Ag Technologies Looking For Next Customer Need
Thursday, July 19th, 2012
On most days, the staff at Ag Technologies can be found out in the field talking with customers.
According to Region Manager Robbie Tabb, working alongside customers is the only way to discover what their next need might be.
"We're always looking at providing the customer's next need. It's crucial to our business and how we stay on the forefront of trends in precision ag," Tabb said.
From the Beginning
Ag Technologies was founded in 2007 and Tabb is one of its first employees. A full-service precision ag company, Ag Tech provides the latest products and services through a network of experienced personnel strategically located around the Southeast.
Technology first made its way onto the farm in the early 2000s, mostly with data management applications. According to Tabb, precision ag began to take off around 2004 with more widespread adoption of yield monitors, variable rate applications and GPS guidance. From its start, Ag Tech has worked with growers to find ways to utilize new technologies on the farm.
"We offer the full realm of products, services and technical support. Our customers understand if they need any support we will be there," Tabb said. "We strive to be on the forefront of trends but we want to make sure stuff works before we put it out there."
Still on the Forefront
The most recent example of Ag Tech's position at the forefront is GreenSeeker, a variable rate application and mapping system from NTech Industries, which is owned by Trimble. GreenSeeker technology uses optical sensors to measure the plant's biomass and determine the crop's normalized difference vegetative index or NDVI. Based on numerous readings across a zone, the system recommends a zone-specific nitrogen application rate and
communicates the setting to the rate controller "on the go."
Algorithms for nitrogen application are well established for winter wheat, spring wheat and corn. An algorithm for cotton was more recently introduced and researchers are developing algorithms for potatoes, sugar beets, durum wheat, canola, barley, turf and sunflowers.
"Sales of GreenSeeker in the Southeast are getting there. It's a highly technical sale and we're working closely with growers across the region to make sure the product delivers as expected," Tabb said.
More information on GreenSeeker and Ag Technologies LLC is available at www.agtechllc.com.
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