Touting a theme of ‘Green Future — Smart Technology,’ Agritechnica 2017 in Hannover, Germany, featured both progressive and pragmatic innovations. Precision technology was again a focal point with nearly 700 of the 2,800 exhibitors showcasing the latest hardware, software and other mechanical components. 

No-Till Farmer identified these three technology trends to watch for from Agritechnica 2017.

1 Sensing Efficiency 

Remote sensing tools continue to emerge as precision technology becomes more mobile. Several companies debuted new products designed to deliver near real-time field analysis, including Finland-based company, GrainSense. The company unveiled a new handheld grain quality analyzer, which can measure moisture and protein content in small grains. 

The system, which will begin commercial production in Jan. 2018 and initially retail for about $4,500, takes readings from a small sample size (about 80 kernels) ahead of harvest and delivers results in about 30 seconds on the device, which is also connected to a mobile app. It is initially calibrated to analyze wheat, barley, oats and rye, with additional seed varieties to be added in the future, including corn. 

“The system will automatically update when new calibrations are added, so farmers won’t have to invest in additional software,” says GrainSense co-founder Ykä Marjanen. “Farmers don’t want to wait 3 days for results from a lab, and this tool will allow them to make same-day decisions in the field ahead of harvest.”

Veris Technologies showcased its new iScan soil mapping tool, which can mount to different implement row units including planters and strip-till…