About the webinar
Improving on-farm operational efficiency is the focus of the GRDC funded project ‘On-farm Operations Optimisation’ which is being jointly conducted by Verge Ag and ACTFA. Over the past few months the project team has engaged 16 growers from around Australia to road test the tools being developed and work with Verge Ag to improve and develop new features.
On-Farm Operations Optimisation
In the initial grower engagement phase of the project, it quickly became clear that a well-organized digital farm significantly enhances the efficiency and accuracy of outputs from operation planning tools like Launch Pad.
A “digital farm” begins with setting up consistent grower/farm/field names and boundaries in the farm machine guidance systems, for example the harvester. A well-organized management tree will also improve data accuracy and compatibility when transferring data to and from digital farm management decision support systems.
The webinar which took place on 24 September 2024 discussed why setting up the digital farm was important, how to tidy up the digital farm in CNH FieldOps platform ready for harvest, and the opportunities tools like Launch Pad provide using this information for machinery path planning and improving operational efficiency.
You can view the webinar in two parts:
PART 1
Ian Beecher Jones from New Holland Precision Ag Software Support explains why establishing a well-organized digital farm is a crucial first step for optimizing farm operations and shares some practical tips to organise the management tree, boundaries and AB lines in FieldOps (previously PLM Connect).
PART 2
Godard (Verge Ag) and Ed Scott (Field Systems) discuss Verge Ag’s Launch Pad, a path planning tool that guides users through the different stages of planning, execution and validation.
The workflow involves interaction with digital field boundaries, simulating machinery movement, and analysing data to determine an optimal coverage pattern for machinery. Factors like topography and wheel traffic area can also be included in designing path plans.
The product integrates with OEM providers like John Deere Operation Center, CNH FieldOps and Trimble Ag Online, allowing for easy import of boundaries into the system.
The tool is being developed by Verge Ag’s GRDC funded project VER2304-001RTX in partnership with ACTFA. A lead user group of 16 growers and a team of consultants has been established to road test and guide the development of the tools for the Australian grains industry.