In today's fast-paced world of agriculture, farmers need their machines to work perfectly, save money on resources, and finish tasks quickly. But what about older machines, the ones farmers have used for many years? Can they use new technology without being replaced? FJDynamics recently showed they can, by turning an old TeeJect sprayer in Spain into a smart, accurate farm tool.
We're taking you to Vila-sacra, Spain. It's a lovely town in the Girona area, known for its calm, flat farmlands. The Manol river winds through fields of crops. It's a place where traditional farming meets the growing demand for modern efficiency. In this tranquil rural landscape, a local farmer faced a common challenge: how to achieve the high precision needed for a demanding crop like sorghum using existing machinery.
Sorghum in Spain: A Growing Crop with Big Potential
You might not think of Spain growing much sorghum, but it's actually becoming a very important crop there. Spain imports a lot of sorghum from other countries, mostly to feed animals. But people are also starting to use it more for food. On top of that, Spain also exports a good amount of sorghum grain to nearby countries like Portugal, Morocco, and France.Research is ongoing to make sorghum even better suited for Spain's climate, especially by improving its ability to handle dry conditions. This makes it a potentially more sustainable crop for the future. The market for sorghum in Spain is showing strong growth:
- The Spanish sorghum market generated a revenue of USD 192.4 million in 2024.
- It's expected to grow to USD 285.2 million by 2030.
- The market is expected to grow at a steady rate of 6.8% each year from 2025 to 2030.
- Grain sorghum was the biggest earner in 2024 and is expected to grow the fastest in the coming years.
- In terms of global revenue, Spain accounted for 0.8% of the worldwide sorghum market in 2024.
In Spain, farmers generally harvest sorghum from September to October. This is when the grain is fully ready. You can often tell it's ready by a small black spot at the bottom of each grain, and it will have a moisture level of 20-25%.
While some early sorghum might be picked in July or August, the main harvest comes later. Farmers need to watch closely on their fields to make sure the crop is perfectly ripe before harvesting. This careful timing helps avoid problems like grains that don't come off the plant easily or cracked grains.
The Precision Challenge for Sorghum and an Old Sprayer
Growing sorghum needs to be very careful and precise, especially when loosening the soil and adding liquid fertilizer. These tasks must be done perfectly so the plants get just enough, without wasting anything or causing damage.In Vila-sacra, one farmer needed to prepare a small 10-hectare field for next year's sorghum seeds. This meant loosening the soil and spraying liquid fertilizer. He used an older, reliable TeeJet sprayer that he controlled by hand.
The big problem was: how could this trusty, hand-controlled sprayer be made smart enough for today's precise sorghum farming, without the farmer having to buy a costly new machine?
FJD Smart Tech Meets Trusted TeeJet Sprayer
FJDynamics came up with a smart solution for this challenge. Our team installed the FJD AT2 autosteering system into the farmer's tractor, which trails an old TeeJet sprayer. The main goal was to get our AT2 system to "talk" to the sprayer's original TeeJet ECU ( the sprayer's controller). We made this connection possible by activating ISOBUS functionalities, including VT/UT (for showing information) and TC-SC (for controlling sprayer sections), on the AT2 system.Here's how we made it happen:
- FJD AT2 Auto Steer System: This system was installed in the tractor to provide precise steering control. By utilizing live GNSS positioning data, the AT2 can automatically drive the sprayer with an accuracy of ±2.5cm even on this remote sorghum field.
- ISOBUS Wiring Cable: This is a standard ISOBUS cable that contains special components like an ISOBUS BOX, a TBC, and a CAN BOX. This cable acts as the bridge, allowing the FJD AT2 to connect and communicate directly with the TeeJet ECU.
- Original TeeJet ECU: Instead of replacing the entire control system of the old sprayer, we integrated with its existing TeeJet ECU. This saved the farmer significant costs.
By upgrading the AT2 navigation system with the ISOBUS capability, we enabled farmers to control their existing TeeJet ECU for precise work. After a quick setup, everything worked perfectly in the field, and the farmer was very happy with FJD's affordable tech upgrade.
In fact, this farmer was one of the first to try out our ISOBUS TC-SC and TC-Geo functionalities. He has always given us good feedback, with no complaints, because the system has worked perfectly from the start. He was especially impressed by how simple and easy our ISOBUS solution was to use with his TeeJet sprayer. A huge benefit for the farmer was not needing to buy another special screen for ISOBUS; the AT2's display did it all, which saved him money.
ISOBUS Transforms Sorghum Field Management
With the FJD ISOBUS TC-SC now in place, the sorghum field management in Vila-sacra became more precise and efficient. The farmers had seen many benefits after using the FJD ISOBUS tech. Here is what makes a difference to his sorghum farming:Precise Soil Loosening and Fertilization
Sorghum, especially when grown for seeds, demands very specific conditions. The FJD ISOBUS TC-SC system ensures that soil loosening and liquid fertilizer application are done with centimeter-level accuracy. This way, every plant gets the right amount of nutrients, promoting healthier growth and maximizing yield.
Damage-Free Crop Protection
With preset guidance lines and tramlines, the AT2 enables the tractor to drive precisely along the planned paths. This is crucial for sorghum, as it prevents the machine from damaging young plants during subsequent passes for crop protection or other field management tasks. The AT2's accurate steering ensures the sprayer stays exactly where it needs to be.
Big Resource Savings
The ISOBUS TC-SC feature allows for intelligent section control. It can automatically stop spraying fertilizer when the machine turns at the end of the field, or when it drives over areas that have already been treated. This smart control cuts down on wasted fertilizer a lot, saving the farmer a lot of money while also being friendly to the environment.
The ability to perform these tasks with such high precision required for delicate crops like sorghum is a testament to the power of the FJDynamics system.
A Win-Win for Farmers and Sustainability
This project in Vila-sacra is a shining example of how FJDynamics is making advanced farming technology accessible and affordable. By upgrading an existing, older TeeJet sprayer with our smart ISOBUS solution, the farmer gained:- Unmatched Precision: Ensuring optimal conditions for sorghum growth.
- Increased Efficiency: Faster, more accurate operations with less manual effort.
- Big Cost Savings: Reducing fertilizer waste and avoiding the need for a new machine.
- Ease of Use: A system that is simple to operate and integrates seamlessly.
This success story highlights FJDynamics' commitment to empowering farmers worldwide. By providing practical, high-performance solutions that integrate with existing equipment, we're helping to create a future where farming is not only more productive but also more sustainable and profitable for everyone.
Want to see how FJDynamics can make your farm smarter and more precise? Just contact our dealers in your area, or reach out to us directly here. We'll get back to you very soon![FJD ISOBUS Solution] | [FJD AT2 Auto Steer System] | [Book a Product Demo]