CenterLine is the newest and lowest-priced lightbar guidance system offered by Midwest Technologies. It includes a compact, high-lumen lightbar, submeter GPS antenna/receiver and wireless remote control. You can use it with the free WAAS system.

A curved design aids quick understanding of steering cues. You can adjust brightness from sunlight to full darkness. The lightbar displays easy-to-read text messages, including speed, area covered and track error. Seven backlit keys on the handheld wireless remote direct system functions.

Price: $3,195. Contact Midwest Technologies, 2733 W. Ash St., Springfield, IL 62703, 406/388-3120, visit www.mid-tech.com or www.freeproductinfo.net/fin.

E-Markets, Ames, IA, has expanded its Internet-enabled business applications software offerings through its purchase of California-based AgSoft. The AgSoft business system includes modules for managing warehouse inventory, scheduling harvest and delivery, and managing grower account information and contracts. The system also includes a human resources/payroll module.

Contact E-Markets, Inc., 1606 Golden Aspen Dr., Suite 108, Ames, IA 50010, 877/674-7419, send an e-mail message to Robert.vincent@emarkets.com, visit www.emarkets.com or www.freeproductinfo.net/fin.

Ag Leader Technology has engineered the PF product line (PF3000 and PF 3000 Pro) into the new Pfadvantage console. The redesigned precision farming tool monitors grain, cotton and bulk crops to create field records and yield maps. Site verification, navigation, gridding and screen mapping features extend its use for hybrid comparisons, as-applied mapping and variable rate application.

Ag Leader's new SMS (spatial management system) Basic Version 3.0 software helps you manage, view and edit data collected with the Pfadvantage or the PF3000 or PF3000 Pro systems. SMS Basic also provides support for other types of precision farming data, including soil maps, grid points for soil sampling and aerial photos. You can create variable rate prescriptions and export them as ESRI Shape, MID/MIF or Ag Leader TGT prescription file for use with the AG Leader consoles.

Price: Pfadvantage, $2,395; SMS software, $600. Contact Ag Leader Technology, 2202 S. Riverside Dr., Ames, IA 50010, 515/232-5363, visit www.agleader.com or www.freeproductinfo.net/fin.

Trimble and Spraying Systems Company have teamed up to integrate their GPS technologies into a new assisted-steering control system. The new guidance package, expected next spring, will combine Trimble's Autopilot system with the CAN bus technology of the Mid-Tech Legacy 6000 controller. It will provide hands-free steering and self-regulating application while eliminating unnecessary electronic equipment in the vehicle cab. In a typical variable rate fertilizer application, the Legacy 6000 removes the need for multiple displays, such as a dedicated computer and one or more rate controllers, according to Rich Gould with Spraying Systems.

No prices have been determined. Visit www.trimble.com or www.mid-tech.com for more details.

Ohio State University researchers have discovered that a quick payback is possible with precision farming equipment.

The scientists studied six commercially available global positioning systems (GPS) guidance systems with Wide Area Augmentation System (WASS) differential signal. They selected WASS because the signal can be picked up throughout North America and it's free. Plus, WAAS uses the same signal frequency as the GPS signal, and many guidance systems operate with WASS.

The guidance systems with WASS proved to be accurate 95% of the time with 20 in. of error. The error level calculates to a 2% overlap on a 90-ft. boom. Foam markers traditionally result in a 5 to 6% overlap.

“That 3% advantage over foam markets when spraying a 2,000-acre operation, for example, means 60 acres less in overlap, saving $900 in chemical applications at $15/acre/yr.,” reports researcher Matthew Sullivan, OSU program specialist.” Plus, take into consideration the time and fuel savings and wear and tear on the equipment.”

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