Commodity Classic 2023 welcomed more than 10,000 growers, exhibitors, and ag retailers to the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando.
From left: Praxidyn’s Doug Applegate and CropLife’s Eric Sfiligoj at the company’s Commodity Classic booth. The Mixmate automates chemical mixing and recordkeeping. Its inductors measure dry and jugs by weight and precalibrated flowmeters are used for bulk products. Users can process jugs in 12 seconds. Operators can measure, mix, record, and load the sprayer in approximately five minutes, says Applegate.
The TT2000 from The KBH Corp. is available in rear or optional side discharge. This two-compartment 31-foot trailer features a capacity of 1,065 cubic-feet while maintaining a low center of gravity, says the company. The stainless steel hopper frame and hoppers are bolted on. The unit also features cast-iron suspension and stainless steel rear fenders.
The pull-type and chassis-mounted line-up of Unverferth Pro-Force dry spreaders features hoppers ranging from 270 to 840 cubic feet. The hopper is manufactured from 304 stainless steel and can handle dry fertilizer, lime, gypsum, compost, poultry litter, and cover crop seed. The Pro-Force applicator can spread common fertilizer up to 90 feet, cover crop seed up to 70 feet, lime and gypsum up to 60 feet, and compost or poultry litter up to 45 feet.
The Fendt Rogator 900 Series applicator automatically raise from standard to high clearance of up to 76 inches in less than 45 seconds for critical late season dry or liquid application and less disturbance of tall crops. After application, the applicators just as quickly return to standard clearance of 56 to 60 inches, depending on model for superior stability on the road. Changing between the liquid system and a dry spinner or pneumatic system takes less than two hours: Unhook two or four hydraulic connections, remove the on-board system from the chassis and replace it with the one needed for the next job.
Guardian front boom sprayers feature crop clearance up to 78 inches, AutoFold booms, IntelliHeight XRT boom height control, IntelliSpray nozzle control system, IntelliSteer at headlands, data management systems, and AutoRinse. For 2023, Guardian sprayers are incorporating precision technologies from Raven Industries. This includes the Slingshot and IntelliSpray II.
Available on the 400 and 600 Series Sprayers, See & Spray Ultimate uses advanced camera and nozzle-control technology to detect weeds among corn, soybeans, and cotton plants. Working in conjunction with ExactApply, 36 cameras on a 120-foot boom will scan over 2,100 square feet at once. When a weed is detected, herbicide is applied using a targeted spray. By avoiding a traditional broadcast application across the entire field, See & Spray Ultimate can users reduce the total volume of herbicide applied.
The Recon SpreadSense utilizes the same acoustic technology developed for other Recon monitoring systems, enabling it to provide reliable real-time blockage detection. In operation, the acoustic sensors listen for material flow and send sound pulses through auditory tubes, similar to a stethoscope. This data is then collected by an Electronic Control Unit, which displays the information on an iPad in the cab.
There are three different models in the Patriot 50 Series: The 3250, the 4350, and 4450. Patriot 50 series sprayer booms are available in width options from 60/90 to 69/135 feet. A parallel-link boom suspension design delivers a stable platform for product application, even in challenging conditions. The sprayers can be equipped with optional AIM Command FLEX II advanced spray technology, which incorporates individual nozzle on/off control to ensure application accuracy and efficiency. With six modes of operation, AIM Command FLEX II delivers flexible and accurate application — even in turns, rough terrain and irregular-shaped fields.
A new exhibitor at the 2023 Commodity Classic was NASA. At its booth, the agency provided visitors with a world map composed of satellite imagery. NASA also gave attendees information on its Develop National Program, which addresses environmental and public policy issues using remote sensing technology.
The Loftness F810 8-ton fertilizer spreader is available with a variety of wheel and tire options to meet the needs of many different farming operations. The high frame clearance allows for in-season applications in row crops, says the company.
MICHELIN SprayBib is designed with the company’s Ultraflex Technologies. According to the company, this provides excellent traction, reduced soil compaction, and improved stability, regardless of weather or soil conditions. The MICHELIN SprayBib design allows the tire to support 14,330 pounds at up to 40 mph while still requiring only 64 psi.
The XAG P100 40L Quadrotor Drone from Pegasus Robotic is designed with a 60 to 400 micrometer centrifuge sprayer and uses 4D radar to navigate. The unit is powered using two 962 kW h batteries and features a maximum flow rate of up to 12 liters per minute.
By all accounts, the 2023 Commodity Classic in Orlando, FL, was a success. According to the show’s organizers, more than 10,000 visitors attended the annual event, setting a new record.
There was lots to see and hear at the show, and CropLife had its team on hand for the entire three-day event. Here, we present some of the highlights from the trade show floor, featuring equipment and products used in the crop fields across the country.