Technology and Agricultural Collide

During the fair I had a lot of good questions from people on how we use technology on our farm. So I thought I would share this video of how I get the tractor ready to work ground and a simple explanation. 

The tractor I'm in is a 550 Case IH 4Wheel Drive. We use AFS as our monitor system. The GPS system is ran off of 13 Russian Satellites called Glonass. We use both RTK , which keeps the tractor within .5" of the designated line and we also use WAS, which has a larger margin of error. When working ground WAS is what we use the most but when planting and harvesting we like to have our rows as precise as possible so we use RTK.

The video: 

1.  I select the Grower which is my Dad, Bill because he owns the field I'm currently going to work. 

2. I select the farm which is the place we call Gatewood 

3. I select the South field because there is also a West and North field in this section.

4. I select myself as the operator because I'm the one running the tractor to work the ground. 

5. I select the implement. I'm using the disc for this job. We have already plugged in the implement info: width, swath width, and offset. This is such an important part because it corresponds with the GPS to make sure each round is exactly next to the one before. This allows us to be more efficient both with our time and fuel.

6.  Once these steps are done I select what angle I want the tractor to drive down the field and I push Auto Engaged to activate the GPS and then I let the tractor do its thing and work the ground. 

Every year more people are removed from the family farm operation. There are so many misconceptions of how farmers operate. I had one friend recently who had no idea our tractors had a cab, let alone A/C, Radio, Bluetooth Capabilities and Monitor Systems. I personally don't know if I would have taken such an interest in farming if it wasn't for the technology. 

Why I like GPS: 

1. My neck and shoulders aren't tense after a long day in the tractor. 

2. It's both time and fuel efficient. 

3. It allows me to be more around of my surroundings. 

4. I am able to watch the gauges and implement without having to worry about keeping the tractor in a straight line. 

5. It allows me to take business calls/notes and still operate the machinery safely. 

It's important to me that society sees that farming is evolving just like the rest of the world. Our farm only breaks the surface of the technology that's out there but I hope this video and description have you some new insight of our part of the agricultural industry ! 

*This blog post was written as the tractor drove itself 😉

Update

PLAYING CATCH UP 
It's been a while since I've updated this blog but I feel the need to not only catch myself up but also the random people who read it every once in a while. Since the last time I wrote on here I've graduated from college and got my degree, competed at the NCAA National Championships, became an All-American, had surgery on my labrum in my right hip, went through 2 months of rehab, and started my victory lap of college for my final year of track and completion of my second degree. Talk about a crazy few months!!! 

PRESENT DAY
Last week was my first day back in the ring with a shot put in my hand and Nikes on my feet. By the time the session was over I was convinced I would never be able to throw competitively again based on my pain levels and tears in my eyes ... 
So I decided to handle it in the only way I knew how. I have been on my knees non stop since surgery but especially since last wednesday just surrendering every ounce of my sport that I may have been holding back and just letting God give me peace regardless of the outcome I may find as the season progresses... 
Today I threw, which isn't my normal day to throw since it's not a lot of rest from my squat workout but I decided to take Fritz up on the deal anyways.  I walked into the session pretty hesitant, even though I was repeatedly telling myself today is a new day. So I went and put on a my wrap/brace for my hip, taped my wrists and started the session. When I put on the wrap/brace it was the weirdest thing, I got this feeling of security and comfort not from the brace but solely from the Lord. I Literally threw right under my PR and almost did it pain free but what was amazing is that it almost fun again. I haven't felt like that in a long long time. Knowing that the past couple years have not only been a physical battle but also a mental/emotional battle competing I couldn't help but to have a sigh of relief. A relief from the pressures I put on myself and those around me to be great. But today I felt as if I partially got my form of worship back. What a blessing. 
It's odd to have this feeling of peace when I know I'm not in the clear injury-wise. But I definitely have this peace about it that keeps me going. Today is really the first day where I feel like being persistent in prayer, being diligent in His word, and intentional in knowing Him more is something that isn't really tangible so to speak but literally something He does give us that we can feel. 
I completely understand that it's our fleshly nature to worry and be anxious but I can't help but sit and wonder why we do. God has it all under control anyways if we are obedient. Aww it's just simply mind-blowing to me! God is beyond faithful even when we least expect it. 

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Letter After Regionals

Hello FCA Family,

A few months ago I asked you all to pray for me as I entered this outdoor track season with a torn labrum in my hip. As many of you may recall, this wasn’t the first injury in my career and most likely won’t be my last with how my body responds to elite level training. Two weeks ago I did the unthinkable I placed 6th in the Big 12 Championships and threw just 8 inches under the Olympic B Standard. Many of our medical and coaching staff sat there in disbelief as they watched. God performed a miracle that day and I was just lucky to be a tool that He used. I cannot tell you how many conversations I got to have about God’s role in my success after the meet! Talk about awesome! This is the real reason why I still compete.

But I sit here today writing you this e-mail from the NCAA Regional Championships in Austin, Texas. This is my first time I’ve been able to make it this far in a season. I had high hopes of qualifying for Nationals at this meet in the Shot Put and reach the Olympic B Standard and represent our country in the Trials. God apparently had a different plan. Due to outside circumstances that were beyond my control I didn’t qualify (there is still a few chances left though). I walked away knowing that my God is still good regardless of the outcome and that tomorrow is a new day. And that my friends, that is God’s grace. God gave me strength yesterday to qualify for Nationals in the Discus, my favorite event, that I haven’t been able to throw for 2 years due to shoulder surgeries.

Yesterday I got to talk about what God has done in my life and the support system (all of you) He has given me to make moments like this possible. So today I say thank you. Thank you for always checking in. Thank you for the encouragement along the way. Thank you for rejoicing with me. Thank you for being a shoulder to cry on. But most of all thank you for the prayers and giving me a second family. A family that has taught me to seek after my God in every circumstance and pursue Him as much as He has pursued me.

“I believe in Christianity as I believe that the sun has risen: not only because I see it, but because by it I see everything else.”
― C.S. Lewis

Love,

Jacquelyne R. Leffler

... ... ... ...

Somedays I wonder why the things that have happened happen...
Somedays I wonder why God allows the things that happen...
Somedays I wonder why on earth I keep trying to overcome injury over injury...
Somedays I finally realize that everything has a purpose...

On Monday I had an MRI Arthogram on my right hip...
On Tuesday I received a text informing me I had torn my right labrum in my hip...
On Wednesday I received injections...
On Thursday I competed in the hammer...
On Friday I competed in the Shot and made finals...
On Saturday I competed in the Discus and made finals...
On Sunday I thanked God for everything...

This week we go to Emporia on Wednesday to compete...
We leave for Drake at 2 pm on Thursday...
Throw shot and discus on Friday at Drake...
Gonna be a long week...

Revelation

A few weekends ago I was out at Rock Springs helping with the FCA Mini Conference for the state of Kansas like I do every spring and fall. I had a lot of time to sit, think, reminisce, and pray. God allowed me to see the puzzle pieces of all of my injuries come together:

ACL - I found my identity in Christ and not my sport

R Shoulder - Realized that track was my new form of worship

L Shoulder - My worship had been taken away and I had to lean solely on the Lord and seek after him

L Foot - Found my strength within the Lord to compete and see the miracles he can perform

L Foot - Realized that if I have an integrity that is of Christ that my reaction to situations will become a huge testament to those around me on where I stand