ODEBOLT — As producers look for ways to increase profitability, strip-tilling has been the go-to solution for many crop farmers. This practice eliminates some of the primary and secondary tillage of traditional systems and reduces fuel and labor costs.

The challenge with strip-till is that it’s critical for growers to place inputs precisely in the strip zone. With varying terrain and field conditions, this can be a challenge.

ProTrakker, a product by MBW Products, LLC, has demonstrated the ability to maintain multi-pass accuracy in strip-till farming. According to a study titled, “Integrating Technologies to Enhance the Simplicity of Strip-Tillage Systems,” by the Ontario Soil and Crop Improvement Association (OSCIA), “the goal was to demonstrate proof of concept for a system for developing accurate topography contours, and follow contours with high pass-to-pass accuracy through RTK GPS and active implement guidance via ProTrakker hitch.”

Results concluded that the active hitch performed well, maintaining pass-to-pass accuracy for the planter and strip-till rig despite the impact of contour driving and operating on a side-hill. The 15-foot strip-till and planter passes were harvested without any issues with a 20-foot corn head.

“Stability and repeatability with ProTrakker systems have been proven to improve yields by 15 to 20 bushels per acre, save producers up to 8% in input costs and give them implement control that dramatically increases germination and growth,” said Cory Miller, president of ProTrakker.

“Implement guidance systems are not only helping improve farmers’ profitability, but they are also assisting them with soil conservation through maximizing the benefits of strip-till and no-till production.”

The ability to negotiate fluctuating terrain, and stay on track, is just one of the reasons why ProTrakker is used across numerous agricultural applications, such as in edge-row sowing. Edge-row sowing is where growers place the seed right up against the stubble of the old crop for moisture and nutrient benefits. Ensuring this type of seed placement requires exact precision.

Farmers incorporating this planting practice with ProTrakker Guidance Systems, according to Miller, have witnessed fewer expenses, better plant emergence, and optimal yields — increasing their return on investment.

“This method is utilized in areas where specific moisture pathways need to be targeted, such as the non-wetting soils found in some of Australia’s more arid regions,” said Miller.

Studies that have utilized ProTrakker have shown that by repurposing pre-existing root moisture pathways this way, farmers can gain three to four weeks of advanced growth, which translates to yield responses. Growers have also seen credible evidence of increased germination in non-wetting conditions.

An Australian farmer, Theo Cunningham, commented, “When the ProTrakker is not engaged, you can notice bar drift, particularly on hilly slopes, but when it’s turned on, you can look out the back and see the hitch constantly making slight adjustments to keep the bar straight.”

All MBW guidance systems and control options are hand-built and tested by customers.

ProTrakker precision ag products are sold worldwide in Canada, Australia, the United Kingdom, Denmark and the United States.

“Our commitment to constantly improving precision agriculture products helps us offer our customers a superior level of quality and value in our implement guidance systems,” said Miller.

For more information about ProTrakker hitches and guidance control options, visit ProTrakker.com/Implement-Guidance-Systems.