Progressive Farmer offers new localized weather app and iPad bundle

July 30, 2012 - Telvent’s Progressive Farmer rolled out a new localized ag weather service app in June and followed up this month with a combo bundle that includes the new app, two other ag info apps, a subscription to the company’s Grains Pro online info service, along with an actual iPad with a heavy duty case designed to withstand dusty fields and bouncy truckbeds.

The DTN Mobile Bundle for iPad offers a robust solution for farmers who want to go mobile with as much information in the field as possible. “More and more we hear ‘mobile,’ ” says Taygen Vicary, a Telvent division manager of agricultural producer sales. “This allows our customers to get vital information wherever they are during the day.” 

The innovative package includes a 64GB iPad with a two-year 3G mobile contract, plus subscriptions to all the bundled ag data streams for $135 per month. Users can pick Verizon or AT&T, selecting the one with better service locally. Telvent is exploring upgrade options after two years, says Vicary.

The new Ag Weather Tools app, for smartphone and tablet devices, gives current weather conditions, local forecasts and user alerts. The application, available on iPhones, iPads and Android devices, also offers expert commentary from Progressive Farmer editors in addition to highly localized agriculture weather data. Distributed through the Apple iTunes store and Google Play, the app is available in a free 30-day trial form. With these three apps, Progressive Farmer joins other b-to-b leaders in offering mobile information sources to b-to-b users. “The ag weather tool app uses GPS data to let farmers go into depth with the weather for that location,” says Vicary.

While the apps are useful for quick smartphone access, Vicary says that there is also a demand for the full DTN Grains Professional web-browser-based service on the go. The iPad answers that need by giving farmers the same experience at both desktop machines and remote iPads. The “military-grade” case ensures the tablet will last for two years of field use.

By Michael Moran Alterio