Bayer has introduced FieldView Drive 2.0, a compact plug-and-play device designed to enhance connectivity, monitoring, and data recording across various types of farm equipment. This new version builds on its predecessor by offering increased processing power, more data storage, and improved in-field connection stability, making it easier for farmers to connect with digital tools and collect data during crucial farming activities like planting, spraying, and harvesting.
Hundreds of farmers have already tested FieldView Drive 2.0, and U.S. farmers can now order it during the Farm Progress Show, while supplies last. Bayer plans to start shipping the device first in the U.S., with global distribution to follow early next year, subject to regulatory approvals.
Russ Kavan, a farmer from eastern Nebraska who tested the device, praised the upgraded technology for its enhanced connection reliability with his iPad. He also appreciated its ability to read serial data without needing a separate converter, simplifying the process of moving the device between different types of equipment, such as planters and sprayers, from various manufacturers.
FieldView Drive 2.0 not only simplifies installation but also streamlines the transfer of seed prescriptions and other “scripts” from FieldView directly to precision farming equipment. Farmers often create management zones within a field, assigning different application rates for seeds, fertilizers, and pesticides based on factors like soil type and elevation. With FieldView Drive 2.0, these scripts can be created and transferred directly to the equipment, eliminating the need for thumb drives and saving time, energy, and fuel.
The device acts as a crucial link between farm inputs, digital solutions, and precision equipment. Its ability to deliver prescriptions supports the global expansion of crop systems like the Preceon Smart Corn System, which integrates digital prescriptions and recommendations, including seeding rates, as part of its approach.
“At Bayer, innovation is at the core of our mission,” said Jeremy Williams, Head of Climate LLC, Digital Farming, and Commercial Ecosystems for Bayer’s Crop Science division. “FieldView Drive 2.0 is a foundational tool that will help us broaden our reach and deepen our impact by simplifying the setup and improving performance, allowing more farmers to benefit from digital farming technology.”
FieldView Drive 2.0 continues to support compatibility with all makes and models of equipment, building on the success of the original device launched in 2016.
Connor Keithly, a third-generation farmer from northcentral Missouri, shared his experience with FieldView, noting that the platform’s scripting feature has saved his farm money, allowing them to invest in other valuable resources. With FieldView Premium, his family’s operation benefits from scripts that can be easily accessed by their seed representative, helping them make informed decisions.
FieldView experts will be available at booth #852 during the Farm Progress Show in Boone, Iowa, from August 27-29. For more information on FieldView Drive 2.0 and Bayer’s digital farming platform, visit climate.com.
