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January 19, 2010
· Communication key to precision ag’s future
· Breeding beneficial nematodes not to ‘wimp out’
· California growers have GM seed on their mind
· Cornell grads use their degrees down on the farm
· Ag technologies of the future on stage in Miami
Communication key to precision ag’s future
(Farmers
Weekly Interactive UK) – Precision farming technology has boomed over the
last 10 years with GPS guidance and yield mapping systems now commonplace on
In the short term, some reckoned products and services from competing manufacturers would become fully integrated and others saw greater levels of tractor and implement automation. But some of the longer-term predictions painted a very different picture for tomorrow's agriculture.
Precision Decision's Clive Blacker thought integrating products from different manufacturers would be essential. "We need to get to a point where machines are inter-compatible," he said.
Many companies were aspiring to achieve the ISO 11783 standard, with systems such as the Isobus console allowing implements from multiple manufacturers to be managed from one control unit, he said. "But this is still in its infancy when it comes to precision farming."
Part of the problem was that new developments were far more advanced than the current standards system, he added. "It is being pulled along by the industry rather than pushing the industry forward."
Improving communication between machines and systems would be another development area, he said. "Wireless communications will become common and vehicles will be online 24/7, allowing real-time data transfer and processing." This would allow large amounts of information to be transferred between office-based computers and machines, he added.
Compensating for sloping fields
Developments in GPS guidance would include greater levels of accuracy and automation, said John Deere's Mark James.
Auto-headland turns where the tractor had the ability to take the implement out of work, perform a headland turn and put the machine back to work, were already possible, he said. "This has been achieved by tying in existing headland management features with automatic guidance systems."
Compensating for implement crabbing on slopes was another development area. In most current systems implements followed passively behind the tractor. On flat fields the implement tracked accurately behind the tractor, but on sloping ground it tended to crab down the bank, he explained.
Two options would be available to remedy this, he said. A system called Open Loop had been used on some equipment, which used predefined dimensions of the implement and its attachments to keep it in line with the tractor. Although not yet proven, the system could prove cost-effective, he said.
Active implement guidance would be the next step, allowing the implement to steer itself independently of the tractor. Steering wheels or disc coulters would be used to do this, he said. "Typically this would be controlled using an RTK system mounted on the implement itself."
Developments further down the line could see leader/follower systems where one or more vehicles track each other or buddy vehicles controlled by one operator in central machine, he concluded.
Robotic Agriculture could be the future
Small, fully automated, intelligent machines could be the
precision farming workhorses of the future, according to Simon Blackmore from
the Royal Veterinary and
"Treating crop and soil selectively according to their needs by small, autonomous machines is the natural next step in the development of precision farming," he said. "Prototype automated tractors have already been produced by manufacturers such as John Deere, but these are only programmed to work within defined parameters."
Future machines would need to be more intelligent and target individual plants, rather than large blocks, he added. "Such accurate field operations would not be feasible behind a manned tractor, but if they were mounted on an autonomous machine they could become viable," he explained.
"The technology is already there; we just need to work on the software and infrastructure to support them."
Precision decision - assess the need
Talk of cutting edge precision farming technology was plentiful at this year's HGCA R&D conference, but visitors were warned that seeking ultimate precision could be false economy.
Assessing soil variation was an essential part of farm management and precision farming techniques could improve crop management and profitability, said Peter Dampney of ADAS.
But the extent of these improvements could vary substantially from farm to farm. "Growers shouldn't seek a spurious level of precision," he warned. "Farms with significant variation in soil type could benefit from precision-farming technology, but where there are only one or two soil types, variation of in-field applications could be wasted."
Based on current estimates, three-quarters of the country didn't have enough variation to warrant variable-rate applications, he added. "You need to justify the need for technology before making any decisions."
On farms where variable-rate technology could be justified, growers had several inexpensive options to explore before conducting expensive soil sampling and coring, said Dr Dampney. "You can use soil survey maps, aerial photographs and satellite images to start identifying soil zones." Old field maps could help identify divisions between soil types, he added.
This approach was also relevant when selecting GPS guidance systems, said John Deere's Mark James. "Our cheapest aftermarket GPS system offers the best return on investment."
TAG's Stuart Knight agreed. He reckoned farm size, cropping and the level of on-farm variation determined the complexity of system needed. But services to measure variation had progressed much more slowly than the systems for managing it which made the process more difficult, he noted.
Benefits of variable nitrogen application were debatable and could be smaller than reported commercially, he added. "This is partly because not all fields will have sufficient variation to justify altering nitrogen input."
Controlling weeds
Spraying systems with the ability to target individual
plants or leaves are already under development, said Mark Norremark
from
Dropping glyphosate on individual plants could offer a 98-99% reduction in the amount of product used, he noted.
Prototype systems were small-scale, but full-size versions could be seen in the future.
GM stumbling block
Lack of genetically modified crops was the main stumbling
block in
"As a result of politics we are being deprived of the most precise form of plant breeding technology - genetically-modified crops."
GM crops had the ability to reduce inputs, be better for the environment, offer higher profits and in turn drive investment into even better plants, he said. "If you want a more precise form of farming, you need to start with the plant."
In the
Breeding beneficial nematodes not to ‘wimp out’
(BYU via Medical News Today) – Microscopic nematode worms can be a potent organic insecticide, killing crop-raiding bugs without harming plants or beneficial insects and without the environmental side effects of chemicals. But when the worms are mass-bred for agricultural purposes, they tend to, as Byron Adams says, "wimp out," and are not as deadly as their cousins that grow in the wild.
The
The team reports its results in the new issue of BMC
Genomics. Graduate student Bishwo Adhikari
is the lead author; two co-authors who were undergraduates at the time are now
pursuing Ph.D.s at Caltech and the
How the worms protect crops
When the worm, called H. bacteriophora
finds an insect in the soil, it crawls inside and,
Plants and other insects, such as bees, are spared, and the worms are not toxic to humans. The bacteria are only deadly when introduced inside the insect, not when ingested, and can't survive in soil or water. So they are only a threat to the insects targeted by the worm, which include the Japanese beetle, many species of weevils, the Colorado potato beetle, cucumber beetles and many others. These pests can wreak havoc on citrus trees, turfgrass, potatoes, and many other crops.
The worms occur naturally in concentrations too small to be effective at eradicating pests. So farmers can purchase bulk quantities of nematodes mass produced in huge fermentation tanks and spread them through irrigation. Producing deadly nematodes by the barrel is the problem.
Lab-grown worms wimp out
Previous research has shown that the worms are less deadly to insects when grown away from their natural habitat. After a few generations, they don't reproduce or find hosts as well, they have a tougher time tolerating heat and they aren't as toxic to the bugs they do find.
"We wanted to know the genetic mechanisms that were
responsible for these changes, so we did a series of experiments to look at
differences in gene expression between the killers and the wimps," said
The team examined all of the expressed genes of an inbred line (wimps) of worms and their original parental line (killers). They found differences in the expression of 1,185 genes, including those involved with metabolism, virulence and longevity.
"We show that even very small changes in the relative
expression of these genes can produce large changes in wimpiness,"
Now scientists can take steps to improve the quality of
worms shipped to farmers. But that's not what has
Even broader application
"The research also shows that many of the genes
involved in the killer/wimp traits in these worms are unique to worms that are
nasty parasites of plants, humans and other animal friends,"
Some of these genes they identified play fundamental roles in host-parasite interactions, such as virulence and the suppression of host defense systems. That means the products of these genes could be promising targets for pharmaceuticals.
Other interventions could prevent disease by disrupting and altering the functions of these genes - taking what was learned about how the bug-killing nematodes evolved to became less deadly and leading harmful parasites down the same road.
Student contributions serve as launching pad
Two undergrads generated the "wimpy" line of worms for the study, which required experiments to prove that the genetic deterioration came about because of inbreeding and not other potential genetic causes. They are the first authors on another paper about this that has been submitted for publication.
John Chaston, featured here for
his work on nematodes in Antarctica, is now a National Science Foundation
fellow pursing a Ph.D. at the
Adler Dillman is now at Caltech, studying how genes influence behavior under world renowned worm geneticist Paul Sternberg, also a co-author on the paper. By the time he graduated from BYU, Dillman had presented research at nine scientific conferences.
"Dr. Adams' attitude is unique among undergraduate professors in that he encourages students to study the primary literature and then to approach him with particular studies or questions that they find interesting," Dillman said. "He then helps you turn that interest into a research program. Working for him was the best thing that happened to me as an undergraduate."
Other coauthors on the paper are: BYU's Chin-Yo Lin,
California
(HanfordSentinel.com) – It's the off season; many fields lie barren and farmers are turning their minds to that all-important kick-off: Choosing the right seed to plant in the ground.
From cotton to corn to vegetables, growers are making budgets, planning cropping patterns, calculating water supplies and looking carefully at the choices of available seed.
It's not their granddaddy's seed market anymore. A genetics revolution has enabled scientists to manipulate genes to yield specific traits that farmers want, cranking up new seed development to warp speed and leapfrogging over decades of conventional plant breeding practices.
The biggest seller so far: "Roundup-ready" varieties that allow the popular weed killer to be sprayed over the top of the crop without harming it. The plants have a specific gene engineered into their makeup to achieve the resistance.
Westside grower Tony Azevedo is planning to use a Roundup-ready Pima cotton seed this year, he said. Azevedo said he'll give it a shot on 300 acres to see how it does. He's used Roundup-ready seed on other crops before.
Like other farmers, Azevedo is conservative. If he thinks he can find a conventional seed that will do the job and is cheaper, he'll naturally go in that direction.
Sometimes, depending on a variety of factors, including soil condition and the availability of labor, it doesn't pencil out to go the genetically modified direction.
But for small grower Marty Dutra, it makes perfect sense.
Dutra, with 180 acres northeast of
With the Roundup-ready varieties, he can drive a spray rig through the field himself. Most of the time it only takes one application, he said.
"We just have less labor involved in it, and as a small grower, it's a little hard to get a [work] crew in the field," he said.
Roundup-ready has now become the standard for a wide variety
of row crops used for animal feed. In
Stratford-area seed salesman Jeff Chedester said that 10 years ago, almost all the row crop seed he sold was conventional. Since then, the genetics revolution -- what he called "transgenics" -- has transformed his seed sales for cotton and corn into 80 percent genetically modified.
Chedester said a whole host of issues, from the cost of fertilizer and sprays to the need for less environmental impact, has created a major market for genetically modified seeds. With traits built into the plant for insect resistance, disease resistance and other qualities, farmers can cut back on expensive insecticides and herbicides.
And they may soon have a long smorgasbord of options. Seed makers like Monsanto are working on drought-resistant crops and other varieties that require less fertilizer. Soon, farmers might be able to walk into the seed store and do "gene stacking," meaning they pick the traits they want and put them into a designer combination.
"Guys are looking for ways to produce more efficiently, and this is the primary way to meet that goal," Chedester said.
Azevedo hopes he'll eventually be able to plant genetically modified varieties of onions, garlic, cantaloupes and tomatoes -- crops that end up on dinner tables. Current law limits genetically modified seeds to fiber crops or plants grown for livestock food. Azevedo said it depends on consumer attitudes toward eating food grown from genetically modified seed.
Small growers like Dutra are on the same wavelength.
"I sure hope it stays. It's just a must for us," Dutra said.
Cornell grads use their degrees down on the farm
(thedailynewsonline.com)
– They were looking for jobs with respected companies, positions that would
immediately give them responsibilities and a chance to expand what they learned
at
Three recent Cornell grads found those careers with local
agriculture producers. And they say their friends with ag-related degrees had
no trouble finding jobs. That differed from the crop of graduates with other
degrees, who finished college in May and tried to find jobs in a soft economy.
In
Learning by experience
Jordyn Torrey, 23, earned her degree at Cornell in applied economics and management, with an emphasis in farm management and finance. The AEM degree often is a ticket to work for a large investment broker and bank.
Torrey didn't want that life. She preferred working for her
family in
Torrey Farms is one of the largest vegetable growers in the Northeast. Jordyn spent most of the summer working closely with her father, Mark Torrey, co-owner of the operation.
Jordyn has been scouting for insects, weeds and disease, paying close attention to the farm's onion and cabbage crops. She learned to scout the previous three summers, working as an intern at the former United Agri Products, now known as Crop Production Services in Fancher.
Jordyn expects to work with the farm's marketing program in the winter.
"I have a lot to learn," she said. "At Cornell, they can only teach you so much information. The rest you have to learn by experience."
Jordyn is one of seven siblings who will likely work at the family farm. Her two younger brothers, Lucas and Max, are Cornell students. Jordyn and four of her siblings -- sisters Shannon and Molly, and brothers Travis and Jed -- all have found roles at the farm, and they have returned with a passion for the business after getting their education, said Maureen Torrey Marshall, the farm's co-owner and Jordyn's aunt.
"They come back with a greater appreciation of what we
do,"
No to
Yes to
Sarah Brown envisioned a career in a big city, or at least a
more distant locale, working in the produce industry. The Albion and Cornell
graduate worked as an intern in
Brown, 22, was hired as the sales and marketing manager for Intergrow Greenhouses, a company with a 30-acre greenhouse that grows hydroponic tomatoes. The crop lasts year-round and the tomatoes on the vine are nearly uniform. Intergrow has about 70 employees and often sends three tractor-trailers of product out the door each day.
The company sees room for expansion, and hired Brown to help develop more markets, said Intergrow co-owner Dirk Biemans.
He was juggling the marketing position with his role as the manager of the operation.
"We want to keep growing," Biemans said.
The company mostly sells its tomatoes in the Northeast, but Biemans and Brown said they want to stretch the customer base.
She will represent the company Oct. 2-5 in
Brown said she welcomes the duties she's been given, charged
with expanding the company's profile in the produce industry. With the
"I never thought in a million years I'd be back in
Brown is happy to be so close to her family, who own Brown's
Berry Patch in Point Breeze. She recently joined the Albion Rotary Club and
serves on the board for the
Intergrow has more job opportunities, Biemans said, especially for supervisors. The company six months ago hired Brandon Branciforte as a manager. Branciforte, 23, earned a bachelor's degree in English at Plattsburgh State College.
The Le Roy native also took an organic farming course. He likes agriculture, but he doubted there was year-round work in the produce industry.
At Intergrow he will be busy, even during the winter. He said he is fascinated by the hydroponic tomatoes, how they grow using a solution of water and fertilizer.
"You have to learn what the plant wants," he said. "It's interesting. I'm learning things all the time and I'm not at a desk."
Local Chamber of Commerce and Department of Labor leaders have been trying to better promote local careers in agriculture, including opportunities for college graduates. On Tuesday, the Genesee County Chamber of Commerce will tour Torrey Farms, Lamb Farms and CY Farms, meeting a new generation of farmers and seeing how technology is embraced at the operations.
Ag technologies of the future on stage in
Miami
(AgLineNews.com) – Delegates
and exhibitors from more than 30 countries have already registered for the
IFA-New Ag International conference on Enhanced Efficiency Fertilizers (EEF)
and the 8th New Ag International Conference and Exhibition set for
March 23-26 at the Hyatt Regency Hotel in
EEF Conference Program
The term enhanced-efficiency fertilizers (EEF) encompasses slow-and controlled-release fertilizers, and fertilizers stabilized with urease and nitrification inhibitors. “The market for these products is developing at a sustained pace. Traditionally, these products have mainly been applied to specialty crops. However, slow- and controlled-release fertilizers are seeing increased market share in the broad acre crop sector (rice in Japan, and more recently corn in the USA and rice in China)”, says Jean Pierre Leymonie, Director of New Ag International, the quarterly global publication dealing with specialty inputs and technologies in agriculture.
“In 2005, the International Fertilizer Industry Association
(IFA) organized an international workshop on EEFs.
This was the first international industry event entirely dedicated to EEFs. Five years later, it is time to update the knowledge
in the field of research and development, agronomic and environmental benefits,
economics of EEF use, policy and regulatory framework, current market and
outlook. The
The
The conference will run all day on 23d March and 24th morning hours. Three keynote papers will open the conference on the 23rd:
Agronomic
effectiveness of enhanced-efficiency fertilizers, by Mike Stewart,
International Plant Nutrition Institute (IPNI),
The effect of
enhanced-efficiency fertilizers on nitrous oxide emissions from various
cropping systems, by Ardell D. Halvorson, United
States Department of Agriculture – Agricultural Research Service (USDA-ARS),
The world market for
enhanced-efficiency fertilizers, by Sarah Landels,
Agindustries Research & Consulting, Inc,
The event is sponsored by five of the world leaders in Enhanced Efficiency Fertilizers: Agrium Advanced Technologies, Agrotain, Haifa Chemicals, Scotts Professional and SFP. The full programme may be downloaded at: http://www.newaginternational.com/ifa/ifa.html
27 SPEAKERS AND MORE
THAN 30 EXHIBITORS FROM EVERY CORNER OF THE WORLD AT THE NEW AG INTERNATIONAL
CONFERENCE AND EXHIBITION
“After seven conferences held in Spain, Italy, Turkey,
Mexico, Hungary and India, we have decided to bring the event to the USA, a
market which in some respects – the use of biostimulants
in particular – is seen as behind some markets of Europe, the Middle East, Asia
and Latin America. Biostimulant science, the
technology, their use and their efficacy will therefore be central points in
the conference and in the exhibition,” says Andrew Osborne, Director of New Ag
International.
The programme for the New Ag International
conference and exhibition includes 27 papers and speakers from 12 countries.
The program follows the EEF conference beginning the afternoon of March 24 and
running through March 26.
The full programme may be downloaded at: http://www.newaginternational.com/miami/miami.html
It covers plant
nutrition, irrigation, fertigation and biocontrol. Five keynote speakers will open the conference
on the 25th: Giuseppe Natale, CEO, Valagro Spa (
The concluding
papers will be an opportunity to hear what is going on in the
The event is
sponsored by Brandt, Haifa Chemicals and Valagro,
three of the leading brands for specialty inputs for foliar, fertigation and biostimulants
application.
Both events are
officially supported by NAHSA, the North American Horticulture Suppliers
Association.
For
more information, contact New Ag International at conference@newaginternational.com
or by phone at +44 (0) 208 892 48 21
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