Results are in for the World Ag Expo Top-10 New Products Competition and it’s an impressive list of cutting-edge, cost-saving, and resource-managing products by exhibitors of the largest annual agricultural show of its kind. The contest judges were made up of farmers, ranchers, and industry professionals.
The competition, sponsored by Bank of America, is conducted annually by the International Agri-Center in conjunction with World Ag Expo, which draws more than 1,400 exhibitors and an estimated annual average of 100,000 individuals from 70 countries.
Below are the winners that will be showcased February 13-15, 2018, during the World Ag Expo in Tulare, California.
GUSS – GUSS (Global Unmanned Spray System)
Kingsburg, CA
GUSS (Global Unmanned Spray System) is the world’s first fully autonomous, driverless orchard sprayer. GUSS can be used to spray almond, pistachio, walnut, citrus, and stone fruit trees. It utilizes GPS, lasers, and other vehicle sensors to guide itself through orchard rows. A single operator in a control van can monitor four to eight GUSS sprayers at a time. A data file depicting coverage, speed, products applied, and application rate is provided to the grower upon completion of the spray job.
ANDROS – MEGABINDER LRV
Paso Robles, CA
The ANDROS MegaBinder LRV is the fastest and most efficient Ag Film recycling system on the market. The MegaBinder retrieves and compacts Drip-tape and Mulch film into dense, uniform rolls for easy handling. Extremely efficient film retrieval results in less operator fatigue and lower operational costs. The MegaBinder is offered in 4 models, 3pt. tractor-powered, Pull-behind tractor powered, Pull behind w/self-contained power supply, and Goose-neck or bumper pull models w/self-contained power supply, and hydraulic multi-roll dumping platform. The MegaBinder is equipped with the “ANDROS PCG 3D” retrieval head that allows growers to add multiple lines of film or drip-tape on-the-fly. This feature allows the operator to feed new lines into the retrieval head without having to stop the retrieval process or tie ends together.
Metalcraft of Ga, Inc. – Metalcraft 2614 TILT
Louisville, GA
The Metalcraft TILT scraper saves time and money by utilizing tilt sensors and GPS controls to create precision slopes without the extra expense of bulldozers and motor graders. The in-cab touch screen operators have the ability to select from three modes of operation: Manual, Auto Slope, or Auto GPS. The Metalcraft system utilizes the tractors solenoid switches to operate all scraper functions and will work with any brand of GPS controller.
Lindsay Corporation – Pivot Control Lite
Omaha, NE
Pivot Control Lite from FieldNET by Lindsay is a simple, cost-effective add-on option for remote monitoring and control of almost any brand of electric center pivot. Utilizing FieldNET by Lindsay technology, this easy-to-use, low cost solution delivers many advanced irrigation management capabilities that previously were only available with more expensive and complex solutions. It is an especially great solution for growers who are operating multiple brands of pivots or pivots on leased land, where they have no ownership of the pivot but want the benefits of remote monitoring and control. Pivot Control Lite includes an integrated cellular modem and on-board GPS, giving growers the ability to precisely control the amount of water that is applied – avoiding over-watering and decreasing unnecessary pumping costs.
Cargill Animal Nutrition – Reveal Analysis
Elk River, MN
Reveal Analysis service from Cargill is the first to offer instant, lab quality forage analysis via a convenient handheld device and smartphone app. By combining Cargill’s global forage database with SCiO, the world’s first pocket-sized connected micro-spectrometer, dairy producers now have the power of a lab in the palm of their hands. Industry experts have identified improved dry matter management as a top area of opportunity for improving feed efficiency. Dairy producers can now quickly determine the dry matter of their forage to make ration adjustments in real-time. The service empowers users to analyze an unlimited number of forage samples. Forage can be analyzed by anyone on the farm, at any time. The app saves an electronic record of each analysis that can be conveniently labeled and shared via text or email.
Hydrox Technologies – Solar Shrink Mulch Film
Sumner Park, Queensland, Australia
Solar Shrink plastic mulch film, developed by Hydrox Technologies in Australia, is manufactured to have shrinking forces trapped into the plastic so that, after laying sunlight heats the plastic and causes it to shrink tightly to the growing bed, preventing the sheet from flapping in the wind. A tight sheet transmits more heat to the soil allowing for an earlier start to the season and prevents the sheet from billowing in the wind, which pumps out heat and moisture from beneath the sheet. The friction caused by a loosely laid, flapping sheet rubbing against the plant causes damage allowing disease to gain hold. In addition, Hydrox’s unique manufacturing process makes Solar Shrink up to 200% stronger, 35% thinner, and 25% more cost effective and environmentally friendlier compared to any other mulch film available.
Sweco Products Inc. – Sweco Orchard Master
Sutter, CA
The Sweco Orchard Master is a 3 point mounted product that can be pulled behind a minimum 80+hp orchard tractor. The Orchard Master is designed to incorporate any weeds or harvesting debris into the soil using a newly designed ground driven incorporating roller. This ground driven incorporating roller follows a series of rippers that open the ground for it to break up the soil and incorporate the debris. The Sweco Orchard Master leaves a final product that has been tilled, leveled, and rolled. This machine is designed to eliminate the growers need to use a mower, disc, land plane, and roller.
Truck Claws – TruckClaws /TruckClawsII / TruckClaws Quick Connect
Harrisonburg, VA
“TruckClaws are a patent-pending, all-season truck traction aid to help drivers get unstuck, saving them time and the expense of tow truck services. Simple to use and easy to install, TruckClaws feature a traction cleat that attaches to a drive tire on the rear of a vehicle with a customized reinforced strap and heavy-duty ratchet. It takes less than 60 seconds to install each claw. The devices can free a truck stuck in mud, snow, ice, and sand and may be installed over tire chains but also work great without them. You can even add multiple TruckClaws to each tire for even more traction!
Environmental Technologies Inc – Thymox Footbath 1p
Selah, WA
Thymox is a highly concentrated liquid footbath effective at controlling hairy heel warts (digital dermatitis). Hairy heel warts (Digital Dermatitis, a highly contagious infection) have been plaguing the life of dairy farmers for over 30 years, and the disease is now the second most costly infectious disease found in dairies, after mastitis. Thymox Footbath 1P is a replacement solution for dairy farmers who want to protect their health and their land. Unlike Copper Sulfate and Formalin, Thymox Footbath 1P has the advantage of not burning the skin. It instead allows the wounds to heal naturally.
Eno Scientific LLC – Well Watch 700
Hillsborough, NC
The Well Watch 700 is an intelligent water well management system for agricultural applications. The sensor monitors water levels using sound waves, providing real time level data down to 7000 ft. The controller allows for easy integration into any telemetry/SCADA system along with data logging, resource management, and pump control capabilities. One of the many reasons this product is so groundbreaking is that it is all non-contact. The hardware is easy to install, external to the well and built to last. There is no risk of well contamination, no well decommissioning during installation and no equipment to risk being sucked into the pump.
