Real-Time Grading: A Second Year of Insights from GTAI Test Farm
Innovation isn't just a buzzword—it's a reality, especially on our test farms where the latest in grain grading technology is put through its paces. This year, we caught up with Brady, one of our seasoned test farm operator, to gather insights from his second year testing the on-combine unit. His experiences shed light on the transformative impact and future potential of real-time grain grading.
Big Changes and Big Wins: The second year of testing at GTAI brought significant upgrades to the on-combine unit. It was relocated to the clean grain elevator, which, according to Brady, improved the integration and efficiency of real-time data collection. The software also received substantial updates enhancing functionality and user experience. This allowed for immediate quality grading of wheat (CWRS), alongside crucial metrics like protein and moisture content.
Brady emphasized the importance of these real-time metrics: "The ability to see our grain grade as soon as we entered a field was invaluable. It wasn't just about knowing the numbers—it was about making informed decisions on the spot. This real-time data impacts everything from storage planning to fulfilling contracts and marketing."
The most striking benefit, as Brady notes, was the elimination of uncertainty. "Having accurate, real-time grading data replaces guesswork with certainty. It streamlines decisions about where to store, how to fulfill contracts, and even which markets to target," he explained. This immediacy not only increases operational efficiency but also injects a new level of confidence into the entire harvesting process.
One of the unexpected advantages of real-time grading was the impact on team discussions and decision-making. "Knowing the grade of our grain in real-time helped avoid lengthy debates and made our workflow much smoother. It’s about more than just efficiency; it’s about enhancing the way we work and communicate," Brady reflected. For the next harvest, Brady hopes to see the application of these technologies broaden, incorporating more crop types and refining user experience. "The unit needs to run seamlessly through a full harvest day without hitches. We’re looking to make this technology a standard part of the harvesting equipment, not just an addition," Brady shared.
As we continue to refine and expand our technology, the feedback from hands-on experiences like Brady’s is invaluable. It not only highlights the effectiveness of our current unit but also guides future innovations. Looking forward to next harvest, we’re excited to further drive changes in grain grading, making it efficient, more accurate, and more integrated into the daily operations of farmers and grain buyers alike.