Whether we all want to admit it or not, the current market and futures outlooks are weighing on our minds and most likely our pocketbooks as well.
While new equipment purchases or advanced technologies may not be in the plans for the near future, you can still make the most of some very practical, very reasonable solutions that can help increase your net farm income (NFI) this season if yields and commodity prices aren’t what you’d hoped.
Make use of what you have
The first and most affordable solution is simple – take advantage of the precision ag technology you’ve already invested in.
Transfer devices when possible – Move displays from tractor to combine or use them for multiple operations to ensure you're always on point and maximizing your output. Transferring your guidance hardware is simple with transfer kits that cost a fraction of the price of buying another system.
Stay up to date – Perform regular firmware updates and maintenance to ensure your system is working at the top of its game and that you have access to the latest features. For example:
Square Headlands: maximize field coverage by utilizing the entire breadth of your fields with auto-guidance lines that extend all the way to the field boundary.
FreeForm: adapt your guidance behavior to fit the unique contours of your field.
If you have a PTx Trimble display, be sure to update it to Precision-IQ version 14.40 or higher to take advantage of these and other features. For questions on updating your firmware or purchasing a transfer kit, reach out to your local dealer.
Leverage all existing functionality – Already have an RTK corrections subscription? Utilizing xFill Premium can maximize your uptime and productivity. This service allows you to maintain sub-inch accuracy while bridging the loss of an RTK correction stream when network connectivity issues arise.
Consider a retrofit system
Interested in increasing the performance of the equipment you already have instead of buying new? PTx Trimble specializes in application control and retrofit technology that:
Fits virtually any make or model of planter, sprayer, spreader, seeder or slurry system.
Is designed for ease of use, simplifying technology for any operator.
Provides return on investment in as little as a year or less by decreasing inputs and increasing productivity.
For example: Solutions like the GFX-350 display with NAV-500 guidance controller are a great first step into guidance and steering, while products such as PTx Trimble’s Field-IQ ISOBUS line offer plug-and-play capabilities with harnessing that connects directly into your tractor’s ISOBUS breakaway connector. No matter your farming needs, there is likely a retrofit system that can elevate your current equipment for greater precision.
Looking for more ways to save? Be sure to ask your dealer about available financing, bundling, discount or trade up offers that make these investments even more affordable.
Make changes now to impact the future
While you take a hard look at the market, consider how small investments you make now can help create efficiencies in your operation that will multiply over time. Precision ag technology is all about giving you time and money back to spend on the things you truly care about, one step at a time. Let PTx Trimble help.
