California Custom Harvester Uses Two-Way Radios for the Farm

At Midland®, we're proud to highlight farmers who keep agriculture moving forward every day. Eric Waters runs a custom harvesting operation in California and this season he's improving communication across his crew with two-way radios for the farm. 

About Eric Waters and His Farm

Operating out of Bakersfield, California, Eric Waters works on a custom harvest operation. 

"We take care of all the local dairies. We call it chop, so we make silage. We harvest corn, wheat, milo, Sudan grass- pretty much anything that they grow and they want to feed to the cows, we'll run it through our machines."

Custom harvesting plays an important role in large-scale dairy operations. Farmers rely on crews like Waters' to harvest crops efficiently and turn them into silage, which becomes feed for dairy cows throughout the year. The work requires precision, timing, and coordination across multiple machines working in the same fields. 

Waters' operation has deep roots in the area. It's a family-owned business founded by his uncle in 1967, and today it continues to serve dairies across the region .

Throughout most of the year, the team operates with about 8 employees. However, when harvest season arrives and the workload increases, the crew expands dramatically. 

"When things ramp up, that number can grow anywhere from 60 to 70 employees."

Waters grew up around the operation and started working alongside his family early on. It was his first-ever job. He left, but after since months, he missed the work, returned, and has been working on the operation ever since.

"The challenge is what I like most about farming. Then, seeing the crops int he field and the process of us chopping it, and then we put it in a pile, and then the end product, it's just satisfying."

For Waters, farming isn't just a job. It's a process that turns months of work in the field into something tangible that supports the dairy industry. 

While many people assume most dairy production happens in the Midwest, Waters says California plays a major role in the industry. 

"A lot of people don't know that California produces the most milk in the States."

Sharing His Experience

Waters began sharing his farming experience on social media in 2021, which he admits was a surprise because he says he's shy at first. 

"Social media made me step out of my shell. Once I started gaining followers, I realized people really like seeing it, so I just kept doing it."

What started as something outside his comfort zone quickly turned into a rewarding way to connect with others. Through social media, Waters has been able to attend farm shows and meet people across the industry. 

Not only has it helped him come out of his shell, but he's also been able to travel to different farm shows with companies he partners up with, talking to people about his experience. It's something he enjoys immensely. 

Using Two-Way Radios for the Farm

Running a custom harvesting operation requires constant coordination between operators, trucks, and service crews. That's one reason Waters recently added Midland® two-way radios to his operation. 

They'll be using the MicroMobile® 50-Watt GMRS Two-Way Radio Bundle - MXT500AGVP3, MicroMobile GMRS 15-Watt Two-Way Radio Farm Tractor Bundle - MXT115AGVP3, SPK200 - Amplified Universal External Speaker with AI Noise Cancellation - SPK200, GXT3000 GMRS Walkie Talkie 2 Pack - GXT3000VP4. 

"We're going to put them in the machines and then our service truck. Right now, we use cell phones and a lot of times the guys don't pick up their phones, so this is going to be a lot easier on us."

For operations with multiple harvesters and dozens of trucks moving across fields, waiting for someone to answer a phone call can slow everything down. Using two-way radios for the farm allows operators to communicate instantly with the push of a button. 

The MicroMobile radios will be installed directly in the machines and service vehicles. With higher power and vehicle-mounted antennas, they're designed to provide reliable communication across large farming areas. 

The MXT500AGVP3 with the 50-Watt GMRS radio offers strong communication capability for long-range coverage, as it boasts the most power allowed by law. It's ideal for service trucks or vehicles coordinating activity across multiple fields. 

Meanwhile, the MXT115AGVP3 with the 15-Watt GMRS radio provides dependable communication from tractors and harvesters working directly in the field. 

To help ensure operators can hear every message over loud equipment, Waters' team will also use the SPK200 External Speaker. The amplified speaker helps cut through the background noise from engines, harvesters, and other heavy-duty equipment. 

Crew members working outside vehicles can stay connected using the GXT3000 GMRS Walkie Talkie 2 Pack, giving them portable communication when they're moving between trucks, machines, and piles. 

Instant communication isn't just about efficiency, it plays an important role in safety as well. 

"Safety is going to be a big thing because we have a lot of times where machines either break down or they're not harvesting properly. The time it takes to call someone and wait for them to pick up the phone...with the radios it's going to be instant. They'll pick up and stop the machine."

Being able to immediately alert someone when something goes wrong can prevent equipment damage, reduce downtime, and protect the people working around large machinery. 

Not to mention, cell service is typically spotty or nonexistent in the locations his crew is typically working so reaching another with cell phones isn't a great option. Because two-way radios for the farm don't rely on cellular networks, crews can stay connected even in remote areas where phones may struggle to get a signal. 

March on the Farm

For many farming operations, March marks the beginning of an intense preparation period before harvest season begins. 

However, that prep keeps them just as busy.

"We'll be working on equipment pretty much all month. We'll be getting all our trucks ready. We have 40 silage trucks and six harvesters, so we stay busy working on that."

Preparing that much equipment takes time and attention to detail. Every truck, harvester, and machine needs to be inspected, serviced, and ready to run once the season begins. 

By installing two-way radios for the farm across their machines and service vehicles, Waters and his crew will be able to stay connected throughout the entire operation. 

With a new season on the horizon, Waters and his team are preparing to hit the fields once again, machines ready, trucks lined up, and communication stronger than ever.