NFarms Partnership Update
NFarms is developing partnerships with local growers, producers, industry leaders, and organizations. The partnerships will help facilitate the rapid deployment of cutting-edge advancements by combining resources, expertise, and practical insight. This collaboration will play an important role in advancing technology in agricultural operations.
ENREEC (NFARMS) and John Deere share a common priority, striving to pioneer cutting-edge technology in agriculture. Testing these new technologies allows us to identify the value added to growers' operations.
Real Time Data and Insights
JD Harvest Lab Silage sensor:
- Measure real-time crop moisture, dry matter, protein, starch, fiber, neutral and acid detergent fiber (ADF), and sugar
- Predict crude protein, starch, TDN and fiber nutrients important to your livestock feed
- Automatically adjust length of cut on the go
- Take HarvestLab™ off your machine after manure or forage season and optimize your feed rations by using the sensor as a stationary unit to measure ensiled crop values directly from the pile or bag
ENREEC Perspective
Farm Management Strategies - Harvest Planning efficiency
Why is the system more efficient?
From an in-season standpoint, the real-time moisture sensing capability plays a key role in farm management decisions. This helps farm operations plan harvest by giving real-time moisture analysis in the field, allowing them to identify what fields provide the targeted moisture for silage production within minutes. In the past, measuring forage moisture was a process that entailed cutting into the field, taking a sample, and drying it down on a dry down tester. This process took roughly 45 minutes, bringing harvest to a standstill. Having the ability to monitor the moisture level as your harvesting significantly cuts down on lost productivity. Another benefit is being able to identify high and low producing areas of the field by geospatially mapping forage nutrient levels. These benefits enable farm operations to map out an efficient harvest plan prior to the harvest season.
Top: Farm operations chopping corn silage.
Bottom: John Deere Harvest Lab dashboard showing field moisture values in realtime from sensor at NFARMS building.
NFarms Partner Perspectives...
From James Petersen, John Deere Dairy & Livestock Technology Integration Manager
For decades, John Deere has been at the forefront of agricultural advancements, consistently pushing the boundaries to create smarter, more efficient tools and technologies for farmers worldwide. Its dedication to research and development has led to groundbreaking innovations such as precision agriculture, autonomous machinery, and advanced data analytics. These innovations not only enhance productivity and sustainability but also empower farmers to make more informed decisions, ultimately contributing to the global food supply chain's resilience. John Deere's strategic vision emphasizes the importance of integrating cutting-edge technology with traditional farming practices to ensure a prosperous future for agriculture. Its relentless pursuit of excellence and innovation makes John Deere a trusted partner for farmers looking to embrace the future of farming.
How did the partnership working with NFARMS develop, how (if accurate) does NFARMS align with your mission?
The partnership journey with NFARMS began in a very similar manner to how John Deere dealers partner with customers to deliver solutions that drive increased profitability and sustainability. As UNL was looking to expand its beef feedlot research with the Klosterman Feedlot Innovation Center, the timing was right to access the farms current precision agriculture technology capabilities to highlight areas new technology solutions could enhance research initiatives and unlock more insights.
How is NFARMS incorporating your sensors? What potential benefits do you see by working with NFARMS?
NFARMS has incorporated the HarvestLab™ 3000 sensor into its silage harvest operation, documenting geospatial constituent data for one of its primary feed sources at its beef research farm. The sensor has unlocked new insights into harvest timing relative to crop moisture content as well as provided a better understanding of nutritional value of the feed source. More importantly, this new data is driving new questions the farm didn’t know it had. John Deere is excited to continue to work with NFARMS as it expands the HarvestLab™ 3000 sensor capability to its slurry manure application research initiatives; leveraging technology to accurately apply an organic fertilizer source and drive new insights in sustainable farming practices.
What was the idea behind developing the Harvest Lab 3000 sensor?
The HarvestLab™ 3000 sensor began as a groundbreaking innovation in forage harvesting, equipped with the ability to measure the moisture content of harvested crops. Over the years, this technology has expanded its capabilities to include the measurement of crude protein, crude fiber, starch, fiber, neutral detergent fiber, acid detergent fiber, and sugar; ensuring better crop management and decision-making. Today, HarvestLab™ has evolved into one sensor for four different applications; Constituent Sense in silage on self-propelled forage harvester or in a bench setup to measure feed quality during consumption, Grain Sensing constituents on a combine, and Manure Constituent Sense on slurry tanker or dragline applicator. The HarvestLab 3000 stands as a testament to John Deere’s commitment to technological advancement, providing farmers with real-time data and insights that drive efficiency, sustainability, and productivity in their operations.
James Petersen's professional career spans two decades of Ag Industry experience beginning in 2005 at Raven Industries developing strategic partnerships and growing OEM business. James joined John Deere in 2011 and has served roles of engineering, product marketing, product support and sales territory management, dealer development, and global product planning. Currently James holds the position of Dairy & Livestock Technology Integration Manger, helping John Deere develop new and innovative solutions for its Dairy & Livestock customer segment. He grew up on a cow/calf farm in Burke, South Dakota where he spends spare time living out his farming passion and helping friends with their farming operations.
