Development and Enhancement of Decision Support Systems for Management of Natural Resources

Knowledge Area (KA)	Subject of Investigation (SOI)	Field of Science (FOS)	Percent
121	0799	1070	100%

Progress 05/05/11 to 05/04/16

Outputs
Target Audience:The target audience will be two-fold. One audience will be private landowners and land managers and the other will be managers on government owned and other installations, such as military bases and private foundations. The project will provide decision support systems (DSS) ex: BASS MIL and PESTMAN that in each use will assist decision makers in assessment of potential forage production. The models developed within the project will allow managers to assess and project production based on near real-time weather data and estimate stocking rates for range livestock users. The models will also provide forage production data that can be used to analyze and predict wildfire danger and potential timing for prescribed burning. Changes/Problems:Funding for the component of the project that involved Fort Hood (the BRASS Mil model)was not renewed 2013. This funding had been a substantial part of the project and significantly reduced activity. Proposals for funding of the Pe4stman DSS that requires updating of some components were not funded. What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?Students in classes, such as EEEM 317, ESSM 415 and ESSM 612 have been taught the principals involved in the BRASS model, and have been given assignments in the use of the PESTMAN (Pest Management) DSS. The latter DSS was included in class projects and students evaluated on successful use of the model to solve natural resource problems. Additionally, the PESTMAN DSS is available online and is used by grazing land managers, technical service providers (NRCS, Extension personnel and private consultants in the field as a basis for selecting technically feasible and environmentally sound mechanical and chemical brush and weed control practices.The model also provides the capability for users to do long term economic assessment of their decision for technology inputs. PESTMAN training was provided to Texas NRCE personnel via a webinar. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?There were papers that were given at national meetings (Society for Range Management, etc.) or equivalent, or published in proceedings to reach communities.PESTMAN training was provided to Texas NRCE personnel via a webinar. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals? Nothing Reported

Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals? The BRASS Mil (Burning Risk Advisory Support System - Military) was essentially completed and delivered to the U.S. Army Post Ft. Hood to be installed in the radio room as a DSS for tracking the movement of fires on the base. It also provides continuous updates on the herbaceous fuel conditions and potential (risk) for wildfires. The Army stated that there are approximately 30 training days lost at Ft. Hood annually due to the actual threat of fires affecting troops in training mode or the potential for fires to do so. BRASS-Mil provides a way to call fire control equipment to a fire or, just as important, to determine that because of the movement, direction and speed, that no danger exists and allow training to continue.

Publications

Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2018 Citation: Lyons, R.K., Megan Clayton, W.T. Hamilton, L. Redmond, B. Rector and C. Kneuper, Chemical weed and brush control suggestions for rangeland. 2018 Bull, ERM 1466. Texas Agrilife Extension. 37pp.
Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Other Year Published: 2012 Citation: Rhodes, W.C., W. Shaw, J.P.Angerer, D. Tolleson, RL Naylor, W. Hamilton, and J.r. Conner.2012 Near real-time characterixation and modeling of non-forested vegetation and fuel bed growth dynamics with the Phytomass Growth Simulator (PHYGROW) and Burning Risk Advisory Support System(Bass). 2012. Southwest Fire Ecology Conference, Santa Fe , N.M
Type: Other Status: Other Year Published: 2012 Citation: Rhodes. WC, W Shaw, RL Naylor, T.Brown, W Hamilton, JR Conner, and J Angerer. 2012. Modeling grazing utilization on Fort Hood, Texas using Inverse Distance Weighted Interpolation. Society for Range Management 65th Annual Meeting, Spokane, WA
Type: Other Status: Other Year Published: 2012 Citation: Shaw, WJ Angerer, E Rhodes, RL Naylor, T Brown, WT Hamilton, and JR Conner.2012 Determine plant growth stages and leaf moisture content in PHYGROW using daily leaf growth and leaf turnover. Society for Range Management 66th annual meeting. Oklahoma City OK
Type: Other Status: Other Year Published: 2011 Citation: Rhodes, EC, D Tolleson, J Kava, T Brown, WT Hamilton, and JR Conner. 2011. Calibration of the Phytomass Growth Simulator (PHYGROW) model for herbaceous vegetation and fine fuels production using different sampling methods. 9th International Rangeland Congress., April 2-8,2011. Rosario Argentina.
Type: Other Status: Other Year Published: 2011 Citation: Rhodes EC, W Shaw, RL Naylor, T Brown, W Hamilton, JR Conner, JS Jones, and J Angerer. 2011. Development of Moist Aimilar Neighbor(MSN) polygons for use with the Burning Risk Advisory Support System (Brass) on Fort Hood, Texas. Society for RANGE management 64TH ANNUAL meeting. Billings, MT

Progress 10/01/13 to 09/30/14

Outputs
Target Audience: The target audience is land owners/managers and agency personnel (USFS, TFS) etc.) that make decisions relative to management of rangeland resources, as well as technical support personnel that provide consulting assistance to rangeland managers. Changes/Problems: Nothing Reported What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided? New informatilon related to the use of ecological site descriptions is being developed, This information will provide a basis for training many resource managers from private and public agencies interested in the prediction of fuel and wildfire potential. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest? At this point, since the TFS study is a proof of concept study and not yet finalized, only TFS is receiving the information. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals? Complete the TFS project and find funding for the revision of the Pestman DSS. Continue to contribute to the development of DSS and combinations to enhance accuracy in the decislion making capacity of land managenrs. Continue to work with consulting groups and USDA RMA to implement the expansion of their PRF product to include a "drought endorsement" tha will better relate insured to actual climatic perils.

Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals? The Texas Forest Service provided funding for a proof of concept study to determine the potential for using ecological sites and the PHYGROW (forage production) model as a basis for estimating fuel loads and potential wildfire risk. TFS has mapped fire danger zones in Texas. One of these zones is in north Texas and includes the counties of Jack, Palor Pinto and Stevens.Field surveys to gather vegetation data were conducted on the 10 ecological sites that comprised 80% of the land area in the counties. Correlations to compare predictions of the model and data from the ecological site descriptions we done and are promising. An initial report was provided to TFS and a field trip with personnel from the agency will be made in April 2015. The objective of the product will be to provide TFS personel with the capability to assess potential fuel loads in large areas of the state and position wildfire fighting equipment in key locations prior to fire season. This product would have application across all rangeland areas and require minimal man-hours of field time for costly on-site measurements and would also have application for other publid land management agencies.

Publications

Progress 01/01/13 to 09/30/13

Outputs
Target Audience: Rangeland producers, Graduate students, USDA NRCS and Extension personnel Changes/Problems: Nothing Reported What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided? PestMan DSS was used with 33 graduate studnets in elearning courses at Texas A&M University, including one course that had students from the University of Arizona. The students performed multiple analyses using the model and performance ratings were high. Serveral of the students are in professional positions as technical service providers and are actively using PestMan with clients in their field operations. Through the Texas Forest Service project utilizing the PHYGROW and BRASS models, TFS personnel are assisting in the field surveys and becoming familliar with the specific techniques used. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest? Graduates form several of the departments within the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences at Texas A&M University are frequently hired by State and Federal agencies (Extension, NRCS, USFS, FLM, etc.) Many of these students have been trained in the use of the PestMan and other DSS and bring this knowledge into their work and interactions with clients via training activities. Additinally past graduates that continue their eduction via distance learning at the University are able to get trained in these DSS. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals? There are other DSS that have been developed by CNRIT that are not currently being used as effectively as PestMan and several of them need to be reviewed and updated. Ways to make these DSS more available to users will be explored.

Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals? The PestMan (Pest Management) Decision Suport System (DSS) is available through CNRIT and has been released for use in Texas and New Mexico and by producers, consultants and technical advisors in the field. The PHYGROW plant growth model is currently being used in a new project funded by the Texas Forest Service to determine the efficacy of sample size to predict fine fuel amounts ond corresponding fire risk in 3 counties in Texas, Jack, Stephens and Palo Pinto. The BRASS DSS burning risk assessment and support system is being used in conjunction with the PHYGROW model in the Texas Forest Service project. The BRASS model is continuing to be evaluated for performance at Ft. Hood, Texas where it has been installed (BRASS-MIL).

Publications

Progress 01/01/12 to 12/31/12

Outputs
OUTPUTS: PHYGROW, a weather-driven phytomass growth model, is a product of this project in conjunction with other PI from the Center for Natural Resource Information Technology (CNRIT)over several years. PHYGROW predicts herbaceous forage production that can be used directly or be fed into a burning risk assessment support system (BRASS), as fuel load used to predict fire characteristics and spread. During CY 2012, use of the models was discussed with the Texas Forest Service as a potential way to assess fire danger and control. A 3-county area in central Texas (Jack, palo Pinto and Stephens counties) were designated as an area of high interest and a project was funded to begin work in the area to determine the leval of resolution of vegetation characterization needed for accurate model outputs.This work is involving both TAMU AgriLife Extension and NRCS personnel and is seen as also being of interest to County Commiccioners Courts in the assessment of fire conditions and burn ban declarations. Meetings were held during the year at Fort Hood, Texas in an effort to finalize installation of the BRASS model for use in fire danger prediction and control. Funding was obtained for validation studies on the base of accuracy of the PHYGROW forage (Fuel) predictions. The BRASS model continued in use during the CY by the U.S. Forest Service in National Forests in New Mexico and Arizona. The PESTMAN brush and weed management technology selection and economic analysis decision support system has had 6,205 hits since being placed on the internet in January of 2010, with 1,189 of these hits in the last 6-months of CY 2012. The USDA Risk Management Agency funded Pasture Range Forage Rainfall Index (PRF RI)and Vegetationn Index (PRF VI)were expanded to a total of 28 states for the CY as a contdinuing part of the pilot project for these products. PARTICIPANTS: Dr. Richard Conner and Dr. Jay angerer, PI within the Center for Natural Resources Information Technology (CNRIT)and Assistant Research Scientists and Research Associates, Jason Jones, Will Shaw, Ed Rhodes, Loren Naylor, Tim Brown and others, including graduate students, worked on the project. Partners or collaborating organizations include Texas Forest Service and U.S. Forest Service (PHYGROW/BRASS), DoD Ft. Hood (PHYGROW/BRASS), USDA NRCS (PESTMAN) and USDA RMA and TAMU AgriLife Research (PRF RI and VI). Funding was available for attendance at professional society meetings and presentations of papers/posters by CNRIT personnel. The DSS that are associated with the project are taught in classes at Texas A&M University, Department of Ecosystem Science and management. TARGET AUDIENCES: Target audiences for the project include Texas and U.S. Forest Services (PHYGROW/BRASS), military bases with wildlands and fire potentials (PHYGROW/BRASS), private consultants, state and federal technical agency personnel and producers (PESTMAN) and U.S. forage producers (PRF RI and VI). PROJECT MODIFICATIONS: Nothing significant to report.

Impacts
The BRASS model was tested against two wildfires that had previously ocurred on Fort Hood and the model predicted the direction and area of the fires spread based on aerial photography; however, since the time of the actual spread was not well documented (polygons for 30 minute intervals), the degree of accuracy could not be fully determined. Work at Fort Hood also indicated that adjustments were needed in the model in the event of crown fires in the juniper component. The PESTMAN DSS is being used regularly in Texas and is aparently providing good guidance to users in the selection of mechanical and chemical brush and weed control technologies and gives them the capability to analyze the economic impact of their decisions. The PRF indices are being used to determine insurance indemnities based on deviation from long-term rainfall or NDVI values within a grided system across the major portion of the U.S. The PRF RI and VI systems are providing the first Federally supported forage based insurance program for producers and is being well-accepted.

Publications

Rhodes, W.C., W. Shaw, J.P. Angerer, D. Tolleson, R.L. Naylor, W. Hamilton, and J.R. Conner. 2012 Near real-time characterization and modeling of non-forested vegetation and fuel bed growth dynamics with the Phytomass Growth Simulator (PHYGROW) and Burning Risk Advisory Support System (BRASS). 2012. Southwest Fire Ecology Conference, Santa Fe, NM.
Rhodes, E., W. Shaw, R.L. Naylor, T. Brown, W. Hamilton, J.R. Conner, and J. Angerer. 2012. Modeling grazing utilization on Fort Hood, Texas using Inverse Distance Weighted Interpolation. Society for Range Management 65th Annual Meeting, Spokane, WA.
Shaw, W. J. Angerer, E. Rhodes, R.L. Naylor, T. Brown, W. Hamilton, and J.R. Conner. 2012. Determining plant growth stages and leaf moisture content iln PHYGROW using daily leaf growth and leaf turnover. Society for Range Management 66th Annual Meeting, Oklahoma, City, OK.( Note: paper accepted in CY 2012.)

Progress 05/05/11 to 12/31/11

Outputs
OUTPUTS: This project is only 8 months old at this reporting date. PestMan Decision Support System: Number of Producers Reached Since May 5, 2011: PestMan Decision Support System - 466 PestMan Help Website - 63 Grazing Program Field Day, Riesel, Texas, Oct. 21, 2011 - 60 Beef Cattle Short Course August 1-2, 2011 at Texas A&M - 102 Dr. O. D. Butler Forage Field Day, May 20, 2011 - 150 Range Analysis and Management Planning Course, Oct. 2011 - 23 Country World Magazine article - 28,000 circulation BRASS-G, BRASS-MIL and PHYGROW Decision Support Systems: The Texas Foprest Service has agreed to include BRASS-G in a proposal for funding to use the system in a proof-of-concept experiment to determine the accepltable resolution of the DSS for determining fine fuel loads on a regional basis. This would bring utility of the DSS to thousands of Texas citizens as it helps mitigate fire danger. The BRASS-G system uses the PHYGROW DSS to provide daily forage production. The BRASS-MIL system was provided to Ft. Hood for use in their fire control program during the reporting period; however the system covers fire control support for the 50,000 personnel on Ft. Hood, and the surrounding civilian communties. PRF-RI and PRF-VI Indexed insurance programs: The two alternatives developed for a forage loss insurance program, PRF- RI, Pasture Range Forage Rainfall Index, and PRF-VI, Pasture Range Forage Vegetation Index, are being used for the fourth year in 24 states as a pilot project with potential to develop into a national USDA RMA program. Theprograms have continued to provide deviation from long-term normal precipitation,PRF-RI, and NDVI values, PRF-VI, for use by USDA RMA in determining insurance indemnities to be paid forage producers in 26 states in the pilot study for the programs. Thousands of producers utilized the programs as the basis for insuring their forage resources during the reporting period. PARTICIPANTS: J. R. Conner, Jay Angerer, Will Shaw, Loren Naylor all worked as collaborators during the period. TARGET AUDIENCES: Nothing significant to report during this reporting period. PROJECT MODIFICATIONS: Nothing significant to report during this reporting period.

Impacts
No significant outcome or impacts during the period.

Publications

No publications reported this period

Progress 01/01/10 to 12/31/10

Outputs
OUTPUTS: The BRASS-MIL (Burning Risk Assessment Support System - Military) was used in 2010 by Ft. Hood, TX to test against data generated from wildfires that had occurred prior to installation of the system, as well as to predict growth of real-time fires when they occurred since installation. Validation of the BRASS model in use by the USFS in New Mexico and Arizona and by Ft. Hood continued in 2010. Two web sites are available for use of BRASS by the Lincoln and Coconino National Forests, http://cnrit.tamu.edu/ci_website/lincoln and http://cnrit.tamu.edu ci_website/v-v. PESTMAN, a web-based program for brush and weed management technology selection and economic analysis was approved by the funding organization, USDA Risk Managment Agency, in late 2009 and was released for general use on the internet. This DSS was available for public access beginning June 28, 2010 and was visited on the internet 1400 times by 833 visitors. On June 30, 2010, RMA announced expansion of the Pasture, Rangeland, and Forage (PRF) plan of insurance along with enhancements to its Vegetation Index program for the 2011 crop year. These programs were developed by a team of scientists including those associated with project TX08605. Under the Rainfall Index (RI)-PRF plan of insurance, RMA will expand coverage for the 2011 crop year to specific counties in Colorado, and all counties in the states of California, Florida, Georgia, New York, North Dakota, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, and Texas, bringing the total number of States where the program is available to 16. The Vegetation Index (VI)-PRF will be expanded to the balance of counties in Idaho, Oregon, and South Dakota, and all counties in the states of Arizona, New Mexico, and Utah for 2011, bringing the State total where VI-PRF is available to 9. In order to better predict livestock forage utilization and production on Fort Hood TX, the project installed a grazing study designed to capture annual herbaceous production consumed by grazers on multiple sites. Two years of data (2009 and 2010) from the study have been compiled and will be available to Ft. Hood personnel. PARTICIPANTS: Personnel from the ITAM Unit at Ft. Hood, TX collaborated on the BRASS-MIL project. Personnel from Texas Agrilife Extension , New Mexico State University Extension, and USDA NRCS, as well as USDA RMA, participated and collaborated in the PESTMAN project. Training was provided for NRCS and Texas AgriLife Extension Range Specialists. USFS personnel from the Coconino National Forest and from Region 3 participated in the BRASS project. Personnel from AgForce, a private consulting company, GMS, a private consulting company, CNRIT (Center for Natural Resources Information Technology) and RMA participated in the development and expansion of the PRF programs. TARGET AUDIENCES: BRASS-MIL and BRASS (USFS) targets the decision makers in those organizations involved with natural resources management, specifically fire-based decisions. PESTMAN targets Texas and New Mexico State Extension Range Specialists and NRCS personnel, as well as private technical service providers (consultants) and land managers. PRF targets land owners qualified to purchase forage-based crop insurance provided by the FCIC. PROJECT MODIFICATIONS: The project has turned more to the development and implementation of decision support systems and the enhancement and combination of exiting decisions support systems.

Impacts
Results of tests of the BRASS-MIL model by Ft. Hood, TX established that it could adequately follow the movement of past wildfires from data collected during burns. The model also has shown the capacity to successfully predict the movement of real-time fires from place and time of start at 30 minute intervals; providing data on flame height, rate of spread and area covered. Ft. Hood loses 30 training days a year to disruption of activities caused by wildfires. BRASS provides a way to assess burns and to make proactive decisions on which, if any, activities will be involved by fires, as well decisions for deploying the correct amount and kind of fire-fighting equipmnent. The BRASS system, now active for the Lincoln and Coconino National Forest provides the USFS with the capability of determining the level of fire risk and assessing fire parameters based on 1 hr (fine fuel) loads in non-forested areas, thus supporting decisions for wildfire control as well as prescribed burning. The PESTMAN system is providing users with decision support on selection of the technically correct mechancical practies and label consistent chemical herbicide products specific to their conditions for brush and weed management in Texas and New Mexico. PESTMAN provides treatment recommendations, including mixing of combinations of chemicals and adjuvants, as well as timing of applications and application techniques. The system also provides the capacity for users to develop response curves reflecting treatment scenarios and to derive economic impact of the application of technologies on their resources. The PRF Rainfall (RI)and Vegetatiove Index (VI) programs are now providing the basis for perennial forage producers in 25 states to participate in a forage-based crop insurance program for the first time. The RI program utilizes NOA 12 x 12 mile weather grids and deviation from long-term (since 1948) weather records for a specific grid during 2-month intervals of the year selected by producers to calculate potential insurance indemnities. The VI program untilizes EROS NDVI data applied to 4.8 x 4.8 mile grids to generate NDVI values as a basis for determining deviation from long-term (since 1989) values for 3-month intervals selected by producers to calculate potential indemnities. The objectives of the "paired plot" grazing study at Ft Hood, TX are to more accurately assess total herbaceous production and utilization, measure total annual herbaceous production under grazing, determine seasonal variations in herbaceous production under grazing, determine utilization throughout the year based on growth stage of plants, and capture the spatial distribution of utilization around the base. Preliminary results indicate that at the installation scale, grazing utilization appears to be light to moderate with an average utilization of 27%. At more localized scales, very high levels of grazing utilization occurred. While providing some useful data at this point in time, the study needs several more years of data for definitive conclusions.

Publications

Shaw, W., E.C. Rhodes , J.S. Jones, T. Brown, R. L. Naylor, W.T. Hamilton, and J. R. Conner. 2010. Near-real time prediction of wildfire risk on grazing lands with the Burning Risk Advisory Support System (BRASS). Soil and Water Conservation Society 65th Annual Conference, St. Louis, Missouri. July 18-21.
Hamilton, W.T. and J.R. Conner. 2010. Overview and technical aspects of rainfall and vegetation indices for pasture, rangeland, forage programs of insurance. 2nd annual meeting Remote Sensing Index Based Crop Insurance Working Group, San Francisco, CA. Aug. 10-11.
Zander, K., K. Banik, T. Brown, J. P. Angerer, W. Shaw, E.C. Rhodes, J. S. Jones, S. Prince, R. L.Naylor, W.T. Hamilton, and J. R. Conner. 2010. Forage Risk Assessment and Management System (FRAMS), a Web Based System For Providing Ranchers With Financial And Conservation Risk Management Tools. Soil and Water Conservation Society 65th Annual Conference, St. Louis, Missouri. July 18-21.
Naylor, R.L., K.T. Lair, C. Chambers, E.C. Rhodes, T. Brown, D.J. Kwiatkowski, Jr., W.T.Hamilton, J. R. Conner, A. McGinty, and K. McDaniel. 2010. Economic And Efficacy Analysis Of Brush And Weed Management Practices In Texas And New Mexico Using The Pestman Decision Support System. Soil and Water Conservation Society 65th Annual Conference, St. Louis, Missouri. July 18-21.
Rhodes, E., W.Shaw, R. L. Naylor, T. Brown, W. T. Hamilton, J. R. Conner, J. S, Jones, J. Angerer. 2011. Development of Most Similar Neighbor (MSN) Polygons for use with the Burning Risk Advisory Support System (BRASS) on Fort Hood, Texas. Sixty-fifth Annual Meeting Society for Range Management, Billings, MT. Feb. 5-11.

Progress 01/01/09 to 12/31/09

Outputs
OUTPUTS: A prototype of the BRASS-MIL (Burning Risk Assessment Support System - Military) decision support system (DSS) was delivered to US Army Ft. Hood, Texas in 2009, with the final delivery and installation to be made by September 30, 2010. BRASS-MIL was demonstrated at the US Army Sustainable Range Program Workshop in Indianapolis July 6-10, 2009. The PHYGROW model (phytomass growth model)is included in the BRASS model, but is also being considered separately by the Texas Forest Service for use in predicting fine fuel loads in critical areas of the state.The US Forest Service continued to use the BRASS model to assess fuel loads and burning risk in non-forested areas of National Forests in New Mexico (Lincoln) and Arizona (Coconino). The FRAMS (Forage Risk Assessment and Management System),also using the PHYGROW model, continued to be evaluated by ranchers in four states (Texas, Oklahoma, Wyoming and New Mexico)as a drought mitigation DSS. USDA RMA continued to utilize the systems contributed to by this project, the Rainfall and NDVI based Pasture, Range and Forage (PRF) insurance program, in multiple states within the U.S in their pilot project. Fourteen states are now using the system for providing drought risk insurance products for producers. USDA RMA accepted and approved the PestMan (Pest Management) system developed by this project; a DSS for assisting users in the selection of appropriate brush and weed control mechanical and chemical technologies and then assessing the economic impact of their decisions. This product in now online and available for use in Texas and New Mexico. PARTICIPANTS: CNRIT (Center for Natural Resources Information Technology), TAMU US Forest Service, Region III US Army Ft. Hood, Texas USDA RMA (Ris Management Agency) USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service Central Texas Cattle Raisers Association Multiple graduate students TARGET AUDIENCES: US Military installations (BRASS-MIL) US forage producers (ranchers and pasture/hayland producers) USDA Agencies PROJECT MODIFICATIONS: There has been a change of approach in the project to more emphasis on the development of decision support systems (DSS) and less on remote sensing, although remote sensing is still a vital part of the project for characterization of landscapes feeding into the PHYGROW model.

Impacts
Validation and evaluation of the BRASS model in use by the US forest Service, US army and private grazinglands producers indicate a good correlation (average r2 = .84). This means that model predicted fine fuel loads on a daily basis, combined with near real time NOAA weather and entered into a fire behavior model gives accurate outputs for fire parameters such as burn area, rate of spread, and flame length, etc. to help users determine best conditions for prescribed burning, as well as risks of wildfire and containment strategies not previously available. The PRF insurance products are in use as the basis for determining insurance indemnities for forage producers, thus providing a major new drought risk mitigation tool for forage producers where it is currenly being piloted in fourteen states. The PestMan DSS is now allowing users in two states to pick the technically recommended and label consistent (chemicals) brush and weed management treatment alterntives to improve the efficiency and safety of use of these practices. PestMan also provides a basis for estimating the net present value of brush managment decisions as well as an internal rate of return on the investment. The FRAMS product is allowing the beta testing producers using the model to invoke the PHYGROW model on their ranches to predict forage production compared to long term (since 1948) average and deviation therefrom and make assessments of risks in livestock operations based on predicted (30, 60, 90 day) forage supplies. This information provides a basis for "keep or sell" decisions as well as a least cost of feed calculator if feeding is needed to offset forage shortfalls. This comprehensive model, when in general use, could save producers significant resources and improve the efficiency of their operations.

Publications

Jones, J.S., W. Shaw, E.C. Rhodes, M.F. Morrow, T. Brown, R.L. Naylor, W.T.Hamilton, and J.R. Conner. 2009. Using the Burning Risk Advisory Support System (BRASS) to assess fire effects in grasslands. Association for Fire Ecology 4th International Fire Ecology & Management Congress, Savannah, GA. Dec. 2009.
Lair, K.T. , C. Chambers, D.J. Kwiatkowski, Jr., W.T. Hamilton, J.R. Conner, A. McGinty, and K. C. McDaniel.. 2010. Pestman: a decision support system for brush management in Texas and New Mexico. Annual meeting SRM, Denver, CO. Feb. 7-11.
Tolleson, D., J. Kava, T. Brown,. E. C. Rhodes, W. Shaw, J.R. Conner and W. T. Hamilton. 2010. Validation of the Phytomass (PHYGROW) model to predict wildland fire fuel or forage standing crop on Arizona ranglands. Annual Meeting SRM, Denver, CO. Feb. 7-11.
Rhodes, E.C., D. Tolleson, W. Shaw, J. Kava, T. Brown, W.T. Hamilton and J.R. Conner. 2010. An enhanced quadrat frequency method for PHYGROW modeling of non-forested areas. Annual Meeting SRM, Denver, CO. Feb. 7-11.

Progress 01/01/08 to 12/31/08

Outputs
OUTPUTS: Continued to work with USDA Risk Management Agency (RMA) on expansion of the Pasture, Range Forage Rainfall Index (PRF RI) and Pasture, Range Forage Vegetation Index (PRF VI) insurance programs developed by CNRIT and AgriLife Research and now being piloted in 14 states in the U.S. PRF indices allow remote determinations of precipitation using NOAA weather(RI) or NDVI values (VI). Forage-based producers in the pilot states are now eligible for insurance policies based on PRF RI or PRF VI deviation from long-term average values. Information on the PRF products is disseminated via the RMA website and websites of the participating insurance companies, as well as user group presentations (eg.,South Dakota and Idaho in 2008). Continued work on the development of the PESTMAN (Pest Management) DSS for selection of technically appropriate chemical and mechanical brush and weed management alternatives and assessment of the economic impact of decisions. This product was disseminated to users by multiple presentations at producer organization meetings in 2008. Continued deveopment of BRASS (Burning Risk Assessment Support System) for use by USFS and by DOD, Ft. Hood. These DSS were shared with users during the 2008 calendar year by on-site surveys and participation in data collecting. BRASS includes the use of fly-over imagery for remote sensing of vegetation conditions in polygons as part of the MSN (Most Similar Neighbor) method for expanding on-site survey data across broad areas of rangeland. Expanded use of the FRAMS DSS (Forage Risk Assessment and Management System) on private ranches in TX, NM, LA, and OK. FRAMS allows individual landowners to remotely monitor forage resources and supports decisions for destocking, keep and feed, etc. and the economic impact of these decisions. FRAMS uses the PHYGROW model to track forage production and projects production for 30, 60 and 90 days into the future. PARTICIPANTS: Individuals: Texas AgriLife Research: Richard Conner, Will Shaw, Michael Morrow, Jason Jones, Tim Brown, Bryce Thomas, Ed Rhodes, Kris Banik, Kristen Zander and Krystal Lair. Partner Organizations: AgriLogic Company, USDA RMA. Collaborators: DOD Ft. Hood ITAM Division, USFS, USDA NRCS. TARGET AUDIENCES: US Army Military bases Private Landowners US Forest Services Region 3 forests PROJECT MODIFICATIONS: The original project included the Leon River Restoration Project in Coryell and Hamilton Counties, Texas. This project did not receive funding in 2008 and the above ennumnerated projects have become the primary activies. Because of this change, Dr. Fred Smeins and Dr. Neal Wilkins should be removed from the project and Dr. J. W. Stuth is deceased. Dr. Richard Conner and Dr. Jay Angerer should be added.

Impacts
The objective of the project is to develop technologies that contribute to remote sensing of rangeland ecosystems and foster improved decision making by rangeland managers. The use of the MSN technique developed for use by the USFS and applied on Ft. Hood, Texas shows the adaptability and functionality of MSN for remote sensing and expansion of data for characterization of large rangeland areas. This has the potential to save large numbers of man hours and on-site labor. The PHYGROW model allows remote sensing of forage production from rangeland and can be used as a basis for determining 1hr fuel for use in fire behavior models to predict rate of frie spread, flame length and 30 and 60 minute burn areas. This model, as a llpert of BRASS and when completely incorportated into the Ft. Hood training component, will allow tracking and more efficient control of wildfires that are significant in training time losses on the fort, as well as the planning fo prescribed burns.

Publications

No publications reported this period

Progress 01/01/07 to 12/31/07

Outputs
OUTPUTS: The Phygrow forage production simulation model is being used in a variety of applications for remote detection of grazingland biomass as forage for grazing animals and fine fuel loads (FRAMS Forage risk assessment and management system)for fire-based management decisions (BRASS burning risk assessment system). It is being used by the military (Ft. Hood, Texas) and individual ranchers in Texas, New Mexico, Oklahoma and Wyoming in decision support systems that track forage/fuel production combined with continuous NOAA weather and then put through USFS fire models to output forage production and assess fire risk and opportunities for prescribed burning. We are also working with Ft. Hood and the USFS to develop MSN (most similar neighbor) remote sensing capability for characteristics of landscape polygons. PARTICIPANTS: Individual working on the project include: Wayne Hamilton, Richard Conner, Will Shaw, Tim Brown, Bryce Thomas, Jason Jones, Michael Morrow and Ed Rhodes. Partners include: Ft. Hood Texas (DOD funding source), USFS (funding source, USDA Rish Management Agency (funding source, NRCS (funding source) TARGET AUDIENCES: Public land agencies, technical service angencies, military, private land owners.

Impacts
The BRASS DSS has been through Alpha and Beta testers in the ranching community and the US FS and has been found to be useful to their needs for fire risk assessment, particularly in determining the combination of fine fuel and weather variables that contribute to fire in natural system. The FRAMS DSS has also been tested through Alph and Beta testing groups of ranchers that have reported to USDA RMA, the funding agency, that the system has merit in determining ranch livestock decisions based on forage supplies predicted by the model. It is anticipated that the Phygrow model will be found useful to additional military installation and to private and federal land managers as a component of DSS that allow remote sensing of forage and related variables. The MSN technology will allow the use of selected polygons to derive characteristics that can then be allocated to many others over large areas withouot expensive field survey techniques.

Publications

No publications reported this period

Progress 01/01/06 to 12/31/06

Outputs
Work continued with the US Forest Service on use of the PHYGROW model to predict 1-hr fuel loads and feed data into a fire behavior model as a decision support system for prescribed burning. USFS is also interested in remotely sensing large areas of non-forested lands within National Forests with use of MSN technology (most similar neighbor). This method will allow the PHYGROW model output on a fraction of the total polygons within non-forested areas to be expanded over the entire areas. This work with USFS is being conducted in the Lincoln National Forest in New Mexico and the Prescott and Coronado Forests in Arizona. An MOA was executed with the military at Ft. Hood to begin a 4 year project called VFEMS (vegetation, fire and erosion monitoring system), as well as a separate proof of concept study on Ft. Hood using NDVI images to monitor training influences on vegetation. Work also continued with USDA RMA (Risk Management Agency) on the Pasture, Rangeland and Forage Rainfall and Vegetation (NDVI) index methods for determining insurance indemnities for grazingland producers. These two projects are now in pilot status in 7 states and 231 counties in the U.S.

Impacts
All of the work research that utilizes remote sensing technologies will have a large impact on reducing the costs of assessing grazingland vegetation for a variety of purposes, including fire control, grazing, military training and other uses. The insurance products will support grazingland producers and make a big difference in their economic.stability.

Publications

G.J. Wingenbach, N. Chmielewski, J. Smith, M. Pina, Jr. and W.T. Hamilton. 2006. Barriers to international experiential participation: A case study. Journal of International Agricultural and Extension Education 112 pp.
Woodard, J.B., U.P. Kreuter, W.T. Hamilton, R.R. Lopez, C.A. Taylor and W. R. Teague. 2006. Perceptions of landowners in Texas regarding fire and its use. Rangeland Ecology and management (submitted).
S. Dube, S.C. Popescu, F.E. Smeins and W.T. Hamilton, 2006. Potential use of remote sensing technologies in delineating ecological sites in Coryell county, Texas. Proceedings of the 41st Annual Congress-Grassland Society of Southern Africa (17-21 July) Bela Bela, South Africa.
Hamilton, W.T. 2005. Integrated brush management systems (IBMS): enhancing adoption by stakeholders. In Proc. Fire as a tool for managing wildlife habitats in Texas: a symposium for land managers. Texas Cooperative Extension, San Angelo, Texas. 272 pp.
Hamilton, W.T. and J. R. Conner. 2006. Maintenance brush control: does it pay? In Proc. Manual of technologies: Texas-Mexico field days and demonstration sites. Center for Grazinglands and Ranch Management. 217 pp.
Hamilton, W.T. and C. W. Hanselka. 2006. Economic assessment of buffelgras (Cenchrus ciliaris) restoration practices. In Proc. Manual of technologies: Texas-Mexico field days and demonstration sites. Center for Grazinglands and Ranch Management. 217 pp.
Smith, J., N. Chmielewski, G.J. Wingenbach, M. Pina, Jr., W.T. Hamilton. 2005. Investigating barriers to international experiences through experiential education. In Proc. CONAHEC 10th North American Higher Education Conference, San Juan, Puerto Rico.

Progress 01/01/05 to 12/31/05

Outputs
Dr. Shikalzo Dube used Lidar images and ground truthing to identify ecological sites and produce general classification of vegetation in the Coryell Creek area of the Leon River Restoration Poject. Following Dr. Dubes departure from the project, Mr. Michael Morrow is continuing this work with Lidar images. The expectation is that the combination of Lidar and ground surveys will train the images to provide enough information to determine the ecological vegetation steady states and estimates of herbaceous species and production. Funding has been obtained from DOD to move forward on the use of the the PHYGROW model and NDVI to develop the VFEMS (Vegetation, Fires, and Erosion Management System) on Ft. Hood. Contact has been made with personnel at Ft. Hood.

Impacts
Expected impact from the remote sensing work via Lidar and other imagery, as well as the PHYGROW model will be to eventually reduce the on-site personnel and time requirements to assess vegetation parameters for management deicsion making.

Publications

No publications reported this period

Progress 12/31/04 to 12/31/05

Outputs
This is a new project that is just getting underway. A grant was obtained from the Joe Skeen Institute for Range Research that allowed the project to bring on board a PhD student, Shikalazo Dube, who has good background and training in the use of GIS and high resolution imagery. He has also worked with ecological sites and is familiar with ecological site descriptions. Mr. Dube will work with the team from Dr. Neal Wilkins lab that is cooperating with the University of Texas Center for Space Research on the use of LIDAR and QuickBird images to identify plant communities and ecological sites within the Leon River Restoration Project (LRRP), a watershed project in Coryell and Hamilton counties, Texas. The purpose of this work will be to use images and ground surveys to develop a high degree of accuracy in identifying key vegetation compositions on rangelands within the watershed that are important for wildlife habitat, particularly the endangered species, the Golden-cheeked Warbler and the Black-capped Vireo. The goal of the research will be to use these data to transfer information from where it was gathered using the imagery to similar ecological sites and vegetation compositions across the LRRP and other areas. This information can be use din brsuh management and other resource management programs. The Departemnt of Defense has appropriated funds for Ft. Hood to develop a training impact model and a burning risk adviskory system. Stuth and Hamilton will begin these projects in the summer of 2005.

Impacts
Important parameters of rangeland vegetation, such as production and composition by species, are difficult to measure. These parameters are even more difficult to measure with remote sensing technologies, such as airborne or satellite imagery, or indexes derived from such imagery, including Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI.). The project is proposed to examine and evaluate technologies for remote sensing of rangeland ecosystems to facilitate extrapolation of site specific, ground-truthed data to larger landscapes. The DOD is very interested in the impact of heavy vhicular training on Ft. Hood on soil ersosion. The use of the PHYGRWO biophysical model to define the soil parameter changes and guide training decisions would be extremely beneficial to the Army on Ft. Hood and has the potential for use on other facilities.

Publications

No publications reported this period

Progress 01/01/04 to 12/31/04

Outputs
Continued to work with Drs. Jerry Stuth and Richard Conner on development of the Texas Livestock Early Warning System (TxLEWS) for forage production risk assessment by livestock producers. The system is now being used at four locations in Texas and Oklahoma. Continued to expand the use of the Texas Digital Diagnostics system with over 1200 samples now having been diagnosed by system diagnosticians. Revised the EXSEL (Expert System for Brush and Weed Control Technology Selection) program and put it back on line for general use on the internet as a decision support system. Received a grant from the Joe Skeen Institute for Range Research to include the use of high resolution airborne and satellite imagery for vegetation analysis in the Leon River Resotration Project. It is hoped that this imagery will allow remote sensing of vegetation data critical to watersheds to support management decisions.

Impacts
The TxLEWS system will provide ranchers with a graph for the deviation of their current forage production from the long-term average on a daily, weekly or bi-weekly basis. As deviation falls below the average, projections can be made for probablilities of recovery to average production within 30, 60 and 90 days. This information will assist land managers in determining best stocking decisions and reduce the overuse of range resources by fostering early reductions in livestock numbers, as well as saving the costs of feed supplements. If it can be shown that high resolution imagery, including Lidar, will allow accurate assessment of vegetation communities in the Leon River Restoration Project, large areas of landscape in watersheds within the Edwards Plateau and other MLRA with the same ecological sites can be remotely measured for planning and application. This has the potential to reduce costs by dramatically reducing the time and personnel requirements associated with physical assessments.

Publications

Hamilton, W. T. 2003. Drought: managing for and during the bad years. Pages 133-152 In C. A. Forgason, F. C. Bryant and P. C. Genho, eds. Ranch Management: Integrating Cattle, Wildlife, and Range. King Ranch, Kingsville, Texas. 296 pp.
Scifres, C. J. and W. T. Hamilton. 2003. Range habitat management: the tools. Pages 109-l32. In C. A. Forgason, F. C. Bryant and P. C. Genho, eds. Ranch Management: Integrating Cattle, Wildlife, and Range. King Ranch, Kingsville, Texas. 296 pp.
Hamilton, W. T., A. McGinty, D. N. Ueckert, C. W. Hanselka, and M. R. Lee (eds). 2004. Brush Management: Past, Present and Future. Texas A&M University Press. In Press.

Progress 01/01/02 to 12/31/02

Outputs
Modified the Texas Digital Diagnostics (TDD) program via University of Georgia to add features. Provided training on use of TDD to County Extension Agents increasing the total counties now in the sytem from 41 to 106. TDD samples received to date total over 800. Increased the number of designated diagnosticians to meet the demand for sample diagnosis as the system expands. Continued to work on the development and implementation of the Texas Livestock Early Warning System (TxLEWS). Two MS graduate students are currently working on use of the system in central and south Texas. Completed the ecological site description project funded by NRCS and delivered final report in March 2002. Received grants to begin work on multi-disciplinary Leon River Restoration Project in Coryell and Hamilton Counties, Texas.

Impacts
The TDD system has great potential for contributing to anti-bioterorism and is being considered in grant proposals as part of a congressional initiative. The program provides an in-place, web-based password protected system that could be used to transmit digital images of potential plant and animal disease or other human-based problems from all counties in the state at the speed of the internet. As TDD expands and includes digital microscopic capabilities in key locations in the state, as well as GPS references, it could serve as a first line bioterrorism defense. The impact of TxLEWS in assisting grazinglands producers in projecting deviations in forage production in order to make better informed herd management decisions will have major positive influences on effciency of production and sustainable management of rangeland and pasture resources. Our research is also currently studying the application of the technology for use in a national forage-based insurance program that could impact all U.S. grazingland producers, providing them with the equivalent of crop insurance for their operations.

Publications

Stuth, J. W., W. T. Hamilton, and J. R. Conner. 2002. Insights in development and deployment of the GLA and NUTBAL decision support systems for grazinglands. Agrilcultural Systems 74 (2002) 99-113.
Hamilton, W. T. and C. W. Hanselka. 2001. Manejo integrado de los recursos de los pastizales: applicando el principio con IBMS. In Manejo intregral en la produccion de bovines de carne. Union Ganadera Regional de Nuevo Leon, Guadalupe, N. L. , Mexico. 60 pp.
Ibarra, H. G., W. T. Hamilton and N. E. T. Hernandez (Eds). 2002. Sustainable utilization of natural resources in north-east Mexico and south Texas. Union Ganadera Regional de Nuevo Leon, Guadalupe, N. L., Mexico. 80 pp.
White, L. D., and W. T. Hamilton 2001. Rangeland risk management for Texas: will you succeed as a rangeland manager? Texas Cooperative Extension L-5373. 4 pp.
Diaz-Solis, H., M. M. Kothmann, W. T. Hamilton and W. E. Grant. 2002. A simple ecological sustainability simulator (SESS) for stocking rate management on semi-arid grazinglands. Ag. Systems (in press). Note: this is the second year that the article is listed and in press. Ag Systems is running over a year from acceptance to publication on some papers.

Progress 01/01/01 to 12/31/01

Outputs
Completed simulatlion model, a simple ecological sustainability simulator (SESS) for stocking rate management on semi-arid grazinglands with Heriberto Diaz-Solis, M.M. Kothmann and W.E. Grant. Trained 70 County Extension personnel in the use of Texas Digital Diagnostics (TDD), a program using the web to transmit digital images to pre-designated diagnosticians who recommend solutions to problems for Texas Agriculture. Participated in the development of the Texas Livestock Early Warning System (TxLEWS) pilot project via a grant from NRCS. Directed the development of selected ecological site description for the Texas Coastal Prairies and marshes and Rio Grande Plains MLRA via a grant from NRCS. Obtain funding via a grant from USAID ALO to enhance seven research projects funded through the Center for Grazinglands and Ranch Mangement via faculty and student exchange with a corsortium of northeast Mexico universites.

Impacts
My research efforts are very diversified, but, on the whole, they contribute to the effective development and transfer of information using electronic technology. For example, the TDD system allows a very fast turn-around time for diagnosis of plant diseases, insect infestions, animal health and nutrition problems, plant identification and brush and weed management problems. The impact of this technology has the potential to save millions of dollars in preventing crop and other agricultural losses by early determination of problems and recommendations for treatments. The ecological site descriptions will be avialable on the web for use by the wide range of organizations and agencies interested in the management of grazingland resources in Texas.

Publications

Diaz-Solis, H., M.M. Kothmann, W.T. Hamilton and W.E. Grant. 2001. A simple ecological sustainability simulator (SESS) for stocking rate management on semi-arid grazinglands. Ag. Systems (in press).
Hamilton, W.T. 2001. The Center for Grazinglands and Ranch Management. p.78-84 In Annual Food Animal Conference, Conception to Partuition: Fertility in Texas Beef Cattle. College Vet Med., Texas A&M Univ. 125 pp.
Hamilton, W.T. 2000. An ecosystem perspective for brush management planning. p. 78-85 In Brush, Water and Wildlife: a compendium of our knowledge. Tex. Agr. Ext. Ser. 111 pp.
Schumann, K.D., J.R. Conner, J.W. Richardson, J.W. Stuth, W.T. Hamilton and D.L. Drawe. 2000 The use of biophysical and expected payoff probability simulation modeling in the economic assessment of brush management alternatives. J. Agri. and Applied Econ. 33 (Dec. 2001): In press.

Progress 01/01/00 to 12/31/00

Outputs
Work continued with Drs. J. W. Stuth and J. R. Conner to use the PHYGROW forage production model and the NIRS/NUTBAL nutritional analysis program as a basis for implementing the Texas Livestock Early Warning System (Tx LEWS) in the Frio, Middle Concho and Wichita watersheds. Sampling points were identified in the counties in each watershed using soil information and modal plant communities were developed to parameterize the model. Selected producers were contacted and fecal samples were obtained to correlate livestock nutritional status with modeled forage fluctuations. Work on the Texas Digital Diagnostics system (TDD) was completed with the University of Georgia. This included the development of five web-based forms for Animal Health and Nutrition, Plant Identification, Rangeland Brush and Weed Control, Insects and Their Damage and Plant Diseases and Disorders. These forms will be used in the system to transmit required information and digital images (microscopic or camera) to predetermined diagnosticians within the TAMUS. Training for all diagnosticians was scheduled for November. The system will be introduced into approximately 40 Texas counties as a pilot project in early 2001.

Impacts
The TxLEWS research will have great impact on the range livestock industry in Texas by providing producers with early warning of forage shortfalls and allowing them to take remedial actions. It will also provide state and federal agencies with advance warning of drought conditions and facilitate early actions in the right geographical regions. The TDD research will have a great impact on time and money savings by TAEX Specialists who will be able to use the web-based system and digital imagery to diagnose a wide range of plant, animal and landscape problems without travel costs. The system will also allow County offices to obtain more timely diagnoses and treatment recommendations for producers using digital imagery rather than mailing or shipping samples. This could result in great savings for farmers and ranchers when the timeliness of treatment could be critical to crops or animals.

Publications

Hamilton, W. T. 2000. Sistemas integrados de manejo de montes bajos: technologias para el control de prosopis y especies relacionadas. p. 33-44 In Proc. Congresso Nacional de Ganaderia Pampeana. Santa Rosa, La Pampa, Argentina. 113 pp.
Hamilton, W. T. 2000. Applicacion de la ecologia cuantitativa en el manejo pastizales naturales. p. 45-51 In Congresso Nacional de Ganaderia Pampeana. Santa Rosa, La Pampa, Argentina. 113 pp.
Hamilton, W. T. 2000. El manejo de sistemas de produccion animal en zonas aridas y semiaridas. p. 53-61 In Congresso Nacional de Ganaderia Pampeana. Santa Rosa, La Pampa, Argentina. 113 pp.
White, L. D. and W. T. Hamilton. 2000. What are your chances of succeeding as a range manager? Risk Management for Texas Series. RLEM No. 9. 4 pp.
Hanselka, C. W., W. T. Hamilton and A. Ortega. 1999. Tamaulipan Biotic Province development project: and eco-regional beef cattle and conservation of natural resources initiative. p. 33-38 In INIFAP-TAMUS Livestock Workshop, Merida, Yucatan, Mexico. 60 pp.

Progress 01/01/99 to 12/31/99

Outputs
Completed a simulation model to assist decision-making for management of woody vegetation in the Rio Grande Plains of southern Texas and northeastern Mexico with Dr. William Grant and Mr. Esteban Quintanilla. Updated the computer program EXSEL, an expert system for brush and weed control technology selection with funding from Dow AgroSciences. Participated with Drs. Stuth and Conner in the development of the Texas Livestock Early Warning System (TxLEWS), a drought advisory system that will use computer simulation and weather data to "grow and consume" forage, coupled with animal nutritional status, to predict forage shortfalls and produce drought alerts. Worked with TAEX personnel to Complete negotiations with the University of Georgia to develop Texas Digital Diagnostics, an electronic information system utilizing the web to allow identification and diagnoses of plant and animal diseases and landscape problems.

Impacts
If livestock producers can have 3-6 months early warning of drought, marketing of livestock can be orderly and reduce sales on depressed markets. Early warning of drought can help protect rangeland resources from overuse and degradation by providing the basis for earlier livestock removal, and can provide information needed by State and Federal drought assistance agencies to determine reality of drought conditions and move much earlier into such areas. All of these impacts have the potential to same millions of dollars in livestock losses, feed supplement costs and resource depletion.

Publications

Grant, W. E., W. T. Hamilton, and E. Quintanilla. 1999. Sustainability of agroecosystems in semi-arid grasslands: simulated management of woody vegetation in the Rio Grande Plains of southern Texas and northeastern Mexico. Ecological Modeling (1999)1-14.

Progress 01/01/98 to 12/31/98

Outputs
This is a new project. Primary emphasis was on development of a proposal for funding via a Telecommunications Grant (Agricultural Telecommunications Program) USDA CSREES. RFP was recalled at about the time for submission. Proposal was resubmitted under RFP through Agricultural Distance Education Consortium (ADEC). The project will focus on implementation of technology for providing timely and more accurate technical assistance, education and technology transfer to individual clientele for management of grazinglands using an Electronic Technology Transfer System (ETTS). ETTS will utilize the Internet and digital imagery to directly link landholders/managers and the natural resoure situations with County Extension Agents and appropriate Specialists, allowing them to make "ranch visits" without leaving their office. Once developed, this program can be implemented in all county offices and utilized by all natural resource disciplinary units. Progress has been made in obtaining digital cameras, scanners and developing a protocol for transmiting photogrphs and text material through the Center for Grazinglands and Ranch Management and testing of the system is underway.

Impacts
(N/A)

Publications

Conner, J.R., W.T. Hamilton, D.P. Sheehy, J.W. Stuth and U.P. Kreuter. 1998. Grassland-based livestock production systems in temperate zones. p. 6-12 In Grassland-based livestock production systems. World Animal Review. Vol. 90. 62 pp. (Publication is related to previous project).
Hamilton, W.T. 1998. Control technology selection for poisonous plants with the EXSEL expert system. Chap. 9, p. 35-39 In Toxic Plants and Other Natural Toxicants. (Eds) T. Garland and A.C. Barr. CAB Intl. Wallingford, U.K. 585 pp.
Hamilton, W.T. 1998. Tendencias en los sistemas de informacion para produccion ganadera. In Proc. Tendencias Globales en la Ganaderia Mundial. 1 er Encuentro Internacional de Expecialistas en Produccion y Gerenciamiento. Universidad Catolica Argentina, Buenos Aires.
McGinty, A., J.F. Cadenhead, W.T. Hamilton, C.W. Hanselka, D.N. Ueckert and S. Whisenant. 1998. Chemical weed and brush control suggestions for rangeland. Bull. 1466 (Rev. 3-98). Tex. Agr. Ext. Ser. College Station, Texas. 27 pp.