REAL-TIME SENSING & MANAGEMENT SYSTEMS FOR PRODUCTION OF AGRICULTURAL PRODUCTS & OTHER DEVICES FOR THE BENEFIT OF THE PEOPLE OF OKLAHO

• Sponsoring Institution: National Institute of Food and Agriculture
• Project Status: COMPLETE
• Funding Source: HATCH
• Reporting Frequency: Annual
• Accession No.: 0210541
• Project Start Date: Oct 1, 2007
• Project End Date: Sep 30, 2010
• Program Code: [(N/A)]- (N/A)

Recipient Organization
OKLAHOMA STATE UNIVERSITY
(N/A)
STILLWATER,OK 74078

Performing Department
Biosystems & Ag Engineering

Non Technical Summary
If the potential for sensor based precision agriculture is to be realized, sensors must be improved or developed, agronomic research must be conducted to integrate weather information into the decision making process and technologies must be applied to animal agriculture. Sensors will be developed, agronomic research conducted to integrate weather and crop growth data into decision making software to improve sensor based management of crops. Methodologies and sensors will be applied to precision management of grazing animals.

Animal Health Component

45%

Research Effort Categories

Basic

15%

Applied

45%

Developmental

40%

Classification

Knowledge Area (KA)	Subject of Investigation (SOI)	Field of Science (FOS)	Percent
205	1599	2020	25%
307	3310	2020	25%
402	1699	2020	25%
404	3310	2020	25%

Knowledge Area
205 - Plant Management Systems; 404 - Instrumentation and Control Systems; 307 - Animal Management Systems; 402 - Engineering Systems and Equipment;

Subject Of Investigation
3310 - Beef cattle, live animal; 1699 - Pasture and forage crops, general/other; 1599 - Grain crops, general/other;

Field Of Science
2020 - Engineering;

Keywords

precision

agriculture

ranching

sensors

optical

fertilizer

nitrogen

variable

rate

soil

moisture

cattle

position

grazing;

Goals / Objectives
Design and construct advanced optical sensors and integrated sensors for the management of inputs into cropping systems. Work with manufacturers to commercialize sensors and systems. Develop and verify in-season optical sensor based algorithms to manage inputs into crop of interest to Oklahoma. Apply these technologies to animal agriculture, specifically cattle on pasture.

Project Methods
This team has pioneered real-time sensor/application technologies and has extensively published results and methodologies. We will continue and expand this team to develop second generation multi-band optical sensors. We will combine these sensors with other types of sensors to better measure plant properties which can be used to better manage crops. Climate during the growing season is a major factor affecting crop growth, yield, & nitrogen (N) demand. Climatological data will be obtained from the Oklahoma Mesonet. Information on rainfall, growing degree days, and other important variables can be obtained for any time period of interest. These variables will be quantified for each plot-year for which yield data are available. We are currently working with the USDA-ARS and Mesonet to sense subsoil moisture and to use this information to better estimate potential yield possibly estimate the response index in fields without an N Rich fertilizer strip. Experiments will be established to collect agronomic and meteorological data needed to improve in-season estimates of wheat and other crops yield potential. Data collected include solar radiation, air temperature, rainfall, soil temperature, soil nutrients, and physiological maturity will also be measured. Various levels of N fertility will be imposed on the experiments. Sensor measurements will be periodically collected. Data will be incorporated into models to reduce the variability in estimating potential wheat yield. Models for yield potential will be modified as additional data are collected. We will apply these technologies to animal agriculture, specifically cattle on pasture. A major problem we encountered when predicting N requirements of wheat grown for hay and grain was the inability to quantify the effect of preferential grazing on wheat grown for forage and grain. In addition, we have not been able monitor activity and health of the potentially more valuable animal. Possible applications inclue knowing how the animal is behaving, the type and amount of forage being ingested, the amount and frequency the animal drinks water as well as more sophisticated measurements such as body temperature and hormonal levels. The system will include field hardware made up of miniature wireless sensors attached to individual animals. These sensors will communicate via each other and other communication devices to a base station. Management software will reside on the base station. It will be designed for data collection and instantaneous representation of the data collected. Interfacing to other systems, such as a precision farming system, will be achieved through the management software. Communication infrastructure may entail custom or existing wireless communication devices like cellular or mobile radio towers, as well as earth orbiting satellites. Assessment and application of the information collected will be made with cooperating scientists from departments within the Division of Ag Sciences and Natrual Resources. These scientists will provide the animals used in the tests and will provide input into the tests. Initial data collected will be animal location overtime, and 3-axis head movement.

Progress 10/01/07 to 09/30/10

Outputs
OUTPUTS: 1. Sensor systems to manage nitrogen and other nutrients for plants. We have completed development and field testing of and optical sensor, designed to be carried in a pocket, capable of measuring NDVI, and can be manufactured and sold for considerably less than $500.00. We have manufactured and distributed approximately 65 units for testing and evaluation. These units have been distributed internationally and are being used on a range of cereal crops. We are working with a company which is a major manufacturer of precision agriculture related products, who will modify and manufacture the new sensor. The sensor will use active lighting with a lighting strategy similar to the GreenSeekerTM sensor. This sensor was developed with funding by the US Environmental Protection Agency and the Oklahoma Conservation Commission. We have completed development of a generalized algorithm for determination of nitrogen rates. This is a significant improvement over the existing algorithm as it requires only NDVI measurements from an N Rich reference strip and an estimate of the expected yield of the crop. We are testing this algorithm on wheat and corn. We plan to place this algorithm in the public domain for use with any optical sensor. 2. New Products for Manufacture in Oklahoma. We are concluding a project to develop a system to apply plural materials to HVAC ducts and pipes. We have designed and tested a device capable of mixing and applying these products "on the fly" We are patenting the device. We will make our first commercial applications this winter. PARTICIPANTS: Nothing significant to report during this reporting period. TARGET AUDIENCES: Nothing significant to report during this reporting period. PROJECT MODIFICATIONS: Nothing significant to report during this reporting period.

Impacts
Variable rate N Sensing and Application: We commenced our research on variable rate application of nitrogen fertilizer using optical sensors in 1982. NTech Industries, a Trible Company is manufacturing a variable rate sensing and application system, which is sold throughout the world. The technology has gained acceptance by researchers, consultants and farmers. Estimated saving in N fertilizer and/or increased grain yields range from $10.00 to $20.00 with normal agricultural practices. We have identified international markets for our pocket sensor. Coupled with the new nitrogen application rate algorithm we will be able to provide a system for N rate determination for all cereal crops and probably all other crops requiring nitrogen fertilizer. The pocket sensor provides an economical alternative to the fully automated sensor applicator for small farmers. This project is changing the way farmers are managing fertilizer in all parts of the world. . HVAC Duct Sealing - A New Products Development Center Project: The sponsor of project has identified other markets for the duct coating technology. These additional markets should increase the probability of successfully commercializing the system. The system has now been developed to the point that prototype testing will begin 2011.

Publications

• Chambers, E. Evans, IV. 2009. Air duct repair system. Unpublished Masters of Science Thesis. Oklahoma State University. Stillwater, OK
• Biermacher, J.T., F.M. Epplin, B.W. Brorsen, J.B. Solie, and W.R. Raun. 2009. Economic feasibility of site-specific optical sensing for managing nitrogen fertilizer for growing wheat. Precision Agric. Spring Science+Business Media. 10:213-230.
• Roberts, D.C., W. Brorsen, J.B. Solie, W.R. Raun. 2010. The Effect of Parameter Uncertainty on Whole-Field Nitrogen Recommendations from Nitrogen-Rich Strips and Ramped Strips in Winter Wheat. J. Agric. Systems.

Progress 10/01/08 to 09/30/09

Outputs
OUTPUTS: During the period since the submission of the final report on Project No. 2453 my research has focused on the following projects covered under Project No. OKL02632: (1) Sensor systems to manage nitrogen and other nutrients for plants. We are testing prototype sensors, designed to be carried in a pocket, capable of measuring NDVI, and can be manufactured and sold for under $100.00. We are negotiating production of the sensor with a manufacturer. The sensor will use active lighting with a lighting strategy similar to the GreenSeekerTM sensor. This sensor is being developed with funding by the US Environmental Protection Agency. We have completed development of a generalized algorithm for determination of nitrogen rates. This is a significant improvement over the existing algorithm as it requires only NDVI measurements from a N Rich reference strip and an estimate of the expected yield of the crop. (2) New Products for Manufacture in Oklahoma. We are continuing a project to develop a system to apply plural materials to ducts and pipes. We have designed and tested a device capable of mixing and applying these products "on the fly" We are patenting the device. We will make our first commercial applications this spring. PARTICIPANTS: Nothing significant to report during this reporting period. TARGET AUDIENCES: Nothing significant to report during this reporting period. PROJECT MODIFICATIONS: Nothing significant to report during this reporting period.

Impacts
We have identified international markets for our pocket sensor. Coupled with the new nitrogen application rate algorithm we will be able to provide a system for N rate determination for all cereal crops and probably all other crops requiring nitrogen fertilizer. This project is changing the way farmers are managing fertilizer in all parts of the world. The sponsor of project has identified other markets for the duct coating technology. These additional markets should increase the probability of successfully commercializing the system.

Publications

• Biermacher, J.T., F.M. Epplin, B.W. Brorsen, J.B. Solie, and W.R. Raun. 2009. Economic feasibility of site-specific optical sensing for managing nitrogen fertilizer for growing wheat. Precision Agric. Spring Science+Business Media. 10:213-230.

Progress 10/01/07 to 09/30/08

Outputs
OUTPUTS: During the period since the submission of the final report on Project No. 2453 my research has focused on the following projects covered under Project No. OKL02632: 1. Sensor systems to manage nitrogen and other nutrients for plants. We are in the processes of completing prototype sensors designed to be carried in a pocket, capable of measuring "Red" NDVI, and can be manufactured and sold for under $100.00. Hence the name "Optical Pocket Sensor". The sensor will use active lighting with a lighting strategy similar to the GreenSeekerTM sensor. This sensor is being developed with funding by the US Environmental Protection Agency. 2. Cattle monitoring sensor system. We have successfully developed and tested an RF based sensor capable of monitoring the location of cattle while they are grazing and number and frequency of bites while grazing. The sensor uses a three axis accelerometer to measure bites by cattle, and the device is designed to accept inputs from other sensors. Data from the sensor can be transmitted by radio to receivers located as far as 100 m from the animal. 3. New Products for Manufacture in Oklahoma. We are completing a project to develop a system to apply plural materials to ducts and pipes. We have designed and tested a device capable of mixing and applying these products "on the fly" We are patenting the device. PARTICIPANTS: Nothing significant to report during this reporting period. TARGET AUDIENCES: Nothing significant to report during this reporting period. PROJECT MODIFICATIONS: Nothing significant to report during this reporting period.

Impacts
We will build and distribute up to 50 optical pocket sensors for testing and evaluation, during 2009. We are negotiating with our commercial partner to have the manufacture and sell the new sensor. Manufacturing could start as early as fall 2009. We are receiving expression of interest in purchasing the new sensor from a number of countries as well as the United State. The sponsor of project to develop a plural component applicator intends to start field testing the system in 2009. Limited manufacturing will begin in 2009 with further refinements continuing into 2010.

Publications

• H.L. Field and J.B. Solie. 2007. An Introduction to Agricultural Engineering Technology. Springer-Verlag. Heidleberg, Germany
• W.R. Raun, J.B. Solie, R.K. Taylor, D.B. Arnall, C.J. Mack, and D.E. Edmonds. 2008. Ramp calibration strip technology for determining midseason nitrogen rates in corn and wheat. Agron. J. 100(4):1088-1093.
• Martin, K.L., K.W. Freeman, R.K. Teal, K. Desta, D.B. Arnall, B. Chung, B. Tubana, S. Moges, O. Walsh, J.B. Solie, M.L. Stone, and W.R. Raun. 2007. Expression of variability in corn (Zea mays L.) as influenced by growth stage using optical sensor measurements. Agron. J. 99:384-389.
• Girma, Kefyalew, Clinton Mack, Randy Taylor, John Solie, and William Raun. 2007. Improving estimation of N topdressing by addressing temporal variability in winter wheat. J. Agric. Sci. Cambridge 145:45-53.
• Arnall, D.B., W.R. Raun, J.B. Solie, M.L. Stone, G.V. Johnson, K. Desta, K.W. Freeman, R.K. Teal, and K.L. Martin. 2006. Relationship between coefficient of variation measured by spectral reflectance and plant density at early growth stages in winter wheat. J. Plant. Nutr. 29:1983-1997.
• Martin, K.L., K.W. Freeman, R.K. Teal, K. Desta, D.B. Arnall, B. Chung, B. Tubana, S. Moges, O. Walsh, J.B. Solie, M.L. Stone, and W.R. Raun. 2007. Expression of variability in corn (Zea mays L.) as influenced by growth stage using optical sensor measurements. Agron. J. 99:384-389.
• Martin, K. L., K. Girma, K. W. Freeman, R. K. Teal, B. Tubana, D. B. Arnall, B. Chung, O. Walsh, J. B. Solie, M. L. Stone, and W. R. Raun. 2007. Expression of variability in corn as influenced by growth stage using optical sensor measurements. Agron J. 99: 384-389.
• Girma, K., C. Mack, R. Taylor, J. Solie, D. B. Arnall and W. Raun. 2007. Improving estimation of N top-dressing by addressing temporal variability in winter wheat. The Journal of Agricultural Science 145 (1):45-53.
• Xiong, X., G.E. Bell, J.B. Solie, M.W. Smith, and B. Martin. 2007. Bermudagrass seasonal responses to N fertilization and irrigation detected using optical sensing. Crop Sci. 47:1603-1610