What kind of technology do you have today that your father or grandfather would have wanted when they were farming? You can name several big ones off the bat, including yield monitoring and autosteering. However, advances in technology are showing up in products on the market that don’t create as much fanfare. If you can use them on your farm, they may be just as important to you as some of the better-known, precision-farming inspired technologies.

Sunco implement guidance hitch might be one of those technologies. Based on receiving RTK signals, it helps make sure the implement stays on track as well as the tractor. This newest product from Sunco is specifically designed to help guide pull-type implements.

Veris Technologies introduced their first soil mapping implement many years ago. The latest version, the V3 model, allows you to do more things and learn even more about your soil types. Veris has been a pioneer in an industry that has had to prove that its product has value in helping farmers better understand soil and make more informed crop management decisions.

Davis Instruments is a leader in the crop monitoring business. To this point, many of the customers for that technology have been specialty growers with high-value crops. More farmers are discovering that monitoring weather information and relating it back to management decisions makes sense, even with crops like corn and soybeans. Davis Instruments now offers wireless technology to help you get the data from the devices that collect information more quickly.  

Companies such as Ag Leader and Farmers Edge continue to update and improve software that allows you to track data and make more informed decisions based on that data. You can check out their latest offerings using contact information supplied about the products.

AgLeader monitors talk to each other
AgLeader’s AgFiniti and InCommand displays can now talk to each other. The company’s new DisplayCast creates real-time display-to-display communication. The program allows you to share swath coverage maps, guidance lines, field summaries, yield and planting maps. Contact AgLeader, Ames, Iowa, at 515-735-7000 or see agleader.com for more information.

Liquid insecticide application platform
Plant fields faster with FMC Agricultural Solutions’ 3RIVE3D, a central-fill liquid insecticide platform. Load enough insecticide to plant 500 acres in just 10 minutes. Base list price is $26,000 for a 16-row unit. For more information, contact Davis Equipment, Johnston, Iowa, at 800-747-8300 or see davisequipment.com.

Better implement guidance
The new Sunco Implement Guidance Hitch steers the implement from its front, not its rear, and does not change the pull point of the implement. Base list price is $11,500. For more information, contact Sunco Marketing, North Platte, Neb., at 308-532-2146 or see suncomarketing.com.

Conservis offers farm management software
Conservis provides farm management software to track field activities and input costs in real time, manage inventories, and analyze yields. For more information, contact Conservis, Minneapolis, at 612-424-6300 or see conserviscorp.com.

On-the-go soil analysis
Making management decisions based on random sample points or inaccurate soil surveys can cause costly mistakes. But Veris Technologies is offering its U3 that maps three critical soil properties in one pass. The U3, which can be pulled by any UTV, measures and maps electric conductivity, organic matter and pH values. The best part: It offers precision with on-the-go sensors. The detailed maps help farmers using VRT. It is available only by contacting Veris Technologies, Salina, Kan., at 785-825-1978 or visit veristech.com.

Reducing corn header losses
You can reduce grain header losses by 80% with the new 360 Yield Saver, according to 360 Yield Center. This intermeshing brush assembly for corn heads eliminates gaps common to traditional gathering chains to capture significantly more kernels. The assembly mounts easily on corn heads and provides similar wear life to other gathering chains. When the brushes wear out, you simply replace the blocks. Available for numerous corn heads, you can learn more at 360yieldcenter.com.

Composting in one unit
Composting livestock mortalities is difficult. With the BioMulcher from Dutch Industries, the composting process is shortened substantially, and the leachate present in compost piles is managed within the unit, controlling odor and pests. The BioMulcher crushes bones by mechanically breaking down and aggressively mixing carcasses with available carbon sources like straw or wood chips. In three to four days, the unit renders into a fully stable compost product. The list price is $48,000. Learn more at biomulcher.com.

Integrated farm management platform
Farmer’s Edge offers all kinds of service packages including their new Smart Solution whole-farm management system that includes an on-farm weather station and FarmCommand, a fully integrated platform that gives you the ability to capture and analyze farm data almost anywhere. You can get the complete field history, management of your fleet, real-time logistics, alerts and reports, as well as secure technology for as little as $1.95 per acre. Get more information at farmersedge.ca.

Handle root balls with ease
Root balls are a common challenge for no-till producers. The Strobel Row Finisher is a new way to tackle this challenge by removing the root ball mass and providing a smooth seedbed — so every seed can be planted at the proper depth. The unit, which bolts directly onto an Orthman Stalk Puller or Besler Root Slicer, uses an adjustable down-pressure and smooth-riding basket to adjust to the soil and effectively mulch and stalk debris. Get all the details at strobelmfg.com.

Real-time crop monitoring
Davis Instruments is not new; the company has 50 years of experience in providing equipment that collects and monitors weather information for agriculture and other industries. Its state-of-the-art systems transfer this information wirelessly so the user can get information in real time. Specialty crop growers use these products extensively to monitor heat units for crop progress and receive instant alerts in case of impending frost. To check out the product line for Davis Instruments, Hayward, Calif., call 510-940-1881 or see davisnet.com.

Power-pull hitch option
Say goodbye to excessive wear and extra play in the hitch on heavy-duty implements. Walk around a farm show and you will find ball bearings inside round hitch openings on an increasing number of larger implements. The Excelerator 8005 series from Kuhn Krause utilizes this design. It’s called the Power Pull hitch on the Kuhn Krause implement. Spokespeople say they’re putting it on more large implements because it reduces wear. You can find an original component ball-bearing-style hitch by Googling ‘Bull Pull.’ See the Power Pull hitch at your Kuhn Krause dealer.