| 43 RURAL SOLUTIONS » Advance Agriculture Precision agriculture is now! Precision agriculture uses accurate GPS-driven data to maximise productivity. Uptake of technology in has increased, particularly with the rising cost of inputs. Richard Loader Year on year, Advance Agriculture is seeing continuous innovation in precision agriculture and spray equipment, and stocks a diverse range of AgLeader GPS systems to meet the growing demand from farmers and contractor’s looking for ef- ciencies the technology delivers. Advance Agriculture’s Callum Dickson says the uptake of technology in the southern regions has increased as operators see the value it adds, particularly with the rising cost of inputs. Precision agriculture is a concept that uses accurate GPS driven data to maximise productivity and ef ciency in farming operations. Through data collected, it also ensures compliance with regulations. “Spraying ag-chemicals and applying fertiliser is a signi cant cost input for farmers,” says Callum. “Because our AgLeader systems have the ability to use section control, when you overlap, the system shuts that section down, and physically won’t over-apply. We can also create exclusion zones for critical source areas, including near waterways. Environmentally it’s very bene cial, and that has always been a strong argument for these systems. With the cost of nitrogen, fuels and other inputs increasing, if you can eliminate 10% of that overlay there is a signi cant saving.” Complementing its long history providing a wide range of sprayers, parts and spraying accessories, Advance Agriculture now supplies and installs a range of GPS systems that control the application of sprays and fertilisers. “We specialise in selling and installing AgLeader’s autosteer and ISOBUS compatible guidance systems. Advance Agriculture has the ability to retro- t GPS systems to existing tractors, which can then control the sprayers, spreaders, drills and yield measurements. That enables operators to take ef ciency and convenience to another level,” says Paul Sinclair, Advance Agriculture’s Precisions Agriculture Specialist. AgLeader is a well-established American brand, and is fully serviceable in New Zealand. In the spring of 2021, Andrews Transport broke tradition and replaced their Mini Sower Truck with a 4220 JCB Fastrac and Amazone Fert Spreader, engaging the team at Advance Agriculture to retro- t an AgLeader InCommand 1200 display to their new JCB and ISOBUS spreader. The new system autosteers the tractor, with all spreader functions controlled through the ISOBUS display. “It was not familiar ground I was used to walking,” says Andrews Transport Manager Dave Duffy. “But I knew it was the way forward for high analysis spreading and proof of placement for the product. The tractor and spreader were easily sorted, but the rest was technology that I was very green to. A phone call to Paul Sinclair put my worries to bed. Advance Agriculture’s expertise in its eld was second to none. They put an AgLeader Package together that has run in harmony with the machine. One big tick of the boxes is the Auto Steer System installed by the team at Advance Agriculture. Pursuing accuracy on spread width, the Auto Steer System took it to another level, and provided the operator the ability to concentrate on other functions, while maintaining awareness of what was going on around him. • to page 45 A SIZE FOR EVERY JOB No matter the spray job, there’s a Croplands linkage sprayer to match. Featuring UV-stabilised tanks and galvanised frames, our sprayers are built with a respect for New Zealand’s tough and varying terrain. Engineered to endure and to give you the confidence to take on paddock after paddock – saving time, reducing costs and maximising productivity. www.croplands.co.nz Proudly supporting Advance Agriculture
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