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Technology in the cab lets this Indiana farmer make comparisons in real time.

Tom J Bechman 1, Editor, Indiana Prairie Farmer

December 16, 2019

3 Min Read
Henry Buell in cab using Climate FieldView on iPad
INFO ON THE GO: Henry Buell can call up maps and information from any field and make comparisons right in the cab using Climate FieldView.

Does it matter where you plant a specific hybrid or variety on your farm? Many seed company reps will tell you that it does. How do you know for sure?

Spend some time riding with Henry Buell, Clay City, Ind., in the combine cab and he can show you the answer on his farm. His Climate FieldView software can compare one hybrid with another, and not only within one field but also across each soil type on the farm.

The more layers of information Buell inputs into the database, the more analyses he can do. And if he has a few minutes to spare, he can show you right in the cab.

“I’ve been using FieldView for a long time,” he says. “It’s helped me learn a lot because I can make easy comparisons between hybrids, varieties and also production practices.”

Today, FieldView is a product of The Climate Corporation. Buell uses it as his yield monitor on the combine, although he still records mapping information on his John Deere system, too.

FieldView goes with him in the cab as he plants and sprays. He even gets weather information on his farm through the system.

Simplifies decisions

The system works because through cellular connections, information goes straight from the cab to the cloud. He can access data and make comparisons in the field or on his computer in the office.

“I may not use 2019 corn hybrid comparisons much for making decisions. We planted late, and then it got very dry,” Buell says. “But the information is there if I want it.

“Soybeans performed well, however. Being able to track yield carefully helped me determine that I saw a significant advantage for applying fungicides in soybeans this year.”

Buell typically plants Dekalb corn and Asgrow soybeans. Working through the company, he can access data on recommendations for his farm.

Buell no-tills and varies seeding rate on corn. “I learned that variable-rate seeding pays primarily by using FieldView and experimenting and comparing over the years,” he says.

Climate FieldView on iPad

POWERFUL, PORTABLE: Yield monitor information displays on this screen set up to use Climate’s FieldView software. FieldView can also be used to make various comparisons.

One unique thing Buell can do is use FieldView in the spring to set up variable-rate planting prescriptions. And he can do it just minutes before he’s ready to plant. “FieldView can do it for me, based on information about the field and parameters I set,” he explains.

“Occasionally, it may recommend up to 40,000 seeds per acre in one location,” Buell continues. “If I don’t want to plant that thick, I can manually adjust it back. It’s a real time-saver for setting up prescription maps.”

Buell prefers splitting his 16-row planter and going with one hybrid on one side and a different hybrid on the other. “That limits me to the same variable seeding rate for each hybrid since I prepare prescriptions just before I plant,” he says.

His planter could vary seeding rate row by row in theory. He’s found that varying rate across the planter, even with two hybrids, to match production ability within areas of the field works for him.

Learn more about FieldView at climate.com.

About the Author(s)

Tom J Bechman 1

Editor, Indiana Prairie Farmer

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