Plant breeders collect and apply pollen one plant at a time. Scaling that process to full fields of seed corn once seemed unlikely, but PowerPollen in Ames, Iowa, has been working on it since 2015.
Now, the adage, “If you can prove the concept works, someone will build equipment to make it happen” comes true again. Oxbo of Byron, N.Y., a leader in producing self-propelled machines for the seed industry, and PowerPollen teamed up to introduce the first mechanized pollination solution for seed corn production.
Utilizing PowerPollen’s patented system, new commercial equipment allows growers to collect and preserve pollen, and then apply it at the optimal time, rather than relying on Mother Nature.
“Partnering with PowerPollen allows us to deliver a step-change technology that gives seed companies more control over their outcomes,” said Joe Perzia, president of high-value crops at Oxbo. “It’s a natural extension of our trusted chassis platform and reflects Oxbo’s commitment to driving innovation in specialty agriculture.”
See oxbo.com and powerpollen.com.
Engineering group awards winning technologies
The American Society of Agricultural and Biological Engineers recently recognized the best innovations in agricultural technology through their AE50 awards programs. Here is a closer look at a few of these technologies.
SenseApply from Case IH. This takes variable rate to a whole new level, allowing automated variable-rate application on the go at speeds up to 25 mph for some functions, and up to 19 mph for spraying. Variable rate works with various inputs, including nitrogen application and fungicides.
A single camera mounted on the cab covering the width of the application boom makes automated variable-rate application possible. With an upgrade to Selective Spray, the camera also allows for green-on-brown, targeted spot spraying. A minimum of three nozzles are activated to ensure weeds are sprayed properly. Spokespersons note that both Sense Apply and Selective Spray are available on new factory models and can be retrofitted on model year ’23 and newer Patriot and Trident machines.
MiraSense from Precision Planting. Plant through diverse seed sizes with this innovation from an Agco company. An optical seed sensor utilizing optimized LEDs and firmware accurately detects a wide range of seed sizes. That eliminates switching sensors between crops. MiraSense can also tell seeds from dust particles.
Seedbed Sense Speed Control from Case IH. Monitor seedbed conditions in real time with this technology available on the Case IH Tiger-Mate 255 field cultivator. The unit adjusts tractor speed to maintain a consistent seedbed floor. Shank-mounted sensor provide automatic feedback in the cab.
PTx Trimble OutRun Tillage. A retrofit autonomy kit for existing tractors enables fully driverless tillage. This Agco technology expands OutRun autonomy beyond grain carts to tillage operations. Control and monitor autonomous tillage via a smartphone app.
Sensing cable makes a grain monitoring breakthrough
OPI says its OMNI 3-in-1 Cable for grain bins is nothing short of groundbreaking. For the first time, an integrated sensing cable can deliver real-time temperature, moisture and grain inventory level monitoring in a single device.
Adam Weiss, CEO of OPI, said benefits include lower operating and implementation costs, ability to detect problem areas, and single views of comprehensive data. Plus, it delivers reliable performance in any condition year round. Learn more at opisystems.com.