The Ag Technologies Podcast

Preparing for the Next Season: Maintenance, Data & Smart Upgrades

Travis Kelley and Bryan Tucker are joined by special guest Andy Pace, Regional Sales Manager for PTX (Trimble & Precision Planting), to discuss the current state of the season and how growers can best prepare for what’s next. As harvest wraps up across the Southeast, the conversation focuses on maintaining existing equipment, evaluating technology upgrades with fast ROI, and using data to make smarter decisions going into the next planting season. From cotton yields and crop changes to guidance upgrades and planter depth accuracy, this episode covers practical insights growers can act on now. Topics include: * Southeast crop conditions and end-of-season observations * Why maintenance is the first and best investment in tight-margin years * Planter depth consistency and new mechanical depth adjustment options * Insecticide monitoring improvements with Gen 3 Precision Planting displays * Using data tools like Panorama for coverage sharing, prescriptions, and remote support * Guidance and receiver upgrades to improve accuracy, uptime, and reliability * Reducing spray overlap and improving application efficiency with PWM nozzle control The episode wraps with a forward-looking discussion on making technology choices that keep operations flexible, efficient, and profitable — even in uncertain economic conditions.

Planter Maintenance, Preseason Planning & Getting Ready for the Year Ahead

In this episode, Travis Kelley, Bryan Tucker, and the AgTechnologies team sit down in the shop to talk through one of the most important — and often overlooked — parts of a successful season: planter maintenance and preseason planning. With planting windows tightening and margins under pressure, the team explains why getting ahead of maintenance can save time, reduce downtime, and protect your investment. From sweet corn and peanuts to cotton and corn, this episode walks through what to prioritize, when to schedule service, and where small fixes can prevent costly in-season failures. Topics include: * Why scheduling planter maintenance early matters more than ever * Common seed meter wear issues and how to catch them before the field * Crop kits, seed-per-pound changes, and vacuum seal problems * Best practices for liquid system winterization (V-Apply, pumps, lines) * How preseason inspections reduce downtime during tight planting windows * Wear parts that deliver big ROI: DeltaForce, FurrowForce, and DuraWear components * Using data tools like Panorama and PassMaster to improve planting performance The team also shares practical advice from real-world field experiences — showing how a $60 fix in the shop can prevent a $500 mistake in the field. If you want to plant with confidence this season, this episode is a must-listen.

Harvest Updates, Sunbelt Expo Highlights & New Tech on the Farm

Travis Kelley and Bryan Tucker check in during harvest season to share updates from the field and recap the 2024 Sunbelt Ag Expo in Moultrie, Georgia. From new equipment and sod-farm autonomy to winterizing planters and a sneak peek at upcoming peanut-planter technology, this episode covers a little of everything happening this fall. Topics include: • Harvest conditions across Georgia – peanuts, cotton and more • Highlights from the Sunbelt Expo and new technology reveals • Hands-on demo of the Symphony PWM spray system and camera integration • How Precision Planting’s modular system lets you build upgrades over time • Autonomous mowing on sod farms with Sabanto units and guidance solutions • Winter prep tips for V-Apply and seed meters to avoid spring damage • Upcoming twin-row peanut planter solution teaser for 2025 • Why technology adoption looks different on every farm – and how AgTechnologies helps match tools to grower needs The episode wraps with a look ahead to dealer meetings, off-season projects, and the continued push to help growers get more out of every acre.

Autonomy on the Rise: Farm Progress Takeaways & Precision Updates

In this episode, Travis Kelley and Bryan Tucker recap the Farm Progress Show and break down the biggest updates in precision ag technology and autonomy. From the latest product releases at Precision Planting and PTX, to practical insights for farmers, this episode highlights what’s shaping the future of agriculture. Topics include: * Dry Set Micro and blockage monitoring upgrades for insecticide and fertilizer application. * DuraWear Depth Handle for finer seed depth adjustments. * Symphony Vision updates with AI-driven spraying and expanded crop support. * Panorama & FarmEngage software integration for connecting planters, sprayers, and combines. * OutRun Autonomy now supporting grain carts, Fendt 900s, and tillage applications. * New product launches from Fendt, Case, and others at Farm Progress. * Drone spraying lessons learned in potatoes, plus advancements in tank size and capacity. * Innovative tools like the Residue Reaper and 360 Yield Rain system. The conversation also explores the bigger theme of autonomy in agriculture — from spray drones and robotic weed control to AI-driven data insights. The future is closer than many think, and the team discusses how growers can begin adapting today.

PTI Farm Deep Dive: Research Trials, Farm Show Updates, and Precision Ag Insights

In this inaugural episode of The Ag Technologies Podcast, hosts Travis Kelley and Bryan Tucker launch their mission to keep farmers updated on the latest in precision agriculture and farm technology. The episode kicks off with insights from recent farm shows, including the Young Farmer and Rancher Conference in Jekyll Island and the Southeast Peanut Grower Conference in Panama City, where conversations centered around planter upgrades, guidance systems, and sprayer controls. The main focus is an in-depth look at the PTI Farm in Illinois - Precision Planting's 400-acre research facility running over 150 active trials. Brian shares his recent visit experience, from hands-on time in the "sandbox" testing equipment to touring cutting-edge research projects. Featured interview with Jason Webster from PTI Farm covers: - Traffic management trials and the push for "smart corn heads" - 10-year fertilizer studies comparing broadcast vs. banded applications - Cost-saving strategies with fertilizer prices approaching $1,000 per ton - How the farm selects and runs trials that challenge conventional farming practices The hosts also discuss current harvest season technology including yield monitor retrofit options, the YieldSense system for Precision Planting users, and the new Symphony PWM spray control system with individual nozzle control. Key takeaway: "If you can't measure it, you can't control it" - discover how modern precision ag tools help farmers make data-driven decisions to maximize profitability per acre. Perfect for row crop farmers, ag technology enthusiasts, and anyone interested in the latest agricultural innovations and research.