08/07/2002

Try Out the Future of Farming at the Farm Science Review

Writer:

Emily McConnell
mcconnell.85@osu.edu
(614)247-6385

Source:

Matthew Sullivan
sullivan.64@osu.edu
(614)247-6286

Reza Ehsani
ehsani.2@osu.edu
(614)292-2540

Nathan Watermeier
watermeier.2@osu.edu
(614)688-3442

LONDON, Ohio — The future of farming is here and it's available to try out at the Farm Science Review Sept. 17-19 at the Molly Caren Agricultural Center in London, Ohio.
Precision agriculture technologies are gaining popularity across Ohio as a way to streamline operations in the face of rising input costs. Visitors to the 2002 Review will have a chance to evaluate a wide range of technologies, including vehicle guidance systems, handheld GPS technology and crop-sensor systems.
According to Matt Sullivan, an Ohio State University Extension program specialist, the vehicle guidance system demonstrations at the 2002 Review are expected to be one of the largest and most diverse in the Midwest.
"All the different systems will be lined up for farmers at the Review – you won't be able to see that any other place," said Sullivan. "It's a great evaluation tool for farmers to grab hold and actually be able to sit behind the steering wheel."
At least eight brands of guidance systems will be set-up on utility vehicles at the Farm Science Review to allow visitors to operate and evaluate. Equipment manufacturers will also be on hand during the demonstrations to answer questions.
The vehicle guidance system essentially provides auto-pilot for tractors. It uses GPS (Global Positioning System) signals to guide equipment through the field with no intervention from the driver, although the driver still must make the turns at the end of the field.
These guidance systems are a definite part of farming's future, said Sullivan. He predicts that within five years tractors will come with the option of auto-steer technology. For now, though, the system carries a price tag of about $25,000.
For some farmers, the benefits may be worth the cost. The system is accurate to within four to six inches and, besides letting farmers sit back and relax, it can save time and money. The system results in less overlap or gaps from field input applications, reduction of driver fatigue, controlled traffic for reducing compaction, better equipment efficiency for night time field work and in some cases, less reliance on foam markers.
Other guidance aids will also be set up for demonstration at the Review, including the light bar. These types of guidance systems act as a visual aid to help the driver stay on a straight line and curved course and cost between $3,000 and $5,000. Benefits include reduction of overspray, better efficiency at night and less reliance on foam markers.
Near the field harvest demonstrations, Review visitors can check out handheld GPS systems.
"Handheld computers and GPS units are more flexible and economical than ever before," said Nathan Watermeier, OSU Extension program leader technology, who will be conducting the in-field demonstrations of handheld systems at the Review. "These systems can be purchased for as little as $200 and can have a variety of applications on the farm."
Handheld GPS systems can be purchased as separate units or as software add-ons to PDA's (Personal Digital Assistant). Their uses include the collection of field data about soils, fertility, geographic notations, and other crop scouting criteria. They also can be used for navigation and can be integrated with yield monitors, light bar guidance systems or remote sensing imagery.
Handheld GPS and field guidance system demonstrations will be conducted Sept. 17 and 18 from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. and Sept. 19 from 1 p.m. to 3p.m. during the field harvest demonstrations.
On the main grounds of the Review, various applications of sensor technology will be on display at the precision agriculture exhibit located at the Alumni Park at OSU Central. The exhibit features new commercially available sensors as well as two new sensors that are being developed at OSU by precision agriculture state specialist Reza Ehsani.
The plant growth sensor exhibited at this year's review is a new version of the biomass sensor displayed in 2001, both developed by Ehsani. The biomass sensor used laser technology and cost about $7,000. The new version is an ultrasonic sensor and is much more economical at $400 to $500.
"The plant growth sensor can measure and map plant height and density throughout the field the first three weeks after planting and can then measure plant growth rate. Knowing plant growth rate information, especially early on, can help farmers to better adjust input levels," said Ehsani. "It's another tool to record data helpful in increasing the bottom line."
A yield monitor simulator, also developed by Ehsani, will also be on display. This simulator is a mobile unit that can simulate components of a yield monitor, such as an impact sensor, moisture sensor, and the speed sensor and can be used for research and educational purposes.
The precision agriculture exhibit will also include applications of remote sensing imagery, which can be captured using sensors or cameras mounted on satellites, airplanes or unmanned aircraft. For crop management purposes, it can be used to determine crop health, emergence issues, drainage issues or to evaluate the uniformity of herbicide and fertilizer applications.
"Remote sensing enables us to obtain additional information that the human-eye is unable to see like nutrient needs and plant stresses," said Watermeier. "We are already seeing benefits of using imagery and other supporting data for assessing nitrogen use in corn particularly with our recent dry season."
The Farm Science Review, sponsored by Ohio State's College of Food, Agricultural, and Environmental Sciences, takes place Sept 17-19 at the Molly Caren Agricultural Center near London, Ohio. Tickets are $6 at the gate or $4 in advance when purchased for county offices of OS Extension or agribusinesses. Children 5 and younger are admitted free. Hours are 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Sept. 17-18 and 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sept. 19. For more information about Farm Science Review, log on to http://fsr.osu.edu.