Path to Precision
Action Plan Step 2: Assess Inventory
12 Dec 2021
You’ve already taking the first step of
assigning responsibility —congratulations! Now to keep them busy, with their first job being to assess inventory.
Assessing inventory means taking stock of what precision equipment you have. You should be considering what you need to achieve your initial goals. Remember that this is a step by step process, so there’s no need to jump in the deep end and order the all the latest gear from the catalogue, especially when you don’t even know what it’s used for or why your farm needs it. You don’t want to have ‘all the gear and no idea’!
At Case IH, we want you to have an idea, so this is why we suggest a good place to start is measuring. In precision farming that means sensors and GNSS, as we've discussed in previous articles.
What machines have you got? What sensors do they have? What can they measure? What is required to connect GNSS to those sensors?
Another good place to start is auto steering, and this can deliver almost instant returns. Do you already have a steering system? These days many vehicles come 'autosteer ready' from the manufacturer, requiring minimal components to 'complete'. Check what you have in your fleet and identify what you need.
Assessing inventory doesn't just mean buying new stuff. It also means ensuring you are getting the most out of what you have. We've met countless customers who already have precision technology onboard their machines but never realised its potential!
Do your research on what you have, and make sure you’re squeezing all you can out of it.
For example, did you know that adding a small GNSS receiver to your AFS Pro700 display machine allows you to map fuel usage? Measure it, improve it!
Don't fret if you have no idea what you need. This is where your AFS experts at your local Case IH dealer come in—they love this stuff! Discuss your strategy and goals and they'll guide you in the right direction with what you need to get started. And no, you don’t have to have a Case IH machine or the latest tractor; we have precision solutions for all sorts of machines—old, new and variously coloured!
By the end of this step, you should have a clear understanding of what precision equipment you have, what it is measuring or controlling and, if necessary, order what additional equipment you may need.
Take your time with this step. Learn what you have and how it works. Learn what you need and the options available to you. Talk to your friends, family, neighbours and others who are already using precision equipment, and get their recommendations—learn from their experience!
Once you’ve assessed your inventory, it’s time to evaluate your data layers.