Xavier Picquart is a farmer from Zutkerque in the North of France. He has always been passionate about precision agriculture and continues to look for new ways to improve his yields and efficiency. However, he's been hesitant to invest in new equipment, especially RTK auto-guidance technology. Acquiring and setting up a new system could cost a small fortune, and there was no guarantee on how it can actually improve the farmer's work. After he discovered the Sveaverken F100 auto steer system, his perspective changed. In this blog, we will share how Xavier found an affordable and efficient solution to enhance his farming operations.
High Price Is the Biggest Challenge
Precision farming technology has become increasingly popular in recent years, but the high cost has often been a barrier to entry for many farmers. In France, the RTK auto guidance systems can cost up to 15.000 euros, making them out of reach for many small and mid-sized farms. Also, the long-term expense of subscribing to a local RTK network can be prohibitive for farmers. A more cost-effective solution that still delivers the accuracy farmers need is desirable, to say the least.
Why Xavier Chose F100 auto steer system
After researching various precision farming options, Xavier settled on the Sveaverken F100 for a few key reasons:
Cost-effectiveness
With sophisticated technology and a robust set of sensors, the F100 only costs around one third the price of other mainstream RTK systems, making it an upgrade well within reach for the size and scale of Xavier’s farm.
High Flexibility
F100 can be used on a variety of machinery, including tractors, harvesters, and sprayers, allowing Xavier to use the system across all farming seasons. For farmers with multiple tractors, the unique Easy Change Kit of F100 allows them to upgrade more tractors at a fraction of the cost of purchasing multiple individual systems.
Free RTK Supported
Unlike some manufacturers that choose to close their system and only support a proprietary network RTK service, the F100 system opts for an open-access set-up. Farmers can easily connect to a free RTK network built by local farm cooperatives. Simply get a secondary SIM card with a data plan and insert it into the F100 control terminal, which costs 1-2 euros per month.
Ease of Use
F100 works right out of the box, with a simple interface and intuitive controls. This was a key factor for Xavier, who wanted a solution that was easy to use and didn't require extensive training.
How Xavier Used F100
Xavier initially tested F100 on one of his tractors, using it for auto-steering in land preparation and sowing. He found that the system worked seamlessly and helped his tractor to maintain straight lines and consistent row spacing.
“It's really with potatoes that we see the difference. Before, we did everything with the tractor, which was fine, but we work on 75 cm row spacing, and now we have real precision. So, it saves us from overlapping and skipping and I think we've gained a little bit on all aspects. We've also made progress on planning because we know how to delineate our field boundaries.”
Potato field of Xavier. Photo: POWERBOOST
After using the Sveaverken F100, Xavier reduced his seed input by 30% and spent 5 instead of the usual 6 hours planting, enhancing the efficiency by 20% on his 4-hectare plot of land. With an optimized working schedule, Xavier can spend more time now continuously learning agricultural techniques and doing things he enjoys outside of farm work.
Conclusion
RTK auto guidance technology, exemplified by the Sveaverken F100 Auto Steer System, is reshaping modern farming practices. It offers accuracy and efficiency that traditional methods can't match. By embracing this technology, farmers can make more informed decisions, improve operational efficiency, and gain a competitive edge.