Progress 10/01/01 to 09/30/02
Outputs
InfoAg 2001. InfoAg 2001 (August 7-9, 2001) exposed 406 attendees to 38 sessions on using site-specific agriculture technologies and interpreting the associated data. Seven hands-on computer workshops were held: identifying management zones, on-farm research, cleaning yield monitor data, enterprise analysis, concepts of yield responses, estimating yield losses, and creating yield maps. Average attendance per workshop was 26. Actual attendance ranged from 13-39. Evaluations (30% responded) showed that 96% of the respondents rated the conference good or excellent. Attendees came from 18 states as well as Canada and Australia. For topics, speakers, and proceedings, visit http://www.farmresearch.com/infoag2001. On-farm Research module. Precision agriculture technologies have facilitated localized research efforts; however, most practitioners need detailed guidance on how to plan and analyze their experiments. We collaborated with Iowa State University to create a training
module on planning and analyzing qualitative on-farm experiments. This module provides examples of proper design and step-by-step instructions for analyzing data using Microsoft Excel. This material was presented in a hands-on computer workshop at the InfoAg 2001 conference. The workbook used for the workshops, including complete instructor notes on conducting the workshop, can be downloaded from the project website for use by anyone desiring to use this material for self-study or for conducting a similar workshop. Site-Specific Management Guidelines. Four site-specific management guidelines (SSMG 30-37) were prepared by collaborating authors from both university and industry. Finding Trends in Soil Test Data module. This module provides step-by-step instruction for using Microsoft Excel to create and compare distributions of soil test data from year to year. It also discusses how to graphs trends in average soil test levels and the associated measures of variability (coefficient of
variation). This module was presented at the 6th International Conference on Precision Agriculture, sponsored by the Precision Ag Center, Univ. of MN. Comparing Two Sets of Data module. This module, still in initial stages of development, discusses how to use the Student's t statistic and an F-test to compare two sets of data to determine the statistical significance of the differences in their means and variance, respectively. These techniques were presented at a hands-on computer workshop at the 51st Annual Minnesota Soils, Fertilizer & Ag Pesticides Short Course (December, 2001). Yield Data Analysis module. This module, still in initial stages of development, discusses how to use yield data to answer production questions. Analyses conducted on yield data from the USB project in Minnesota were presented at farmer meetings. Listening sessions. Visits to discuss currently used approaches to interpreting data were conducted at 3 locations in Minnesota, 1 location in Nebraska, and 1
location in Indiana. Two meetings were also held in Minnesota and Illinois that brought together small numbers of stakeholders (dealers, farmers, consultants, and soil test laboratories) to discuss information needs.
Impacts
Farmers and crop consultants have been asking the question, What do I do with all this precision farming data? The deliverables from this project are answering that question. Our workshops, training materials, and presentations are meeting general appreciation from our target market of farmers and their crop consultants. The three core topic areas of our efforts have been: using yield monitor data, using soil test data, and using on-farm research. Threaded through these topics are the use of GIS and other software tools in the assemblage and analysis of data. The deliverables show how to analyze the data and interpret the analysis into better management practices for increased production efficiency. This contributes to the farmer's bottom line and can lessen the environmental impact of farming operations. As an example, our yield profitability analysis helps to determine which areas of a field are profitable: in any given year, with any crop in the rotation, or over
many years and all crops. This analysis helps to determine if there are areas of the field which may be better moved out of production and into conservation programs.
Publications
- Reetz, H.F. 2002. Impact of high yield site-specific agriculture on nutrient efficiency and the environment. American Chemical Society (In press).
- Reetz, H.F. 2002. Using Conferences and Workshops for Technology Training. Precision Agriculture, 3, 319-325, 2002.
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Progress 10/01/00 to 09/30/01
Outputs
Goals: The goals for the first year were to: 1) conduct a needs assessment, 2) put together a conference addressing precision agriculture issues, 3) create a training module, 4) conduct 2 workshops, and 5) produce 4 articles to be published in the PPI Site Specific Management Guidelines series. All 5 goals were reached or exceeded and the project is on schedule. Needs Assessment: Shortly after funding was received, we wrote a review of the literature on information needs of precision agriculture. This review was posted to the FAR IFAFS website (http://www.farmresearch.com/ifafs/) and presented to approximately 200 attendees at the 50th Annual Minnesota Soils, Fertilizer & Ag Pesticides Short Course (December, 2000) and was published in the associated proceedings. Conference: InfoAg 2001 (August 7-9, 2001) exposed 406 attendees to 38 sessions on using site-specific agriculture technologies and interpreting the associated data. Seven hands-on computer workshops were
held: identifying management zones, on-farm research, cleaning yield monitor data, enterprise analysis, concepts of yield responses, estimating yield losses, and creating yield maps. Evaluations (30% responded) showed that 96% of the respondents rated the conference good or excellent. Attendees came from 18 states as well as Canada and Australia. For topics, speakers, and proceedings, visit http://www.farmresearch.com/infoag2001. Training module: Precision agriculture technologies have facilitated localized research efforts; however, most practitioners need detailed guidance on how to plan and analyze their experiments. We collaborated with Iowa State University to create a training module on planning and analyzing qualitative on-farm experiments. This module provides examples of proper design and step-by-step instructions for analyzing data using Microsoft Excel. This material was presented in a hands-on computer workshop at the InfoAg 2001 conference. The workbook used for the
workshop, including complete instructor notes on conducting the workshop, can be downloaded from the project website (http://www.farmresearch.com) for use by anyone desiring to use this material for self-study or for conducting a similar workshop. Workshops: Seven hands-on computer workshops were provided at the InfoAg 2001 conference (listed above). Average attendance per workshop was 26. Actual attendance ranged from 13-39. Site-Specific Management Guidelines. Four site-specific management guidelines (SSMG-30, 31, 32, and 33) were prepared by collaborating authors from both university and industry. Individual titles and authors are listed in the Publications section. Printed copies of SSMGs are available from PPI, and electronic (PDF format) copies may be obtained from the project website (http://www.farmresearch.com). Farm Progress Show: At the 2001 Farm Progress Show (Sept. 2001) at Lafayette, Indiana, several thousand attendees viewed the exhibit and participated in hands-on
experiences using internet resources, watching videotapes, and viewing demonstrations and displays of remote sensing technology. NASA-Spectral Visions, Purdue University, and others cooperated on the exhibit.
Impacts
Development of materials and training programs is on or ahead of schedule after the first year of this project. The initial release of publications has been well-received and the initial training sessions generated enthusiastic demand for repeat sessions at other venues, as well as requests for the materials to be used by others in their own educational sessions. FAR is using its affiliation with the Potash & Phosphate Institute to help deliver the products of the project. Initially, PPI has sent materials to industry centers of influence - those responsible for company-wide training programs. It has also begun working with university Extension educators to provide materials appropriate for county Extension personnel. While difficult to quantify, PPI perceives that these efforts are improving people's knowledge about precision agriculture. PPI works on the principle that materials must be distributed to nodes in the information network that are themselves responsible
for large-scale educational efforts. This approach multiplies efforts exponentially beyond the capabilities of a single entity. The initial response to the materials produced under the IFAFS grant have been positive. Requests for additional training have come from both industry and universities, which PPI is actively pursuing.
Publications
- Anderson, P.L. and R.L. Hellmich. 2001. Bt corn and insect resistance management: What are they? Site-Specific Management Guidelines SSMG-33. (Available on-line with updates at http://www.ppi-far.org/ssmg.)
- Doerge, T., N.R. Kitchen, and E.D. Lund. 2000. Soil electrical conductivity mapping. Site-Specific Management Guidelines SSMG-30. (Available on-line with updates at http://www.ppi-far.org/ssmg.)
- Lems, J., D.E. Clay, D. Humburg, T.A. Doerge, S. Christopherson, and C.L. Reese. 2000. Yield monitors - Basic steps to ensure system accuracy and performance. Site-Specific Management Guidelines SSMG-31. (Available on-line with updates at http://www.ppi-far.org/ssmg.)
- Murrell, T.S. 2000. Precision agriculture: What have we learned so far and what needs exist? In Proc. MN Soils, Fert. & Ag Pesticides Short Course, 50th, Minneapolis, MN. 12-14 Dec. 2000. MN Crop Prod. Retailers and Univ. MN.
- Murrell, T.S. and K.J. Moore. 2001. Planning and analyzing qualitative on-farm research with Microsoft Excel 2000. Proc. InfoAg 2001, Indianapolis, IN. 7-9 Aug. 2001. Potash & Phosphate Institute, Norcross, GA. (Available on-line with updates at http://www.farmresearch.com/infoag2001).
- Reese, C.L., S. Christopherson, C. Fossey, J. Gray, A. Hagar, R. Morman, G. Schmitt, B. Showalter, C.G. Carlson, and D.E. Clay. 2001. Trouble-shooting yield monitor systems. Site-Specific Management Guidelines SSMG-32. (Available on-line with updates at http://www.ppi-far.org/ssmg.)
- Electronic media created for the IFAFS project: InfoAg 2001 website (www.farmresearch.com/infoag2001/); InfoAg 2001 proceedings distributed both on the InfoAg 2001 website and on CD ROM; IFAFS website (www.farmresearch.com/ifafs/).
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