Progress 09/01/12 to 08/31/16
Outputs
Target Audience:The primary beneficiaries of this project are students pursuing post-secondary agricultural degrees at FHSU and HCC. This project attempts to capitalize on each institution's comparative advantage - the data management and analysis skills of FHSU and the technical skills of HCC - for the benefit of students at each institution. Students are being reached in the classroom, labs, and on each institutions' farm operations. The secondary beneficiaries are farmers in central and western Kansas. Changes/Problems:
Nothing Reported
What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?Dr. Craig Smith has attended and presented at many agricultural workshops and conferences throughout Kansas and the Great Plains region.Theseevents included presentations and demonstrations from academic, research, and industry leaders in the precision ag field. Much of the audiences at these meetingsare made up of producers. As described in the next section, these opportunities weremade possible, in part, from this grant. This grant has afforded Dr. Smith the time to analyze and publish research related to the precision agricultural technologies purchased via this grant. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?Related to the precision ag field and this grant in particular, P.I. Dr. Craig Smith, has delivered presentations at the following events listed below. These presentations are based on research work performed during the summer and other "offtimes" made possible by this grant. The data and results from journal articles and these presentations are incorporated into the classroom and also are presented to the HCC students during their visit to FHSU. This research directly relates to technologies purchased from this grant. Here are some of the events where results have been disseminated over the past 3years: Smith, C.M. "Introduction to and Demonstration of Unmanned Aerial Systems." Seminar presented at: Leadership Kansas, Hays, KS, July 28, 2016 Hispanic College Institute, Hays, KS, June 24, 2016 Smith, C.M. "Agricultural Technologies - Are they worth the cost?" High Plains No-Till Conference, Burlington, CO, February 2-3, 2016. Smith, C.M. "Cultivating Ideas Through Drone Technology" 35th Annual FHSU Technology Conference, Hays, KS, October 13, 2015. Smith, C.M. "Agricultural Technologies - Are they worth the cost?" FHSU Faculty Research Association, Hays, KS, May 6, 2015. Smith, C.M. "Determining the economically optimal level of control on sprayers and planters." Presented at: Kansas Society of Farm Managers and Rural Appraisers Winter Meeting, Salina, KS, February 26, 2015. Kansas Ag Research and Technology Association Annual Conference, Salina, KS, January 23, 2015. Kansas Ag Retailers Association CEU Bonus Session, Salina, KS, December 3, 2014. Smith, C.M. "Factors Affecting the Economics of Nozzle Control for Sprayers and Row Control for Planter." Seminar presented at: Manhattan, KS, October 28, 2014 Garden City, KS, October 27, 2014 Smith, C.M. "NLGCA Grant Update from Fort Hays State University." 2014 Non-Land Grant Agricultural and Renewable Resources Universities Annual Meetings, Martin, TN, October 6-8, 2014. Smith, C.M and K.C. Dhuyvetter. "Precision Ag: Costs, Benefits, and Other." Minimum Till / No Till Update, Ashland, KS, May 14, 2014. Smith, C.M and K.C. Dhuyvetter. "Economics of Precision Ag: Factors Affecting Cost-Effectiveness." 2014 Precision Ag Summit, Jamestown, ND, January 20-21, 2014. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?
Nothing Reported
Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals?
FHSU and HCC faculty met multiple times to discuss a 2+2 instructional program for students wanting to attend HCC for the first two years and FHSU for the last two years. A 2+2 transfer and articulation agreement was approved by both institutions this past summer (2015). Also, because of our efforts with HCC, we have at the same time developed a similar 2+2 agreement for Seward County Community College which has been approved and are working on another one for Nebraska College of Technical Agriculture. These are additional benefits of the grant. From Fall 2013- Fall 2016, students from FHSU traveled to HCC for hands-on precision ag workshops and students from HCC traveled to FHSU for hands-on precision ag data analysis workshops. The topics covered in the classroom and in the field at HCC included: measuring crop yield harvest loss during soybean harvest,adjusting a modern combine to reduce harvest loss, understanding the operation and function of yield monitors and displaymonitors, and calibrating yield monitors.The FHSU students enjoyed each of thesetrips and felt that they were very worthwhile. The topics covered at FHSU for the HCC students were held in thethe computer lab classroom and included: analyzing data using FarmWorks software, looking at the economics of investing in several different precision ag technologies including the development of a spreadsheet decision tool, learning about unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) technology, and how to use remote sensing to make management decisions. Overall, the HCC students always felt that this was a worthwhile experience with the most common recommendation being "I wish we had more time." Unfortunately, a lot of information had to be presented in relatively short amount of time." Related to the four explicitly stated goals of this project, we offer the following summary. 1) During this reporting period, students employed by each institutions' farm continue to have the most direct exposure to the new equipment. During this past reporting period this technology has been brought into the classroom so all students have been impacted. 2) Through equipment purchases and additional discussions, industry partnerships have been strengthened. Representatives from dealerships and other precision ag-related businesses have been brought into the classrooms at both institutions and addtional equipment has been lent (i.e., large John Deere combine and a 16-row planter from Carrico John Deere dealership in Hays, KS) indicating strong support for our programs and this intiative. 3) Faculty have benefited from having easily accesible exposure to these new technologies. This has and will improvethe relevancy of our instruction in the classroom and labs. 4) Faculty from FHSU and HCC have met multiple times and correspond regularly via email or phone. This did not happen nearly to this extent prior to this project. Additionally, faculty of these two institutions collaborated over the summer of 2015 to develop a grant proposal aimed at incorportating UAV technology and data into the classroom. The PI's are confident that this current grant has helped develop these excellent working relationships. Here are a few additional direct and indirect benefits of this grant: A large multi-institution NLGCA grant focused on UAV technology was funded with FHSU and HCC being the main partners. This initiative has it's roots in the first NLGCA grant and the central and western parts of Kansas are the primary beneficiaries of this collaboration. Using equipment purchased with this grant, the FHSU implemented variable rate fertilizer application on the University Farm. This past wheat harvest showed a 25% yield increase where micro nutrients were applied and a significant higher profit on the fields where variable rate application was performed (the actual numbers are still being calculated). A joint FHSU and Midland Marketing / Winfield Solutions field day was held and some of these results were communicated to the farmers in attendance. Student farm workers at both FHSU and HCC have gotten to spend signicant amounts of time operating late-model equipment equipped with the latest precision ag technologies. Multiple students that have benefited from activities in this grant have gotten jobs in the precision agricultural industry.
Publications
- Type:
Journal Articles
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2016
Citation:
Smith, C.M. and K.C. Dhuyvetter. Determining the Economically Optimal Level of Control on Sprayers and Planters. Journal of American Society of Farm Managers and Rural Appraisers. 2016: 1-21.
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Progress 09/01/14 to 08/31/15
Outputs
Target Audience:The primary beneficiaries of this project are students pursuing post-secondary agricultural degrees at FHSU and HCC. Thisproject attempts to capitalize on each institution's comparative advantage - the data management and analysis skills ofFHSU and the technical skills of HCC - for the benefit of students at each institution. Students are being reached in theclassroom, labs, and on each institutions' farmoperations. The secondary beneficiaries arefarmers in central and western Kansas. Changes/Problems:We have requested and have gained approval for a one year grant extension which will move the project end date to 8/31/16. FHSU works closely with a local equipment dealership and farmer cooperative. We have held field days in conjunction with the cooperative and have extended this invitation to the local equipment dealership (that of holding a separate field day solely focusing on precision agricultural equipment). They have been appreciative of this offer, but have not taken us up on this up to this point. So, I am not sure we will have a field day solely focusing on precision ag. However, we will continue hosting field days with the local cooperative and likely will host a WinField Solutions AnswerPlot (http://www.answerplot.com/)location and field day next year (2016). This is another relationship that has been made possible because of this grant which has allowed us to purchase equipment capable of incoporating the latest technologies in our management including variable rate application of fertilizers and seed. What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?On January 23, 2015, Dr. Craig Smith attended the 2015 Kansas Ag Research and Technology Association Annual Conference. This event includedpresentations and demonstrations from academic, research, and industry leaders in the precision ag field. Much of the audience is made up of producers. As described in thenext section, this opportunity was made possible, in part, from this grant. This grant has afforded Dr. Smith the time to analyzeand publish research related to the precision agricultural technologies purchased via this grant. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?Related to the precision ag field and this grant in particular, P.I. Dr. Craig Smith, has delivered presentations at the followingevents listed below. These presentations are based on research work performedduring the summer and other "off-times" made possible by this grant. The data and results from this article and thesepresentations are incorporated into the classroom and also are presented to the HCC students during their visit to FHSU. Thisresearch directly relates to technologies purchased from this grant. Smith, C.M. "Agricultural Technologies - Are they worth the cost?" FHSU Faculty Research Association, Hays, KS, May 6, 2015. Smith, C.M. "Determining the economically optimal level of control on sprayers and planters." Presented at: Kansas Society of Farm Managers and Rural Appraisers Winter Meeting, Salina, KS, February 26, 2015. Kansas Ag Research and Technology Association Annual Conference, Salina, KS, January 23, 2015. Kansas Ag Retailers Association CEU Bonus Session, Salina, KS, December 3, 2014. Smith, C.M. "Factors Affecting the Economics of Nozzle Control for Sprayers and Row Control for Planter." Seminar presented at: Manhattan, KS, October 28, 2014 Garden City, KS, October 27, 2014 Smith, C.M. "NLGCA Grant Update from Fort Hays State University." 2014 Non-Land Grant Agricultural and Renewable Resources Universities Annual Meetings, Martin, TN, October 6-8, 2014. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?During the Fall 2015 and Spring 2016 semesters, students from each institution will travel to the other institution to helpadvance the knowledge and skillsets of the these individuals. In order to prepare for these learning sessions, faculty willcollaborate across the two institutions to ensure a high quality learning experience for the students. Evaluation of knowledgegained and skilled developed will be done which may include pre- and post-testing of the students. Industry partners willcontinue to be called upon and collaborated with to give students the most up-to-date and relevant exposure to thesetechnologies. Faculty from each institution will continue to become more knowlegeable and comfortable with relevanttechnologies. This may include taking part in various professional development events.A series of workshops will be held at HCC open to students and the public.A final report will be completed including evaluation of the entire project.
Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals?
FHSU and HCC faculty met multiple times to discuss a 2+2 instructional program for students wanting to attend HCC for the first two years and FHSU for the last two years. A 2+2 transfer and articulation agreement was approved by both institutions this past summer (2015).Also, because of our efforts with HCC, we have at the same timedeveloped a similar 2+2 agreement for Seward County Community College which has been approved and are working onanother one for Nebraska College of Technical Agriculture. These are additional benefits of the grant. During the Fall 2014 semester, a group of 15 FHSU students along with 3 faculty/staff traveled to HCC for a day-longeducational session. The topics covered in the classroom and in the field included: measuring crop yield harvest loss during soybean harvest,adjusting a modern combine to reduce harvest loss, understanding the operation and function of yield monitors and displaymonitors, and calibrating yield monitors.The FHSU students enjoyed this trip and felt it was very worthwhile. During the Spring 2015 semester, a group of 15 HCC students along with 2 faculty/staff traveled to FHSU for a day longeducational session. The topics covered in the computer lab classroom included: analyzing data using FarmWorks software,looking at the economics of investing in several different precision ag technologies including the development of a spreadsheet decision tool, learning about unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) technology, and how to use remote sensing to make management decisions. Overall, the HCC students felt thatthis was a worthwhile experience with the most common recommendation being "I wish we had more time." Unfortunately, a lot of information had to be presented in relatively short amount of time." Related to the four explicitly stated goals of this project, we offer the following summary. 1) During this reporting period, students employed by each institutions' farm continue to have the most direct exposure to thenew equipment. During this past reporting period this technology has been brought into the classroom so all students havebeen impacted. 2) Through equipment purchases and additional discussions, industry partnerships have been strengthened. Representativesfrom dealerships and other precision ag-related businesses have been brought into the classrooms at both institutions andaddtional equipment has been lent (i.e., large John Deere combine and a 16-row planter from Carrico John Deere dealershipin Hays, KS) indicating strong support for our programs and this intiative. 3) Faculty have benefited from having easily accesible exposure to these new technologies. This has and will improve therelevancy of our instruction in the classroom and labs. 4) Faculty from FHSU and HCC have met multiple times and correspond regularly via email or phone. This did not happennearly to this extent prior to this project. Additionally, faculty of these two institutions collaborated over the summer to develop grant proposal aimed at incorportating UAV technology and data into the classroom. The PI's are confident that this current grant has helped develop these excellent working relationships.
Publications
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Progress 09/01/13 to 08/31/14
Outputs
Target Audience: The primary beneficiaries of this project are students pursuing post-secondary agricultural degrees at FHSU and HCC. This project attempts to capitalize on each institution’s comparative advantage – the data management and analysis skills of FHSU and the technical skills of HCC – for the benefit of students at each institution. Students are being reached in the classroom, labs, and on each institutions' farm operations. Changes/Problems:
Nothing Reported
What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided? On January 20-21, 2014, Dr. Craig Smith attended the 2014 Precision Ag Summit in Jamestown, ND. This event included presentations and demonstrations from academic, research, and industry leaders in the precision ag field. As described in the next section, this opportunity was made possible, in part, from this grant. This grant has afforded Dr. Smith the time to analyze and publish research related to the precision agricultural technologies purchased via this grant. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest? Related to the precision ag field and this grant in particular, P.I. Dr. Craig Smith, has delivered presentations at the following events listed below. These presentations along with the previously listed journal article are based on research work performed during the summer and other "off-times" made possible by this grant. The data and results from this article and these presentations are incorporated into the classroom and also are presented to the HCC students during their visit to FHSU. This research directly relates to technologies purchased from this grant. Smith, C.M. “NLGCA Grant Update from Fort Hays State University.” 2014 Non-Land Grant Agricultural and Renewable Resources Universities Annual Meetings, Martin, TN, October 6-8, 2014. Smith, C.M and K.C. Dhuyvetter. “Economics of Precision Ag: Factors Affecting Cost-Effectiveness.” 2014 Precision Ag Summit, Jamestown, ND, January 20-21, 2014. Smith, C.M and K.C. Dhuyvetter. “Precision Ag: Costs, Benefits, and Other.” Minimum Till / No Till Update, Ashland, KS, May 14, 2014. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals? During the Fall 2014 and Spring 2015 semesters, students from each institution will travel to the other institution to help advance the knowledge and skillsets of the these individuals. In order to prepare for these learning sessions, faculty will collaborate across the two institutions to ensure a high quality learning experience for the students. Evaluation of knowledge gained and skilled developed will be done which may include pre- and post-testing of the students. Industry partners will continue to be called upon and collaborated with to give students the most up-to-date and relevant exposure to these technologies. Faculty from each institution will continue to become more knowlegeable and comfortable with relevant technologies. This may include taking part in various professional development events. The 2+2 transfer agreement will be finalized and promoted. A field day at FHSU will be planned and executed. During the Fall 2015 semester, students from each institution will travel to the other institution to help advance the knowledge and skillsets of the these individuals. A final report will be completed including evaluation of the entire project.
Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals?
FHSU and HCC faculty have met multiple times to discuss a 2+2 instructional program for students wanting to attend HCC for the first two years and FHSU for the last two years. Course equivalencies have been determined and we have a draft that has been submitted to administration at each institution. Currently, minor modifications are being made and we anticipate having a working agreement during the next reporting period. Also, because of our efforts with HCC, we have at the same time developed a similar 2+2 agreement for Seward County Community College which has been approved and are working on another one for Nebraska College of Technical Agriculture. These are additional benefits of th During the Fall 2013 semester, a group of 15 FHSU students along with 3 faculty/staff traveled to HCC for a day-long educational session. The topics covered in the classroom and in the field included: measuring crop yield harvest loss, adjusting a modern combine to reduce harvest loss, understanding the operation and function of yield monitors and display monitors, and calibrating yield monitors.The FHSU students enjoyed this trip and felt it was very worthwhile. During the Spring 2014 semester, a group of 28 HCC students along with 2 faculty/staff traveled to FHSU for a day long educational session. The topics covered in the computer lab classroom included: analyzing data using FarmWorks software and looking at the economics of investing in several different precision ag technologies. Overall, the HCC students felt that this was a worthwhile experience with the most common recommendation being "I wish we had more time." Unfortunately, a lot of information had to be presented in relatively short amount of time. Possibly the greatest accomplishment this past year was the transfer of 3 HCC students (after completing their Associate's Degree) to FHSU. Each of these students has an interest in precision agriculture. This is more students from HCC than FHSU usually gets in one year and the first who have come to FHSU specifically for the precision agricultural field. Related to the four explicitly stated goals of this project, we offer the following summary. 1) During this reporting period, students employed by each institutions' farm continue to have the most direct exposure to the new equipment. During this past reporting period this technology has been brought into the classroom so all students have been impacted. 2) Through equipment purchases and additional discussions, industry partnerships have been strengthened. Representatives from dealerships and other precision ag-related businesses have been brought into the classrooms at both institutions and addtional equipment has been lent (i.e., large John Deere combine and a 16-row planter from Carrico John Deere dealership in Hays, KS) indicating strong support for our programs and this intiative. 3) Faculty have benefited from having easily accesible exposure to these new technologies. This has and will improve the relevancy of our instruction in the classroom and labs. 4) Faculty from FHSU and HCC have met multiple times and correspond regularly via email or phone. This did not happen nearly to this extent prior to this project.
Publications
- Type:
Journal Articles
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2013
Citation:
Smith, C.M., K.C. Dhuyvetter, T.L. Kastens, D.L. Kastens, and L.M. Smith. Economics of Precision Agricultural Technologies Across the Great Plains. Journal of American Society of Farm Managers and Rural Appraisers. 2013. 76(1): 185-206.
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Progress 09/01/12 to 08/31/13
Outputs
Target Audience: The target audience reached by efforts related to this grant over the reporting period primarily include students pursuing post-secondary agricultural degrees at Fort Hays State University (FHSU) and Hutchinson Community College (HCC). These students were exposed to various elements of precision agriculture through classroom, lab, and fieldwork experiences. Changes/Problems:
Nothing Reported
What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?
Nothing Reported
How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest? News releases regarding this grant award went out to all major media outlets in central and western Kansas. This has resulted in emails and phone calls from various ag businesses, interested alumni, and prospective students. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals? During the Fall 2013 and Spring 2014 semesters, students from each institution will travel to the other institution to help advance the knowledge and skillsets of the these individuals. In order to prepare for these learning sessions, faculty will collaborate across the two institutions to ensure a high quality learning experience for the students. Evaluation of knowledge gained and skilled developed will be done which may include pre- and post-testing of the students. Industry partners will continue to be called upon and collaborated with to give students the most up-to-date and relevant exposure to these technologies. Faculty from each institution will continue to become more knowlegeable and comfortable with relevant technologies. This may include taking part in various professional development events. Faculty will continue to meet to work toward finalizing a 2+2 transfer agreement.
Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals?
FHSU and HCC faculty have met multiple times to discuss a 2+2 instructional program for students wanting to attend HCC for the first two years and FHSU for the last two years. We are in the process of looking at course equivalencies and putting together drafts of how this may potentially proceed. During the reporting period, faculty from both institutions met to discuss the Fall 2013 semester which is the first time students are to travel to the other institution for educational sessions. It was decided that topics to be covered in the classroom and in the field will include: measuring crop yield harvest loss, adjusting a modern combine to reduce harvest loss, understanding the operation and function of yield monitors and display monitors, analyzing data using FarmWorks software, and looking at the economics of investing in several different precision ag technologies. One of the primary goals of the first year was to research, discuss, and decide on the specific precision agricultural equipment and information management software to purchase. The following equipment was purchased during the reporting period: John Deere 7200R tractor, Great Plains TSF-1060 sprayer, John Deere Gator XUV, and Gleaner R65 combine. In addition to the forthcoming classroom usage, students employed by each of the institutions' farms have already gotten to experience day-to-day exposure of the equipment purchased. FHSU student workers used the John Deere field tractor for planting and various other field operations including pulling of the Great Plains sprayer during the summer of 2013. The plan also was for the HCC students to be able to utilize their Gleaner R65 combine for 2013 wheat harvest; however, this did not happen as planned. Once purchased, the combine was to be delivered from one of the equipment dealership's northern Kansas locations to the HCC campus (in southcentral KS). During transport, the truck driver went under a low overpass and struck the grain bin extensions of the combine. This did significant damage to various parts of the combine including the grain tank and other areas around the cab. Thus, the combine was not ready to operate for the 2013 wheat harvest. An unintended (positive) consequence of this, however, is that this has and will provide HCC students with experience on how to repair a damaged combine to get it back into good working condition. It is hoped that the combine will be ready for the Fall 2013 harvest. Related to the four explicitly stated goals of this project, we offer the following summary. 1) During this reporting period, students employed by each institutions' farm have had the most direct exposure to the new equipment. It is expected that in subsequent reporting periods this technology will be brought into the classroom so all students will be impacted. (As a side note, this has actually already occurred, but will be described in next year's annual report as it occurred after 08/31/13). 2) Through equipment purchases and additional discussions, industry partnerships have been strengthened. Representatives from dealerships and other precision ag-related businesses have been brought into the classrooms at both institutions and addtional equipment has been lent (i.e., a 16-row planter from Carrico John Deere dealership in Hays, KS) indicating strong support for our programs and this intiative. 3) Faculty have benefited from having easily accesible exposure to these new technologies. This has and will improve the relevancy of our instruction in the classroom and labs. 4) Faculty from FHSU and HCC have met multiple times and correspond regularly via email or phone. This did not happen nearly to this extent prior to this project.
Publications
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