Trimble Introduces Land Forming Solution to Optimize Field Surfaces for Agricultural Irrigation and Drainage
Solution Addresses Underperforming Areas While Controlling Costs and Minimizing Earthworks
SUNNYVALE, Calif., Feb. 9, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- Trimble (NASDAQ: TRMB) announced today the launch of the WM-Form™ land forming solution for leveling, surface drainage and irrigation. WM-Form is an end-to-end agriculture solution for field survey, topography analysis, design creation, reporting and cost estimation, land forming and verification. With easy-to-use surface design tools and flexible parameters, growers and earthworks contractors can use the WM-Form solution to repair underperforming areas and extend the amount of productive farmable land. It can reduce the volume and cost of earthworks and minimize disturbance to valuable topsoil. Growers can use the solution to optimize water distribution and drainage, reduce erosion and flooding by effectively directing waterflow, and create more uniform crop production which can lead to increased yield.
Growers and earthworks contractors can use the WM-Form solution from survey to verification. They can collect 3D field data using the Trimble® WM-Topo™ survey system, or the FmX® integrated or TMX-2050™ displays. Users can then analyze topographic data in the WM-Form software to identify surface problems that are limiting yield potential and use the software's flexible design tools to create a design that optimizes their field's surface. The software also provides reports for volume, area and constraints, providing contractors and growers with an accurate quote on the total cost of the project. Users can leverage the 3D design to conduct land forming operations using the Trimble FieldLevel™ II system, and then verify that the design has been accurately completed using the Trimble WM-Topo survey system.
The WM-Form software provides flexibility, allowing users to design variable-shaped fields based on existing topography, the water needs of individual crops, and individual farming practices. It allows users to:
- Drain water in any direction or to a linear feature such as a ditch or existing drainage system
- Create surface designs for furrow irrigation
- Split a field into sections and create designs for each section individually
- Generate multiple design variations for the field, then compare them in 3D view against the original topography
- Produce 2D cut/fill estimates and reports
- Interact with Connected Farm™ for license and acreage management
- Level fields with custom/best-fit single or multiple planes
"With the WM-Form solution, we are enabling growers and contractors to turn their fields into optimal surfaces, even in areas that were unable to be leveled before," said David Fitzpatrick, Water Solutions business area director for Trimble's Agriculture Division. "With more farmable land that is optimized for water management and more uniform production, growers can experience increased yield. Plus, they can conveniently use one solution with Trimble for the entire land forming process."
Trimble is currently the only company in the industry able to provide a full farm management solution that includes surface preparation and irrigation. The WM-Form solution provides surface optimization to minimize water runoff while the Irrigate-IQ™ precision irrigation solution applies the right amount of water based on crop needs. The combination of the two solutions ensures that water is absorbed efficiently by the soil and utilized by the crop.
The WM-Form solution is expected to be available worldwide by the end of March 2015. For more information, visit: http://www.trimble.com/Agriculture/WM-Form.aspx.
Trimble's Agriculture Division
Trimble Agriculture solutions enable customers to maximize efficiency and reduce chemical and fertilizer inputs while also protecting natural resources and the environment. Trimble's precision agriculture solutions cover all seasons, crops, terrains, and farm sizes, and its brand-agnostic strategy allows farmers to use Trimble products on most vehicles in their fleet—regardless of manufacturer. To enable better decision making, Trimble offers the Connected Farm solution which allows farmers to collect, share, and manage information across their farm in real time. To optimize water use, Trimble provides water solutions for irrigation, drainage, and land leveling. Trimble's product suite includes vehicle and implement guidance and steering, as well as a portfolio of correction options that are the most versatile of their kind in the industry. Additional solutions include an unmanned aircraft system (UAS) for aerial imaging and mapping; application control for seed, liquid, and granular products; a harvest solution; and farm management software.
For more information on Trimble Agriculture, visit: www.trimble.com/agriculture.
About Trimble
Trimble applies technology to make field and mobile workers in businesses and government significantly more productive. Solutions are focused on applications requiring position or location—including surveying, construction, agriculture, fleet and asset management, public safety and mapping. In addition to utilizing positioning technologies, such as GPS, lasers and optics, Trimble solutions may include software content specific to the needs of the user. Wireless technologies are utilized to deliver the solution to the user and to ensure a tight coupling of the field and the back office. Founded in 1978, Trimble is headquartered in Sunnyvale, Calif.
For more information, visit: www.trimble.com.
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SOURCE Trimble
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