The Nebraska Soybean Board has launched an education program for fuel distributors in Nebraska on the benefits of SOY BioDiesel. The first phase of the program includes a mini-CD ROM produced by Ag-Technologies International, a food and agribusiness-focused training company (www.agtechintl.com or 507/446/9100). The CD walks fuel distributors through a series of modules on how to more effectively sell the benefits of SOY BioDiesel to their customers and why SOY BioDiesel can benefit their business. If you are interested in receiving a copy of the CD ROM, contact the Nebraska Soybean Board at 800/852-2326.

Raven Industries has rolled out the Viper precision application system, providing a flexible, visual link between any guidance system and most Raven controllers. You can create an as-applied map on each field with a touch of a button, complete with application rates. It's easy to add information on spraying conditions, products, nozzles and other data needed for your records. The Viper is touch-sensitive so that you can control most features onscreen. The system also provides a fully functional keypad with programmable, lighted keys. For more information, contact Raven Industries, Inc., Box 5107, Sioux Falls, SD 57117-5107, 605/336-2750, www.ravenindustries.com, e-mail: info@ravenind.com.

Micro-Trak Systems, Inc., introduces a multifunctional controller and guidance system. The company says the touch screen and computer has the power to perform several tasks simultaneously, such as guidance, spray and seed rate control, etc. ZYNX Solutions utilizes Windows 98 operating software with 10 GB hard drive, interactive touch screen color display with built-in audible and voice alarms. Multiple ports allow for open-ended product expansion. The system delivers parallel, contour and racetrack guidance. For more information, log on www.microtrak.com, e-mail: trakmail@micro-trak.com.

The new V9.2 business management system for commodity, agronomy, financial and inventory management is available from Agris Corporation.

“We've made key improvements throughout all the packages in the V9 system, including commodity management/accounts-payable integration, quick formulation, reporting and navigation,” says Agris President Ron Leiker. The system now includes over 1,000 additional searchable fields and requires fewer keystrokes to perform various functions for improved ease of use. Agris V9.2 also includes improved report/forms writing functionality, enhanced patronage reporting and multiple enhancements for position reporting and inquiries, including additional drill-down capabilities.

For more information, contact Agris Corporation, 300 Grimes Bridge Rd., Roswell, GA 30075, 800/795-7995, or log on www.agris.com, e-mail, sales@agris.com.

Software developer SSI and iVesta Financial Solutions, a joint venture of Deere Credit, Inc. and CoBank, have combined efforts to create improved electronic tools for retailers.

By integrating SSI's Agvance Planning module and iVesta's Program Manager software, retailers can now assist customers in identifying and applying for grower incentive packages during crop planning.

SSI Agvance provides a secure online database containing manufacturer, distributor and retailer incentive programs. They can be accessed through a stand-alone search functionality to assist with crop planning decisions or through an automatic match against a grower's crop plan requirements. After an incentive program is chosen, iVesta continues to enable the process by providing an online credit application as well as potential immediate approval by the lender.

For more information, contact SSI at 800/752-7912, www.agvance.net, or iVesta at 877/748-3782, www.ivestafinancial.com.

A new correction option is availble for the Outback S. E-Dif provides a viable backup to WAAS for guidance. E-Diff can be loaded on any Outback S and will internally generate a stable DGPS without receiving an external correction signal. The system works by using error trends from GPS satellites to project correction values into the future. The company says this feature makes it highly suitable for progressive, pass-to-pass guidance, provided passes are made within a few minutes of each other.

One-time authorization of e-Dif is available for $590; price drops to $399 when bundled with a new Outback S system. For more information, contact RHS, Inc., 2005 W. Oregon St., Hiawatha, KS 66434, www.outbackguidance.com.

SST Development Group, Inc. has released SST Stratus software for recording farm management activities on a pocket PC. The software is GPS-enabled and is compatible with SSToolbox, SSToolboxLite and SSToolkit. The user can split fields and enter sub-field or whole-field data with or without the use of GPS. Most common management actions and applications are available on SST Stratus and can be selected from drop-down boxes containing listings of hybrids, varieties, chemicals, pests or equipment.

“I believe the time is right to take bold, new steps to make precision ag techniques more widely accessible by reducing the cost and complexity of the technologies and by making the resulting information more valuable to growers,” says David Watts, SST president.

SST Stratus software is priced at $600. For more information, log on www.sstdevgroup.com, e-mail, dana waits@sstdevgroup.com.

Midwest Technologies has added a point-by-point navigation system to its Mid-Tech Version 3.0 software. Along with precise guidance in curved, straight and center-pivot swaths, the addition of the Nav 2 Point program permits summer field scouting, crop zone management and late-fall soil grid sampling, making the Swath XL a full three-season system, says Marty Wagner, director of sales.

The new program permits a user to mark and name points in the field using the Swath XL's Smartpad. When the user works in the field at a later date, he can locate mapped points and be directed to them using either the Smartpad or the Swath XL lightbar.

Other features include a language menu in Spanish, French, German, Italian or English, and a “course on ground” option that gives the operator a different view of his position. It's another way of looking at course and direction; it shows the vehicle in the center of the screen while the map appears to move under it. Version 3.0 comes standard with all new Swath SX guidance systems this year. Customers who have used the Swath XL for the past several years can either purchase the upgrade from their dealer or download it from the Mid-Tech Web site, www.mid-tech.com. For more information, call 217/753-8424.

SOILTEQ has introduced a pair of products especially suited for custom applicators and field scouts.

Falcon Express is a backup tool that prevents expensive downtime for users of Falcon I or Falcon II application controllers.

“Falcon Express assures you can keep running during peak application times, in case of a system breakdown. It is very cost-effective; customers can often use older laptop computers that have been taken out of regular service to power Falcon Express,” says Terry Panbecker, software and sales manager.

The kit includes the necessary hardware and software to configure the laptop to connect directly to Falcon systems. Loading as multiple system configurations ensures the backup system is operational within minutes, once the user has copied the Falcon vehicle configuration files.

Pandecker says several units were field-tested this spring with good results. He expects Falcon Express to be available for order by midsummer. The unit is priced at $2,695.

The new PUC is an easy-to-use, 12-channel WASS-enabled portable GPS receiver. PUC is intended for data collection, not application or guidance, Panbecker says. “The PUC is great for on-foot or mobile field scouting or advanced data collection jobs. Just plug it into your vehicle's 12-volt system or a backpack battery, and it's ready to go. It's a lower-cost alternative for data collection in the ag GPS hardware,” he explains.

PUC is priced at $499. For more information on PUC or Falcon Express, contact SOILTEQ, 5850 Opus Pkwy., Minnetonka, MN 55343, 952/912-8400, www.soilteq.com, or e-mail: tpanbecker@soilteq.com, or circle 418.

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