Tuesday August 30 Ag News

 NeCGA, Ag Leaders File Brief

The Nebraska Corn Growers Association (NeCGA), as part of the Ag Leaders Working Group, filed an amicus brief on the court case that was filed to challenge Nebraska’s signature gathering process for ballot initiatives. The brief was filed to support Nebraska’s constitutional article requiring those petitioning for a vote during an upcoming election must obtains signatures from 38 counties and 5% of registered voters within those counties. NeCGA believe this requirement is necessary to continue to protect the rural voice.



ALFALFA EVALUATION AND RENOVATION
– Ben Beckman, NE Extension Educator

Were you expecting more from your alfalfa yields this year or had a disappointing spring seeding? Is it time to renovate or move on?

Before we make any decisions, measuring our stand to accurately determine health is our first step. We can either measure plants or stems per square foot, but stem count will more accurately predict yield. To assess, take a 17 x 17-inch square or a 19-inch diameter circle and set it down in a field. Count the plants or stems that would be harvested, then divide those by two to get stems or plants per square foot. Do this in several spots around the field for accurate assessment.

For established stands having 4 to 5 healthy plants per square foot or 55 stems per square foot warrants a productive and healthy stand. Stem counts below 55 see a significant decrease in dry matter production. For spring established stands, 10-15 plants per square foot is a perfectly healthy stand as the alfalfa begins to age.  Plants will continue to branch out, so 35-55 stems per square foot is the goal at this point.

If our stand does appear to be lacking, we have a few options.  In fields established this spring, alfalfa autotoxicity has not yet set in, so interseeding thin patches is an option.  For older fields, interseeding with a high-quality forage grass may be a way to maintain productivity for a few more years.  Orchard grass is a tried-and-true option to consider but remember grass/alfalfa mixtures are very limited for weed control options. For either alfalfa or a grass, plan on drilling seeds rather than broadcasting for proper establishment.



Highboy Cover Crop Interseeding Demonstration on Wednesday, September 7th at 11:00 a.m.
Aaron Nygren, NE Extension Educator, Saunders County

We would like to invite you attend a cover crop interseeding demonstration on Wednesday, September 7th from 11 a.m.- 12 p.m. The field day will be at Larry Chapek’s field, located at the southeast corner of the Highway 109 and S road intersection, 1 ½ miles north of Colon, NE.

This demonstration is part of a project between the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, the Lower Platte North, Lower Platte South, and Upper Big Blue Natural Resources Districts (NRDs), the Nebraska Department of Environment & Energy (NDEE), and several participating growers.

This cover crop insterseeder demonstration will allow you to learn more about cover crops, ask questions, and watch the machine run in the field. Cover crops are an increasingly important practice to improve soil health and manage weeds, but one of the key challenges is establishing a cover crop between the short window of harvest and winter temperatures. Interseeding cover crops into corn several weeks before harvest may be one method to increase cover crop success.

For additional information, please see the below graphic or go to https://water.unl.edu/highboy-cover-crop-demonstration. Additionally, you can email me at anygren2@unl.edu or Nate Dorsey, Dodge County Extension Educator at nate.dorsey@unl.edu with questions.



Make It with Wool Contest
Melissa Nordboe, NE Extension, Cuming County

Enter the Make It with Wool Contest! The object of the contest is to promote the beauty and versatility of wool fabrics and yarns; to encourage personal creations in sewing, knitting, crocheting, spinning, and weaving of wool fabrics and yarns; and to recognize creative skills.

The 2022 State Make It with Wool Contest will be November 19 at the Trinity Lutheran Church in Lexington, NE beginning at 9:00 a.m. Everyone is invited to the public fashion show at 1:00 p.m.
The divisions determined by age as of January 1, 2021 (national rule), are as follows: Preteen – age 12 and under, Junior – age 13 to 16, Senior – age 17 to 24, Adult – age 25 and over, and Made for Others.

The entry form, state brochure and national wool contest guidelines are posted on the website:  https://extension.unl.edu/statewide/dawson/.

Entry forms, fees, wool samples, and wool testing fees are due  October 15, 2022,  to Andrea Nisley. The fabrics/yarns used for the wool contest must be 100% wool or wool blend (minimum 60% wool or specialty wool fiber) for each fashion fabric or yarn used. Specialty wool fibers include alpaca, angora, camel, cashmere, llama, mohair, and vicuna.

Contact the Extension Office for more information.



Soybean oil paves the way for dust control and road stabilization at Husker Harvest Days

The Nebraska Soybean Board (NSB) sponsored an application of DustLock™ surrounding the Husker Harvest Days site. The soy-based product works to improve dust control and assist with road stabilization on heavily trafficked gravel or recycled asphalt roads. The product was applied on August 17 to nearly three miles of gravel roads surrounding Husker Harvest Days.

The world's largest totally irrigated farm show paved the interior streets in 2018 but is still surrounded by gravel roads that need to be watered to control dust. Formulated by Environmental Dust Control of the Midwest, DustLock™ works to not only keep dust down, but also eliminate mud and erosion of gravel. The product is a naturally occurring by-product of the soybean oil refining process. Chemists combined ingredients in DustLock™ to make it non-corrosive and friendly to equipment and environment alike.

“We are excited to showcase DustLock™ that uses soybean oil at a marque farmer event,” said Scott Ritzman, NSB executive director. “This product is environmentally friendly and provides economic savings to rural areas. The soybean checkoff is always looking at ways to utilize the entire soybean composition and this product is another way of replacing petroleum oil with soybean oil, adding value to farmers’ bottom line.”

DustLock™ penetrates into the bed of the material and 'bonds' to make a barrier that is naturally biodegradable. This means that DustLock™ stays where it is applied, ensuring that the surrounding ground and water are not contaminated. It works to keep the road in place and helps solve the problem of washboards, washouts and potholes. Only one application is needed and can last multiple years based on the amount of traffic, winter blading and frost conditions.

“It’s definitely going to control dust, it will hold and it will work well,” said Dan Feige of Environmental Dust Control of the Midwest.

Farmers and Nebraska’s economy depend on gravel roads and DustLock™ serves as an economical alternative to asphalt or concrete pavement.

“Producers and researchers are continually advancing commodities around the world, and soybeans are no exception, said Wesley Wach, NSB demand and utilization coordinator. “Soybean oil is extremely versatile and it is incredible to see a product grown by Nebraska’s farmers play such an integral role in improving our quality of life through a sustainable solution.”

DustLock™ has been applied in other parts of the state and across the Midwest and farmers say it has improved safety through better visibility, caused roads to lose less gravel and has kept dust from blowing onto crops and into homes. Application locations include heavily-trafficked gravel roads near elevators, hog barns, feedlots and new community developments.

The Nebraska Soybean Board sponsored this application, something Husker Harvest Days attendees can check out when visiting Husker Harvest Days September 13-15 and in the coming years. Signage will mark the roads where the product was applied and DustLock™ will have a booth at Lot 507 right behind the Commodities Building on Main Steet.

 

Farm, Food and Enterprise Development Welcomes Nieland

The new small business education specialist with Iowa State University Extension and Outreach brings years of experience working with the university and the business world.

Dan Nieland, who began his role Aug. 15, joins ISU Extension and Outreach’s Farm, Food and Enterprise Development team, where he will help advise Iowans looking to start a business or expand on a current venture.

Nieland previously worked for extension and outreach in a three-county area -- Jasper, Mahaska and Marion counties -- where he helped clients with community and economic development activities, including grants and educational resources.

“I am a firm supporter of extension’s mission, especially as it relates to serving smaller communities where resources may not be as available,” said Nieland. “As an organization, we are in all 99 counties so we are able to meet people where they are at.”

Nieland grew up in Carroll County, Iowa, and spent most of his career in the grocery management business. He earned his master’s of business administration from Lindenwood University in 2005.

Along the way, Nieland has operated a number of small businesses with his wife, with an agritourism and alternative agriculture focus. In the past, that included a horse boarding business, and for the past couple years, the duo have operated Angry Chicken Farms, which includes an Airbnb (air bed and breakfast), and animals such as meat chickens and meat goats.

Nieland said he enjoys the agricultural lifestyle and knows first-hand the opportunities and challenges that small-scale producers face.

Duane Johnson, program manager with the Farm, Food and Enterprise Development program, said Nieland’s experience will be beneficial to Iowans and extension and outreach.

“We are excited to have Dan join the Farm, Food, and Enterprise Development team,” said Johnson. “He has extensive experience working with small businesses and with small business finance, and will be a valuable addition to our staff.”

Nieland can be reached at dnieland@iastate.edu.  



U.S. Agricultural Exports in Fiscal Year 2023 Forecast at $193.5 Billion, Imports at $197.0 Billion
USDA Economic Research Service

U.S. agricultural exports in fiscal year (FY) 2023 are projected at $193.5 billion, down $2.5 billion from the revised forecast for FY 2022. This decrease is primarily driven by lower exports of cotton, beef, and sorghum that are partially offset by higher exports of soybeans and horticultural products. Cotton exports are forecast down $1.8 billion due to drought-slashed exportable volumes. Beef exports are forecast down $1.1 billion due to tight U.S. supplies. Overall livestock, poultry, and dairy exports are projected at $41.1 billion, down $1.5 billion. Sorghum exports are forecast at $2.0 billion, down $700 million, on sharply lower exportable supplies. Total grain and feed exports are forecast down $1.3 billion to $46.5 billion; in addition to sorghum, wheat exports are forecast down $300 million on lower unit values. Soybean exports are forecast up $2.2 billion to a record $35.2 billion on higher prices. Horticulture exports are raised $400 million to $39.5 billion as higher exports of fresh and processed fruits and vegetables more than offset a decline in tree nut exports. Ethanol exports are unchanged at $4.2 billion. Agricultural exports to China are forecast at $36.0 billion, unchanged from FY 2022, as higher soybean exports offset lower cotton and sorghum prospects. Agricultural exports to Canada and Mexico are forecast at $28.5 billion each, also unchanged from FY 2022.

For FY 2022, the export estimate of a record $196.0 billion represents an increase of $5.0 billion from May’s projection, mainly due to increases in livestock, poultry, and dairy exports. In FY 2023, total agricultural imports are expected to increase $5.0 billion above the FY 2022 forecast—to $197.0 billion—due to higher imports of grains and feed products, horticultural products, and sugar and tropical products. Total imports in FY 2022 are expected to be $11.5 billion more than the May forecast and $28.7 billion more than FY 2021. If realized, the 18-percent jump in import values in FY 2022 would be the largest year-over-year percentage increase since FY 2011. The historically large increase from FY 2021 to FY 2022 is a product of the unwavering upward trend of import volumes in the face of increasing unit values for nearly every agricultural import product group.

The forecasts in this report are based on policies in effect at the time of the August 12, 2022, World Agricultural Supply and Demand Estimates (WASDE) release, and the U.S. production forecasts thereof.



USDA Awards More Than $11.2 Million in Funding to Strengthen Markets for U.S. Agricultural Products

The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Agricultural Marketing Service today awarded more than $11.2 million to 22 grant projects to strengthen and explore new market opportunities for U.S. food and agricultural products. The funding is made possible through three grant programs administered by the Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS): the Acer Access and Development Program (Acer), the Federal State Marketing Improvement Program (FSMIP), and the  Micro-Grants for Food Security Program (MGFSP).

“USDA is excited about funding projects that improve access to fresh, locally sourced food and strengthen market opportunities for local and regional producers through the Acer Program, the Federal State Marketing Improvement Program, and the Micro-Grants for Food Security Program,” said USDA Under Secretary for Marketing and Regulatory Programs Jenny Lester Moffitt. “USDA is committed to supporting states and territories as they administer these programs across the nation.”

Through the Acer program, USDA (or AMS) is awarding $5.9 million to fund 12 projects. Acer projects aim to improve consumer knowledge, awareness and understanding of the maple syrup industry and its products. This year’s funds are being distributed to four Market Development and Promotion projects and eight Producer and Landowner Education projects to increase market opportunities for the domestic maple syrup industry. The program also supports projects that advance producer knowledge, awareness and understanding of research, educational resources, or natural resource sustainability practices affecting the maple syrup industry and its products. Acer funding is authorized by the 2018 Farm Bill.

Through FSMIP, USDA is awarding more than $1 million to five projects to explore new market opportunities for U.S. food and agricultural products and to encourage research and innovation aimed at improving marketing system efficiency and performance. The program supports state departments of agriculture, state agricultural experiment stations, and other appropriate state agencies. FSMIP is authorized by the Agricultural Marketing Act of 1946,

Through MGFSP, USDA is awarding $4.4 million to agricultural agencies in Alaska, American Samoa, Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, Guam, and Hawaii to increase the quantity and quality of locally grown food through small-scale gardening, herding, and livestock operations. The goal of the program is to support communities across the U.S. that have significant levels of food insecurity and import significant quantities of food. MGFSP is authorized through the 2018 Farm Bill.

AMS supports U.S. food and agricultural product market opportunities, while increasing consumer access to fresh, healthy foods through applied research, technical services, and congressionally funded grants.  To learn more about AMS’s investments in enhancing and strengthening agricultural systems, visit www.ams.usda.gov/grants.



Ready to Roll for Harvest? NCYC Yield Results Open for Submission

As farmers ready their combines to roll, the National Corn Growers Association (NCGA) reminds them of one important step  – submitting yield results of your contest entries in the 2022 National Corn Yield Contest. While harvest may seem a ways off for some, we ask that harvest results be submitted no later than two weeks after harvest or by the contest deadline of November 30 to be included in the 2022 rankings.

The contest winners will be announced on December 14.

Enter your harvest results online, click here https://ncga.com/get-involved/national-corn-yield-contest.

NCGA challenges you to take advantage of this opportunity to explore new ideas and production technologies while gleaning knowledge to enhance your future yield potential. Winners will receive national recognition in publications, such as the NCYC Corn Yield Guide, as well as other awards from participating sponsoring seed, chemical and crop protection companies.  winners will be honored at Commodity Classic in Orlando, Florida in March of 2023.



U.S. Wheat Associates Names Peter Laudeman Director of Trade Policy

Peter Laudeman has joined U.S. Wheat Associates (USW) as Director of Trade Policy. He is a government affairs professional with more than four years of experience in trade association and corporate policy advocacy. He joined USW August 20, 2022.

“I am excited to welcome Peter Laudeman to the USW team. He brings a diverse set of experiences working for both growers and the crop protection industry which will serve him well in the trade policy role,” said Dalton Henry, USW Vice President of Policy. “In addition to traditional trade policy, we look forward to Peter’s leadership on Food Assistance and Development as well as the use and adoption of technology by U.S. wheat farmers.”

Laudeman most recently served as Political Affairs Manager with Corteva Agriscience in Washington, D.C., where he led the biotechnology issues portfolio and the company’s carbon and ecosystem services advocacy.

Before joining Corteva, Laudeman was a Legislative Assistant with the National Corn Growers Association (NCGA). There he supported NCGA’s advocacy work on the 2018 Farm Bill and led policy research and economic analysis related to farm programs.

His first position in Washington, D.C., was as a Legislative Intern in the office of Illinois Congressman Darin LaHood.

Laudeman grew up in Sherman, Ill., and earned a bachelor of science degree in agricultural economics from the University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign, in 2018.



Ralph Loos Joins U.S. Wheat Associates as Director of Communications

U.S. Wheat Associates (USW), Arlington, Va., has hired Ralph Loos as Director of Communications. He comes to the organization with nearly 14 years of experience in agriculture communications, serving both the grain and livestock industries. He replaces Amanda Spoo who left USW for another position in July.

“Ralph’s experience working with USDA Foreign Agricultural Service cooperator organizations and his enthusiasm for the marketing communications profession is a great fit for U.S. Wheat Associates,” said USW Vice President of Communications Steve Mercer. “I think the wheat farmers we represent in overseas markets, our state wheat commission members and his colleagues are going to be very pleased with his work.”

Raised on his family's farm in southern Illinois, Loos paid his way through college as a newspaper reporter and editor. He earned a bachelor’s degree in journalism and mass communications from Southern Illinois University in 2008.

Loos began his ag career as Communications Specialist for the U.S. Soybean Export Council. He then worked as Editor and Communications Manager for the American Sheep Industry Association, where he produced a monthly magazine for sheep producers and helped launch the association's social media platforms.

In 2015, Loos joined the U.S. Meat Export Federation (USMEF) as its Communications Director. Along with creating written content, Ralph worked closely with USMEF staff around the world to produce video segments for the organization's internal and external audiences.

In August 2021, Loos took a year-long leave from ag communications to work as Communications Manager for a Denver-based healthcare startup that specializes in staffing public health departments and setting up emergency COVID testing and vaccination clinics.

“While I valued the healthcare communications experience, I am happy to return to my roots and look forward to doing what I can to help support the U.S. wheat industry,” Loos said.



Pivot Bio Launches the First-Ever On-Seed Nitrogen

Pivot Bio launched today an entirely new class of products that integrates nitrogen seamlessly with the seed during planting. The first-ever product to deliver nitrogen-producing microbes on the seed for crops like corn, sorghum, and spring wheat, PROVEN® 40 On-Seed (OS) and RETURN® On-Seed provide growers with nitrogen that is better for their farms and the environment. The company also announced its 2022 year-end results today. Pivot Bio exceeded $50 million in revenue and sold more than 3 million crop acres, growing three-fold year-over-year.

“Pivot Bio PROVEN® 40 On-Seed and RETURN® On-Seed support growers to be more resilient and offer them more control while expanding agriculture’s positive impact on the world with better nitrogen,” said Karsten Temme, Ph.D., Pivot Bio co-founder and CEO. “This class of products makes our nitrogen-producing microbes available to every grower across the United States. There’s no special equipment required, and growers no longer must rely solely on a third-party to apply the nitrogen their crops need.”

The only on-seed application of microbial nitrogen on the market, PROVEN® 40 OS and RETURN® OS enhances the crops’ potential all season long by providing an efficient and dependable 24/7 nitrogen source with no loss to leaching, denitrification, or volatilization. Unlike synthetic nitrogen, Pivot Bio’s microbes give growers confidence that this source of nitrogen reaches the crop. When growers use synthetic nitrogen, they must overapply to compensate for the 40-60% that never reaches the crop. Pivot Bio’s microbes adhere to the root of the plant without any waste, providing nitrogen throughout the critical growing cycle.

Pivot Bio recently completed the broadest U.S. in-plant nitrogen study conducted in a single growing season, measuring and verifying product performance across more than 2,100 on-farm fields, encompassing 1.3 million acres. To date, side-by-side comparisons show that the plants where Pivot Bio microbes were used have 14% more nitrogen in the plant and 12% more plant biomass compared to untreated plants, demonstrating the nitrogen efficacy of Pivot Bio’s products. More nitrogen in the plant leads to healthier and more resilient crops.

“Based on the demand we’ve experienced in prior years and the intense interest in our product as we open 2023 sales, it is clear to us that growers are looking for a dependable source of nitrogen,” said Temme. “We have provided a microbe-based nitrogen that is produced in the U.S. This nitrogen empowers growers to apply it at the time of planting, so they are in control in a profession where so many variables are beyond their control.”

Shoring up the supply chain and offering a sustainable source of nitrogen are key priorities at Pivot Bio. From global fertilizer shortages to a delayed planting season impacting this year’s crop performance, growers can look to Pivot Bio for something more reliable. Being 100% made in America gives growers more stability and is less vulnerable to global supply chain disruptions and volatile markets. About one gallon of PROVEN® 40 OS or RETURN® OS can replace the equivalent of a train car full of anhydrous ammonia fertilizer, in contrast to the high-energy, fuel intensive roduction and supply chains required for synthetic nitrogen.

Annually, 140 million tons of synthetic nitrogen is manufactured using about 2% of the world’s energy. Synthetic nitrogen is credited for feeding about 3.5 billion people, yet it’s an inefficient delivery of nutrition to the crop. About half of what’s produced is lost to the environment, emitting about one trillion pounds of CO2 each year, impacting air quality.

“Synthetic nitrogen has supported life for one hundred years, and now is the time to evolve into the next generation of crop nutrition. Farmers need better nitrogen to help restore the planet and one that is more efficient,” said Temme. “Pivot Bio’s nitrogen has the potential to power the next century of agriculture and support generations to come.”



Land O’Lakes, Inc. Positioned to Support Carbon-curious Farmers

Land O’Lakes, Inc., one of America’s largest farmer-owned cooperatives, is encouraging more farmers to adopt regenerative farming practices by working to remove one of the biggest barriers – fear of lost profitability and productivity of their acres.
 
This effort is made possible because of the synergies of its businesses and the strength of its ag retail network. With Truterra’s work in supporting farmers with sustainable practices, WinField United’s scientific approach to crop management and the expertise of local ag retailers, the Land O’Lakes cooperative system is ready to help mitigate the risk associated with converting to more climate smart practices.

How it works for interested farmers
    Farmers can start by inquiring about the Truterra™ market access program at their local ag retailer to understand options for their fields.
    For those interested in exploring first-time practice change such as cover crops or reducing tillage to position fields for future carbon market eligibility, qualified growers may be eligible to receive $2/acre to set this baseline.
    This $2/acre incentive is to support farmers interested in participating in ecosystem markets and learn more about potential carbon market opportunities in the future.
    In addition, farmers have the opportunity to participate in the WinField United Advanced Acre® Rx prescription plan[1] a component of which provides a warranty to offset part of the risk of this practice change implementation.
    For farmers more advanced in their sustainability journey, eligibility for the Truterra™ carbon program, could pay up to $25/tonne of sequestered CO2.
 
“When it comes to sustainable farming, we know that one of the biggest barriers to entry for farmers considering carbon or other ecosystem services markets is the risk of lost income associated with converting to climate-smart production practices,” said Jason Weller, Vice President, Truterra. “We are thrilled to be working in collaboration with our retail-owners to bring this innovative program to farmers to help them manage risk and maximize natural resources to generate a potential return on investment. Not only that, but by working through our farmer cooperative system, participants can have peace-of-mind that they are getting holistic agronomic, conservation, and carbon market support.”
 
The goal of the program is to create a pathway for farmers to improve their soil health and potentially become eligible for future market opportunities through Truterra and WinField United as a result of continuous cover and/or tillage changes. For example, through Truterra’s most recent carbon offer, participating farmers can earn up to $25 per tonne of sequestered CO2 upfront for new carbon stored in soils, with a contract designed to help maximize farmers’ earning potential and flexibility.
 
While Truterra has proven to be a leader in providing farmer-driven carbon programs, this marks the first time its offerings are marketed together with the WinField United Advanced Acre® Rx prescription plan to further demonstrate that sustainability and profitability can go hand-in-hand for farmers. The agronomic prescription service, Advanced Acre Rx, uses data and insights specific to how and where farmers are operating with the goal to increase profit potential per acre and lower per-bushel costs for corn and soybeans. All options in the Advanced Acre Rx program include an agronomic plan; including products and ag technology recommendations, with a service warranty for performance.
 
“Together with our owners, Land O’Lakes and its businesses are committed to supporting farmer productivity and profitability by helping reduce risk while simultaneously creating new markets that value how farmers manage their fields as much as final yields,” said Brett Bruggeman, President, WinField United. “We are marching ahead together with a go-to-market approach aimed at enhancing the relevance of our locally owned retail network and securing a bright future for the farmers of tomorrow.”
 
Land O’Lakes is committed to investing in programs, tools and support that drive voluntary practice changes that not only contribute to the health of the planet, but also position farmers and the agriculture sector for success in a challenging operating environment.
 
To learn more and to get started, growers can visit their local Truterra retailer.



Solinftec continues to revolutionize sustainable farm practices

Solinftec, a global leader in agricultural digitalization, has today announced that it is expanding its Solix Ag Robotics offerings. In addition to its Solix Scouting robot, the company has unveiled its Solix Sprayer robot designed to detect and spray weeds. In partnership with the award-winning manufacturing, research, and development company, McKinney Corporation, who will produce and manufacture the Solix spray robot, this new cutting-edge technology is slated to become commercially available in 2023 to the entire agricultural market including farmers, cooperatives, and ag-retailers.
 
“Solinftec’s partnership with McKinney Corporation will positively impact our ability to market and deliver Solix Ag Robotics by consolidating Solix's scalability and accelerating service to the -North American markets,” shared Leonardo Carvalho, Solinftec’s director of operations. “It also supports Solinftec's goal of making this technology available globally.”
 
A leading innovator and pioneer in the AgTech space, and champion for sustainable farm practices, Solinftec has designed its scouting and sprayer robots to help producers reduce their chemical inputs and deliver a lower carbon footprint and environmental impact.
 
The new Solix Sprayer robot will provide autonomous and sustainable spot-spray applications on grower’s fields. Similar to the Solix Scouting robot, the spray robot is powered by four solar panels that control the drive system and the spray system while providing reports on crop populations, weed identification and densities, disease identification and thresholds, insect identification and thresholds, nutrient deficiency identification and densities, NDVI among other layers of maps for data analysis, and much more useful data to the grower virtually 24/7.
The Solix spray robot will provide weed spot-spray maps with analysis on inputs saved and can services up to 96 acres per day depending on the field shape and terrain.
 
With a goal to change agriculture in order to transform the world, the need and priority to feed the world on a larger scale with a smaller impact has made Solinftec seek out new ways to reimagine agriculture. A Brazil-founded company with its U.S. offices in Indiana, Solinftec is revolutionizing how farmers run their business with end-to-end mission critical solutions, generating up to 70% efficiency improvements by turning data into action. With more than 15 years of experience developing digital ag solutions throughout various geographies and crops around the world, the Solix Ag Robotics, connected and integrated with Solinftec’s innovative ALICE AI platform, works together to orchestrate machine operations and calculates producers’ ultimate needs and objectives and delivers real-time actionable recommendations and actions in a more eco-friendly way.
 
“Solinftec focuses on really solving structural problems in agricultural management and offers solutions that truly promote low-impact agriculture and not only measure or certify the footprint but offers a real solution to reduce your impact,” shared Carvalho. “Weed detection is a leading issue in fields across the North America and the Solix Sprayer is designed to not only monitor and scan fields like the original scouting version, but detect and manage weeds with technology which allows the device to spot-spray into the plant instead of from above, eliminating drift and soil compaction caused by larger machines and help lower environmental impact.”
 
Pilots for the Solix models are currently running in North America in partnership with the ag cooperative GROWMARK, Purdue University in the U.S., and Stone Farms and University of Saskatchewan in Saskatoon, SK, Canada.
 
In Brazil, the Solix Scouting robot has been manufactured and produced by cutting-edge electronics manufacturing service company, Hi-Mix Eletrônicos and has been commercially available since last April.
 
"Since the beginning, we have identified a strong culture in Solinftec to the agriculture market, investing heavily in R&D, plus a determination for quality, flexibility and agility for the best time to market,” shared Daniel Carvalho, co-founder Hi-Mix Eletrônicos S/A. "Hi-Mix is proud to work with Solinftec, a company always looking for state-of-the-art in its products and solutions."