Precision Farming
Suppliers Weigh in on 'The Basics'

In each issue, we ask industry leaders about their role in precision farming and what they're doing to support the new technologies.

Ingrid Livingston is executive director – marketing for Highway Equipment Company, which manufacturers the New Leader line of fertilizer and compost spreaders in Cedar Rapids, Iowa.

She responds:

1. What role is precision farming technology playing in New Leader's market?

"Many operators find dramatic savings by using New Leader G4 Series technology as it provides a wider and more accurate spread pattern for increased yields, and increased efficiency by being able to apply more acres per day. Every additional 10 feet gained in the spread pattern can add thousands of dollars to the bottom line." — Ingrid Livingston, Executive Director of Marketing Highway Equipment Company

The majority of New Leader spreaders in operation already contain some level of precision farm technology.

Precision technology has played a leading role in New Leader’s crop nutrient applicators since the early 1990s with the introduction of the Mark Series DGPS-ready spreader control. Since then, New Leader has answered end-users’ demands for easy-to-use precision application tools that help them increase yields and improve return on investment.

Today New Leader offers a variety of precision application spreaders that feature the G4 Series variable rate broadcaster, available with the Ag Leader DirectCommand control system.

On one end of the spectrum, New Leader offers several single-hopper spreaders for applying fertilizer, lime, or compost. On the other end, New Leader offers a spreader available with up to four hoppers for simultaneously applying a combination of fertilizer, micronutrients, and/or seeds at predetermined rates.

2. How do New Leader’s dealers show customers the ROI that precision farming technology can provide?

This New Leader L4000G4 spreader with a MultiBin body is able to apply up to four fertilizer/micronutrient products simultaneously.

Using a spreader with the latest precision technology dramatically affects return on investment (ROI). The New Leader ROI Calculator, available at NewLeaderVIP.com, allows the user to enter unique variables that affect ROI, including average swath width, vehicle speed, material price, spreader and chassis prices, fuel costs, and more.

Many operators find dramatic savings by using New Leader G4 Series technology as it provides a wider and more accurate spread pattern for increased yields, and increased efficiency by being able to apply more acres per day. Every additional 10 feet gained in the spread pattern can add thousands of dollars to the bottom line. In addition, New Leader’s wider spread pattern reduces the number of trips through the field, which ultimately reduces soil compaction.