By Jamie Martin
Unverferth Manufacturing Company has been recognized with an AE50 Award for its Air Command Section Control System. The award is presented by the American Society of Agricultural and Biological Engineers and honors outstanding innovation in agricultural equipment and technology.
Air Command was developed for Unverferth Pro Force dry fertilizer spreaders and is designed to help farmers apply nutrients more accurately. The system allows operators to control four separate spreader sections automatically, adjusting applications based on a programmed field coverage map. This helps ensure fertilizer is placed only where needed.
Technology is especially valuable in fields with irregular boundaries, waterways, and obstacles. By reducing overlap and missed areas, Air Command improves application consistency and limits fertilizer waste. This leads to better efficiency and lower input costs for producers.
Unlike traditional systems, Air Command uses pneumatic redirection to manage material flow. This approach provides true independent section shutoff without the need for additional conveyor belts or moving spinner platforms. The simplified design reduces complexity while maintaining precise control.
Industry experts selected Air Command as an AE50 Award recipient because of its strong engineering design and practical benefits for farmers. The system supports precision agriculture goals by improving nutrient placement while protecting crop performance.
“Air Command was engineered with real-world field challenges in mind, giving operators greater control and accuracy with every pass across the field and noticeable savings on fertilizer costs,” said Larry Unverferth, president of Unverferth Manufacturing Co., Inc. “Being recognized with an AE50 Award reinforces Unverferth’s commitment to practical innovation directly benefiting today’s farmers.”
The company will be honored at the Agricultural Equipment Technology Conference in February in Louisville, Kentucky. The conference recognizes global advancements that shape the future of agricultural engineering.
As farmers continue to seek tools that balance productivity and sustainability, technologies like Air Command play a key role. Recognition through the AE50 Award highlights the importance of practical innovation that delivers measurable value in modern agriculture.
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Categories: National