The new Tempo L high speed planter from Väderstad features optional dry fertilizer tank and updated row units to include small seed closing wheels to help close seed trench and provide consistent seed to soil contact.

A look at the prototype of the medal-winning AGCO Xaver autonomous seeding unit at Agritechnica 2017. The system is programmable, and 12 units are the equivalent of one, 8-row planter. Ten units can plant about 2.5 acres per hour and they will be field tested in 2018, with production tentatively planned for 2020.

A sneak peek at the new GrainSense mobile monitoring system. Measures moisture and protein in wheat, barley, oats and rye in near real-time, with additional crops being tested. The system can be used ahead of harvest to time optimal harvest window. Relays data to mobile app in 30 seconds after scan. Initial cost will be about $4,500 and the product is scheduled to be released in Finland and Sweden in 2018.

This week we welcome Lakefield, Minn., farmer Jerry Ackermann to share how his evolving cover cropping methods have accelerated water infiltration and reduced reliance on herbicide application.

In a recent meeting of San Joaquin Valley NRCS and Resource Conservation Districts leaders held at the Wool Growers’ Restaurant in Los Banos, Calif., the 2017 Conservation Agriculture Farmer Innovator Award was presented to Chowchilla, Calif. farmer, Michael McRee.

Research has shown that both cover crops and perennial biofuel crops can relieve soil compaction. Cover crops are generally planted between cash crops such as corn and soybeans to protect the bare soil.