in both product and fuel. The advantages extend beyond mere precision, with the technology contributing to significant chemical savings and reduced environmental impact.

 

The first hurdle was installing the equipment and having it certified so the sprayers could move freely on NZ roads. Certification is a meticulous process, especially for modifications involving auto-steer systems, which is important as trucks need to be able to move freely on New Zealand roads. The fear of accidents due to the self-steering technology looms large, necessitating thorough scrutiny by regulatory bodies.

 

James Storey, Vantage New Zealand Trimble Solutions Specialist, had a history of collaboration with Gilchrist Brothers on similar projects. Gilchrist Brothers, known for their proficiency in installing advanced systems, took charge of the technical aspects, ensuring that the auto-steer technology was not only seamlessly incorporated into the two existing trucks but also met rigorous safety standards.

 

The involvement of NZTA was crucial in ensuring that any alterations made to the trucks adhered to safety regulations and received proper certification. This step was essential to prevent potential legal issues, maintain insurance coverage, and secure roadworthiness.

 

Historically, operators hesitated to adopt systems such as auto-steer due to the risk of facing legal consequences, including trucks being ordered off the road. The collaboration with Gilchrist Brothers provided a legal and certified avenue for PWL to upgrade their trucks without compromising safety or legality.

 

Mark Wareing, co-owner of Philip Wareing Limited, has high praise for the impact of Trimble’s auto-steer system on their spraying operations. He sees it as a valuable tool for training new operators, helping them learn to maintain straight tramlines quickly and efficiently.

 

“It has empowered one of our trainee drivers to operate the spray rig with increased speed and efficiency,” Wareing says. “Without it, the learning curve for mastering straight driving would have been significantly more time-consuming.”

 

For experienced operators, Trimble’s auto-steer technology allows them to focus more on the precision of spraying rather than the manual task of driving straight. The technology also helps reduce fatigue and ensures that jobs are as efficient as they can be and repeatable every time.

 

“With the type of geography we spray, there can be many different types of obstacles in the paddock, and with auto-steer, the driver is able to watch their booms and concentrate on all the other aspects of actually spraying,” Wareing explains. “It also helps us reduce any over or under-spray.”

 

Wareing is particularly impressed with the comprehensiveness of the Trimble system. He says it offers a well-rounded solution for the multifaceted challenges encountered in their operations, making it an indispensable asset to their business.

 

“There isn’t a single standout function with Trimble,” Wareing says. “It’s the whole package that makes it so valuable to us. It’s a reliable and efficient system that helps us get the job done right.”

 

Wareing said that his father always said that you can tell the quality of the workmanship by how straight the drivers had driven, but with modern technology we see an improvement that will simplify what used to be quite a skill. Overall, PWL is extremely satisfied with their investment in Trimble’s auto-steer system. They believe it has had a transformative impact on their spraying operations, leading to increased efficiency, productivity, and accuracy.

 

In essence, the auto-steer integration serves as a game-changer in the world of precision agriculture. It addresses the concerns of accuracy, efficiency, and environmental sustainability, marking a paradigm shift in how spraying operations are conducted.

 

As we witness the ongoing transformation of traditional farming practices, the integration of auto-steer technology into spraying trucks stands out as a beacon of progress. The collaborative efforts of PWL, Vantage New Zealand, and Gilchrist Brothers demonstrate a strong commitment to innovation, sustainability, and the pursuit of excellence in modern agriculture.

 

As this journey unfolds, it sets a precedent for the industry, encouraging farmers and contractors to embrace technology-driven solutions for a more efficient and sustainable future. If you would like to know more about Trimble’s auto steer or how Precision Agriculture can optimise your farming practices, get in touch with the team at Vantage New Zealand on 0800 462 862 or vantage-nz.com

Precision Ag Solutions at Ludlow Farms

Simon White owns 1100-ha Ludlow Farms in Hawkes Bay, where he produces cereals, seed, squash, and hemp, as well as finishing beef and lamb. He has been working with Vantage NZ since 2015.

His initial goal with precision ag was to understand the different soil types on his property so he could begin farming according to soil zones. He was also looking for ways to comply with ever-changing environmental regulations. The changing landscape of environmental regulations and rising costs present challenges that he looks to tackle with the help of precision technology.

The solution:

Vantage NZ Trimble Ag specialist Wade Riley happens to live next door to Simon and has been working with him since 2015. The first technology they applied was electromagnetic (EM) soil mapping to identify the soil types across their farm. The data captured in the initial EM soil survey has continued to benefit them to this day.

The addition of yield mapping gives them full visibility over the return each soil type and paddock produces. This allows them to farm according to soil types and maximise yield and profitability.

Outcomes:

These solutions have resulted in a 12-15% saving on nutrient inputs on light soils, as the soil type cannot sustain high yields. The nutrients saved are instead put into other parts of the paddock, where the soil type can sustain more yield. In this way, Simon can place the nutrients exactly where they’re needed, minimising waste and maximising yield.

Additionally, having GPS on the tractor gives an approximate 2.4% saving on overlap. This translates into cost savings on all seeds, nutrients, labour, fuel, and tractor hours. Not only that, but driver fatigue and machinery wear and tear are minimised.

Simon explains: “With the data we now have, we use variable rate application to apply fertiliser and inputs only where they are needed on the farm. In terms of quantity that means we only apply how much is needed,” Simon says. “Environmentally, it is good to comply with regulation and also maximise our environmental gains.”

Benefits:

  1. By using their EM and yield maps throughout the season, Simon can use data to ensure zoning is correct and see where each paddock stands in terms of profitability.
  2. With the data he collects, Simon can apply nutrients and inputs only where needed to save money and reduce environmental impact.
  3. They are using these technologies to inform their business decisions.

Simon is now looking at additional on-farm technologies, such as WeedSeeker 2, to further cut costs and reduce environmental impacts.

To find out how precision ag could help you to reduce costs and maximise profits, contact Vantage NZ on 0800 482 682 or vantage-nz.com.

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