Weather update Dacom Cloud Farm
Tractor and cultivation finally speak the same language
The enormous amounts of data generated on land today require automation. This is because otherwise the farmers will no longer see the woods because of the numbers. IT company Dacom and importer Mechan Groep are trying to take an important step with Cloudfarm.
Internationally, various initiatives are active to bundle, group and link all company data. Only in this way can cross connections be made and we can ultimately take steps. This could include, for example, the generation of task cards. Dutch arable farmers and contractors have to deal with specialist crops. The focus is hardly on grains, which means that most platforms are difficult to apply.
Cut data to size
"Cloudfarm is an existing Dacom product", explains product specialist Lud Uitdewilligen. "By working together with Mechan Groep, we can automatically read, process and apply data. This was already possible before, but the transfer took place manually. In addition, this software cleans the data. We cut it to size. Sensor images from the ditch side are of no use as this obscures an accurate picture of the plot."
The modern tractors from Massey Ferguson, Valtra and Fendt register many parameters during work; such as wheel slip, driving speed, rpm and fuel consumption. This data can say something about the characteristics of a plot. It is 1 layer of data, but Cloudfarm combines it with elevation maps, soil type maps and satellite images. Multi-year patterns should eventually become clear in the so-called 'data lasagna'. Contractors can use the logged data as administration and communicate to their customers.
No telemetry
Agco, the parent company of the tractor brands mentioned, already has its own platform: Fuse† This is primarily a telemetry solution that focuses on fleet management. Where is my machine driving, and what is its status? According to Frank Verdonschot, precision agriculture manager at Mechan Groep, this does not affect Cloudfarm: "The Dutch situation is unique. Moreover, our country has its own rules when it comes to data, which means that systems from abroad cannot be used. The link with Cloudfarm is an extra selling point for us, but we mainly want to boost precision agriculture. If you buy a new tractor from us, you get a free subscription for 2 years."
To be able to talk to the office, the tractor must be luxuriously equipped. At this point, this means that a factory fitted GPS system must be installed. At Fendt, that's VarioGuide. Valtra and Massey Ferguson are all about Auto-Guide. In addition, the license for VarioDoc Pro (Fendt) or TaskDoc Pro (Massey Ferguson/Valtra) must be purchased. This is a license that will cost you €150 per year. Only the most luxurious version has this option. At Fendt, this is the well-known Profi Plus. In addition to the software on your computer, there is also an app for Android and Apple devices.
Manage AB Lines
After registration, you will also see the data from the machine park (in addition to the existing plots, crops and advice). Processed fields are automatically loaded and it has recently become possible to manage AB lines. The next step is to create task cards and send them to the tractor. If the implement, for example a spreader or sprayer, is ISObus controlled, it should work without any problems. After that, managing lines from other GPS systems is an option, provided the company has colored machinery or rtk GPS from another supplier.
Uitdewilligen hopes that farmers and contractors will now get to work with the data. In his view, however, this is only possible when everything is integrated. Sentinel's freely available satellite images regularly provide a picture of the crop, which is sufficient for site-specific work. Aerial photographs are also used. Uitdewilligen: "The forerunners in our country work with the specialized software. Cloudfarm is easily accessible and hopefully interesting for a large group of companies. It is also an advantage that Dacom has many links with existing Dutch systems. This is what practice requires with its cultivation registration. "
Multiple manufacturers
John Deere also has its own platform: MyJohndeere, with which Dacom also has a link. According to Uitdewilligen, tractor manufacturers encourage such initiatives. They do not see it as a threat to their own software. Dacom has the Benelux as its focus, but does not rule out an international rollout.
Mechan Groep and Dacom strive for broad acceptance and implementation of precision farming. This leads to demand for decision support systems or new machines that work on a site-specific basis. A Cloudfarm license also includes a 2-year training program, so that the user can get the most out of his software. Dacom is also working on a 'Basic Package Precision Agriculture'.
After the 2 free years, you pay €300 annually at Dacom for the cultivation registration and €300 for Cloudfarm. An entry-level and pro variant are available. The standard variant can be used up to 300 hectares. The system was tested last year. This year, Mechan Groep will start with the full roll-out in practice.
Niels van der Boom
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