No more "gee" and "haw"

I am in Denver Monday and Tuesday this week for a media introduction to the latest GPS guidance and precision farming products from Trimble. Before going to the airport, I stopped in for lunch with my grandma. When I explained where I was going and why, she was amazed at the advancements of hands-free steering in farming technology. "Well, I guess there's no more "gee" and "haw"," she said.

I, being a good grandson, laughed spontaneously at her joke. Then I stalled in silence for a few moments while my brain tried, and failed, to compute what she said. Finally, sheepishly, I said, "Ahh, what do you mean?"

Turns out "gee" and "haw" are the commands you give the horse pulling the plow. They mean "left" and "right."

Well, grandma's right: gee and haw are long gone. Trimble announced a new AgGPS FmX integrated display that combines a big screen touchscreen monitor, two GPS and Glosnass receivers, integrated radio for RTK, and supports for Autopilot, EZ-Steer, EZ-Boom and other systems. FmX combines what used to be four separate components, cluttering up the cab, into one. That is the top product in the 2009 launch.

I asked Roy Wood, Trimble regional sales manager for Western Canada, and Dave Giannotti, founder of PAT Inc. in Killarney, Man., what they thought was the most important new product for their sales and their customers. They said it was the variable rate upgrade program for EZ-Guide 500. EZ-Guide 500 has a lightbar at the top, a mapping screen at the bottom, and capabilities for OmniStar and RTK for improved accuracy over the free WAAS signal. Wood and Giannotti say EZ-Guide 500 has been a hot seller, and those who already bought it can get this variable rate upgrade.

The upgrade will allow EZ-Guide to do variable rate for one product, say anhydrous ammonia. You still need to buy a variable rate controller for your NH3 applicator or for your dry fertilizer metering system. EZ-Guide 500 tells it what to do.

I'll have a full article in an upcoming Grainews on the new Trimble products. Meanwhile think of more questions for our Precision Q&A team. Email your questions to me. Look for the next Precision Q&A feature in the January 26 Grainews.