You're Still In Control

We know what you're thinking. "What if I want to make a change, or if I lose the signal? Am I at the whim of some computer and satellite signal?"

Rest assured, with a Fieldstar system, you're always in control. In fact, you can over-ride the prescribed application plan anytime want. A touch of the screen lets you increase or decrease the pre-programmed seeding rate in 2% increments up to a maximum increase of decrease of 20%.

All your current planting information is also recorded form the sensor to the data card as an "as-applied" map format. Therefore, any changes are not overlooked and data is recorded.

Should you lose the DGPS signal while planting, the controller automatically reverts to the default planting rate, or the standard rate you would normally use on the whole field. Of course you can also operate the Fieldstar system in the manual mode when planting fields that haven't been mapped.

You always know where you are in the field, too. As you plant, the application map is displayed in black and white on the terminal screen as a reference, while a moving cursor indicates the position of your tractor and planter in the field.

The Sky is The Limit With "Virtual Implement"

Considering how easily the Fieldstar terminal and DGPS receiver can be transferred from one piece of equipment to another, you'll find a variety of precision agriculture applications that fit that system... particularly when you consider that FIELDSTAR is the only system on the market with Virtual Implement Control.

This unique screen allows you to use FIELDSTAR with many tractor drawn applications, including crop spraying, fertilizing, manure application or tillage. Take site-specific deep tillage as an example. Using a map on which you've noted problem areas either via low yields on a yield map, or markers on a marker overlaid map, you can pinpoint the exact location in the field that needs ripping or extra-deep tillage. In fact, using the DGPS signal, the Fieldstar unit will direct you through every grid area that needs attention.

The same goes for insect control, or even weed control. If you're willing to set a constant output on a sprayer or applicator, and regulate your travel speed in response to the DGPS signal and your application plan, FIELDSTAR can greatly improve your management skills... even without a sprayer controller capable of variable-rate applications.

Say you want to apply chemicals with your own pull-type sprayer. Simply enter the spray width, appropriate information about your sprayer (such as nozzle size, flow rate, etc.) along with your target application rate. FIELDSTAR will plot your position in the field and indicate the target speed you need to drive in order to apply the desired rate specified by your application plan.

Similarly, you can use FIELDSTAR to apply the desired amount of manure to an area with you PTO-driven slurry spreader. Just input the pertinent data (nutrient level) using the Office Package software, produce your application plan an transfer it to the DataTOUCH terminal. It will then display the ground speed needed to match your variable-rate plan.

The Fieldstar system's greatest asset, though, may not be the control it offers, but rather its record keeping ability. Consider, for instance, the increasing regulations being put on chemical and bio-solids (manure) applications. Farmers are becoming increasingly liable for chemicals, fertilizers and animal waste that make their way into watersheds.

Thanks to the use of Fieldstar application maps and "as applied" maps, you now have the security of having data collection records and knowing your protected the environment is as valuable as the benefits of precision management.