Land leveling has always been very important in many farming practices. This is especially true for crops like alfalfa, which need perfect drainage to grow well. Recently, Saturnino Gonzalez, a farming producer in Mexicali, Mexico, faced this exact challenge when he planned to grow alfalfa in the next cycle. Saturnino chose to use a modern and smart solution: a GNSS-based land leveling system from FJDynamics. This new technology helped them perfectly level a one-hectare plot, creating an ideal foundation for future alfalfa cultivation and irrigation.
Alfalfa Cultivation Challenge: Why Precise Drainage Matters
There are about one-half million acres (about 200,000 hectares) of alfalfa grown in Mexico. 10.7 million tons of alfalfa hay are produced in Mexico annually. Alfalfa is a prominent forage crop in the Mexicali region, along with a wide variety of other crops. In this region, Alfalfa cultivation is a key part of the local economy.However, alfalfa is a thirsty crop. It needs a lot of water and, crucially, excellent drainage. Standing water is a death sentence for alfalfa, as it can quickly damage the plants and reduce yields. With growing concerns about water scarcity and climate change, farmers are looking for smarter ways to manage water and ensure their crops thrive.
Beyond its economic value, alfalfa also helps improve soil health by adding nitrogen and improving the soil's structure, making it a valuable crop for the ecosystem. For farmers like Saturnino, getting the land perfectly flat was step one for planting alfalfa. They needed to make sure water would drain away quickly, leaving no puddles behind.
Land Leveling: Laser vs. GNSS
In the past, Saturnino used laser-based land leveling. This method was a step up from doing things by eye, but it had a major drawback: Saturnino couldn't actually see what was being leveled in real-time. He would essentially work "blind," moving earth from one end of the field to the other, hoping he didn't miss any spots. If he did miss an uneven patch, there was no easy way to know, and it would simply be left behind, causing drainage problems later.Recently, recommended by Hector Ruelas, a technican from RH Tech, FJD's dealer in Mexico, Saturnino purchased the FJD AL02 3D Land Leveling System, and everything changed since then. Saturnino connected the AL02 system directly to his Case IH Magnum 310, an electric-controlled high-horsepower tractor.
After quickly installing the FJD GNSS receiver on the trailed blade device, the FJD system was quickly set to work. Though there were some small software issues, Hector helped solve them quickly on site, and the system began to level the land normally.
To simplify blade control, Saturnino also used FJD Land Leveling Easy Control, an accessory that lets him easily control without touching the AL02 screen terminal. This gave him more convenience and efficiency in controlling the whole land leveling process.
With the FJD AL02, all the digging and filling were made very clear. Saturnino could see exactly where soil needs to be removed and where it needs to be added. This visual guidance means no more guesswork.
The system guides the land leveling device with incredible accuracy, ensuring the land is perfectly prepared. In fact, the actual precision was even better than promised, achieving results within 1.2cm, surpassing the ±2.5cm guarantee. This gave Saturnino more confidence in using FJD's smart land leveling system.
How FJD Land Leveling System Works
Built on GNSS & RTK technology, the FJD AL02 land leveling system eliminates the complicated preparations often required for older laser-based systems. This allows for detailed surveys of the land and the creation of exact plans for leveling, whether the surface needs to be completely flat or have specific slopes.Thanks to its high-precision GNSS and smart software programs, the system can automatically control the grader's blade. This makes the leveling operations not only precise but also incredibly stable. According to Saturnino, FJD's smart system is more helpful in many ways compared with a laser-based land leveling system.
Saturnino was also satisfied with the advanced design choices of the AL02 system. He could select the most suitable plan for his land. Whether he needs a perfectly level field, a single-sloped surface (like for irrigation), or even a double-sloped surface, the system can handle it. This flexibility ensures that the land is prepared exactly as needed for alfalfa cultivation and efficient irrigation in the future.
Once the land leveling is complete, all project details are automatically saved in the project management system. Saturnino can review the project history at any time and even generate detailed PDF reports. These reports are valuable for further analysis, sharing with others, and reviewing past work to improve future projects.
A Step Towards Sustainable Agriculture
The success of land leveling in Mexicali highlights how modern technology can support sustainable agriculture. By ensuring perfect farming drainage for high-value crops like alfalfa, farmers can maximize their yields while minimizing water waste. In regions facing challenges like water scarcity and climate change, precise land leveling becomes an even more critical tool.The FJD land leveling system empowers farmers like Saturnino to make informed decisions and implement efficient practices. It's not just about leveling land; it's about building a foundation for thriving crops, conserving precious resources, and ultimately contributing to a more sustainable and profitable agricultural future.