Top 10 Ag Technologies from 2010

See if your list matches ours.

Tom Bechman

Published: Nov 28, 2010

Agriculture rolled ahead in 2010 despite the ongoing national recession. Companies continued to look for, find and release new technologies. Before the yeear ends, here's a look at 10 technologies we think are memorable from 2010. Obviously, some are more noteworthy than others, and some may be a bit tongue-in-cheek.

These are presented in no particular order. If your favorite technology was omitted, ro one you think will become important, please let us know. Email: tbechman@farmprogress.com.

Raven Sling Shot system - Farm Progress' own Willie Vogt was one of the first to break the word on this technology. It allows precision nearly like that of RTK guidance using cellular transmission. It works because the transmission of data requires far less power than the transmission of voice, so signals are very reliable, and aren't dropped.

Connected Farm concept - Josh Flint from Prairie Farmer and Willie Vogt laid this out earlier in the year. It was also on display at various places in the 2010 Farm Progress Show. The idea is simply that one GPS device can talk to another, ant that you can send data from your combine in wireless fashion to your office. All details aren't worked out, but it's coming together. FarmWorks Software for mobile devices is a major player.

Binspector - This product from GSI ag is the culmination of 10 years of invention and development. It's so new the first person who answers the phone at GSI may not recognize it. Basically, it detects spoilage and insect problems in grain bins by sensing increased carbon dioxide levels. It could prove very useful in the future.

Grain entrapment rescue tubes - Some were introduced before 1010. GSI actively demonstrated how the tubes work at meetings in Vincennes and other places this past year. The idea is for rescuers to reach someone entrapped in grain and slide the tube around them to help remove them. There are differences in type of material and size they're made of. Some local volunteer fire departments are purchasing them.

Votivo - Word was out that it was coming a year ago, but it's now here. Beck's Hybrids, for example, is coating all seed corn they sell with Vitivo and Poncho 1250. It provides protection against nematodes. A version should be ready for 2012 for soybeans. This one comes from Bayer.

Smartstax corn - This promised innovation finally actually made it to commercial corn fields this year. It features eight genes backing up traits for insect protection and herbicide tolerance. The idea is to help reduce chances of development of resistance. Monsanto and Dow Agro Sciences developed this technology.

Agrisure Viptera trait - This advanced new event form Syngenta offers excellent resistance to several Lepidoptera corn pests. Coupled with other traits, hybrids with this trait, available in 2011, can resist armyworm, corn earworm, western bean cutworm, cutworm, corn borer, corn rootworm and many more.

Surveillance sunglasses - OK, this may be the wacky choice. But several companies are converting various technologies used in security industries for use in agriculture. These sunglasses actually allow you to record video while you're wearing them, without anyone knowing it.

Vertical Till revolution - It's the hottest thing in no-till and minimum tillage circles. Some of these tools were already on the market, but farmers are just now discovering them. Salford introduced a more aggressive version while still offering its original RS version, and Sunflower entered the market with a new entry this year.

Kixor herbicide technology - While you can't buy Kixor directly, you can buy several herbicides with this new active ingredient. BASF debuted several new products based off of this new discovery this year. It's one of the truly first new looks in herbicides in some time.