Farms.com Precision Agriculture Digital Digest | Winter 2024/2025

08 While many people wonder if having to learn a new technology is just another way of developing a headache, the WM-FieldForm was developed to be simple to use. Featuring an intuitive workflow and step-by-step guides, farmers will be able to quickly master the intricacies of the system to achieve optimal results. Making it Work for You Regardless of water access, Watkins said that farmers who use the WM-FieldForm system have the potential to significantly impact their bottom line and that they will see improved yield performance (potentially) and cost savings in the first year from more effective and efficient water use. So how does it work? Well... INITIAL ASSESSMENT Farmers will need to begin by conducting a detailed topographic survey of their field using RTK measurements. RTK, aka Real-Time Kinematic measurements, is a satellite navigation technique that can provide centimeter-level accuracy. This will create an accurate map of your field’s surface, capturing all the elevations and depressions. Data collection of the farm’s soil type, existing irrigation system, and crop rotation patterns will help design the optimal landform. SYSTEM SETUP OF HARDWARE AND SOFTWARE Install the WM-FieldForm system—hardware—including the GFX-1260 display and the NAV-900 guidance controller, on your machinery. For the software configuration, integrate the Precision-IQ application on your display device. This software will help you visualize the field and create landforming designs. DESIGN PHASE Now comes the field design aspect. Use the topographic data and software tools to create an optimized field surface drainage design. Define primary and cross slopes, set prescribed orientations, and establish preferred grades. For dirt balancing, apply WM-FieldForm’s dirt-balancing algorithms to minimize topsoil disturbance and ensure sustainable landforming practices. EXECUTION Next, prepare the field by removing any obstacles that could hinder the landforming process. Then use the WM-FieldForm system to control single scrapers and carry out the grading, leveling, and terracing of your field as per the design. The high-precision GNSS positioning will ensure accuracy throughout the process. Verification and adjustment will be needed after completing the landforming process. Perform another survey to verify the accuracy of the new field surface. Make any necessary adjustments to ensure optimal water management. Monitoring and maintenance of the field regularly will ensure the landforming design continues to support efficient water movement and crop growth. Perform maintenance as needed to keep the system running smoothly. The WM-FieldForm has been developed to be an effective water management toolset that will help farmers move forward using an accurate water management technology and landforming solution. Andrew Sunderman, the General Manager of PTx Trimble, had this to say about the WM-FieldForm: “We know farmers are looking for products and tools that can help them do more with less, which is why we’ve invested in WM-FieldForm to continue our legacy of water management innovation and development.” Sundermann continued, adding that PTx is hyped about the results achieved. “We’re excited to share new features, updated functionality, and, even more importantly, to advance our water management technologies and make them more accessible for farmers to improve the accuracy and impact of landforming projects and optimize water distribution across their fields.” Watch this video to learn more. | pag WATCH THE VIDEO

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