CALF_News_June_July_2019

38 CALF News • June | July 2019 • www.calfnews.net Making the Planet More Productive Servi-Tech Laboratories Got Minerals? By Greg Ruehle, ServiTech CEO S erviTech is widely known for its expertise in crop consulting and laboratory testing. Seventy agrono- mists across the Midwest create a unique network of “boots-on-the-ground” specialists, supported by three labs strategically located throughout the cattle feeding and dairy-dominated High Plains. As a result, no other com- pany can match the breadth and scope of knowledge gleaned by ServiTech crop consultants and laboratory specialists on behalf of their customers. In addition to our core offerings, ServiTech has a robust technology development division that evaluates and imple- ments new technologies relevant to our broad customer base. The Technology division at ServiTech combines STEPS (ServiTech Expanded Premium Services) with our internal IT team, creating a more coordinated product and service delivery portfolio. Labeled the ServiTech Bridge, our online solution incorporates a variety of sensors (crop, weather, tank levels, etc.) with remote communications and cloud-based technology to improve the customer’s user experience. Key offerings that apply to diversified farming and livestock operations include:  Weather stations measuring rainfall, relative humidity, wind speed and solar radiation from remote locations log and transmit data;  Soil moisture probes to help manage lagoon dewatering in an efficient manner;  Aerial imagery to help monitor crop health across a range of grain and forage crops (e.g., corn, sorghum, alfalfa, soybeans, cotton, etc.);  Products to remotely monitor lagoon levels, as well as other tank levels (e.g., feed, fuel, fertilizer), including data logging and centralized management reports;  Rain buckets to remotely measure and log rainfall events for regulatory compliance and lagoon capacity, in the event a full weather station is not needed;  Fan status monitors offer multiple options including tracking run-time increments, and on/off status, among others;  A well-status monitor can be used broadly in terms of monitoring livestock wells, irrigation wells or other pumping operations for their operational status or as a tool in assisting scheduling service intervals. Given the open architecture base for the ServiTech Bridge, the range of future applications is essentially limitless! The user experience (UX) for these products is also impres- sive, and one of the big draws among current customers. Data can be viewed at your desktop, tablet or other hand-held device, making it an easily-accessible decision-making tool. The service is offered on a subscription basis, making it a lower-cost alternative to other options in the market today. ServiTech’s goal is to be more than a “one-trick pony” for our customers. Our business is built on a stable technology platform for accuracy and efficiency, and is designed to be used in a variety of settings and applications. ServiTech – the merger of service with technology – and so much more! If you would like to learn about these services, visit us on the web at www.servitech.com . Better yet, email me directly ( greg.ruehle@servitech.com ) or call my cell phone (620) 253-3137. 