Impact Statement: Working Database

Title: Site-Specific Management Center

Main Contact: Jess Lowenberg-DeBoer, AGEC

Impact statement:

ISSUE: When the Site-Specific Management Center was formed in early 2000, most of the information available on precision agriculture was technical. Very little of it was oriented to management. In particular, information was lacking on the profitability of the technology and practical aspects of its use. The information that was available was scattered in a variety of publications and websites.

WHAT WE'VE DONE: In December, 2000, Purdue Agricultural Research Programs published the Precision Farming Profitability book. It is unique because it takes a comprehensive view of how precision agriculture technologies fit into practical and profitable farm management. The first chapter of the book outlines how to estimate the profitability of precision farming and the next four chapters give examples of precision farming technologies that are likely to be profitable in the next few years (e.g. using yield monitor information in choosing hybrids and varieties, using yield monitor data in drainage decisions, site-specific fertilizer application and use of GPS and other precision farming technology in wee control). The second half of the book is a reference section, which helps readers ask the right questions before purchasing precision agriculture hardware, software or services. Because no discipline has all the answers in precision farming, the book and the discussion that led to its creation have been a multidisciplinary framework for precision agriculture outreach efforts in the four departments involved: Agronomy, Ag and Biological Engineering, Botany, and Plant Pathology, and Ag. Economics. It was used as the basis for a variety of presentations and workshops including:

Presentations: New York Precision Farming Conference, Geneva, NY, Dec. 15, 2000. Farming Today for Food Tomorrow, Lakeville, IN, March, 1, 2001; Missouri-Illinois Precision Agriculture Conference, Quincy, IL, Feb. 21, 2001; InfoAg 2001, Indianapolis, IN, August 7-9, 2001; National Farm Progress Show 2001, Lafayette, IN, September 25-27; National Association of Farm Broadcasters Convention 2001, Kansas City, MS, November 14-17 2001.

Workshops: Site-Specific Diagnostic Workshops, Diagnostic Training Center, West Lafayette, IN, June 6 & July 13, 2001 (32 total participants-Consultants, farmers, ag professionals); Boiler Mazer GPS workshops, Lafayette, IN, June (50 4th grade students and adults), July (50 4th grade students and adults), August (50 4th grade students and adults), September (~10,000 farmers, children, general citizens) 2001; Site-Specific Technology Workshop, Manchester, OH, August 14, 2001 (65 participants-Harvestland Coop/Croplan Coop-sales representatives and district managers)

IMPACT: In about 10 months on the market, about 830 copies of the Precision Farming Profitability book have been sold to producers (100), Agribusiness's (230), academics and researchers (500). For promotional purposes, (140) books were sent to Purdue researchers, Purdue farm managers, Utah State University, Dow Agrosciences, Omnistar, Pioneer, Montana State U., Black Hawk C.C., Parkland C.C., Washington State U., U. of Kentucky, U. of Minn., U. of Tennessee, Crop Life Magazine, Iowa State U., Waitt Farm Network, Kirkwood C.C., Agknowledge, Lansing C.C., Carl Sandburg C.C., Turtle Mountain C.C., and 52 Indiana State county extension directors. Universities and Community Colleges currently using the book in courses and training include; Purdue University (ASM 322, 30 students/semester), Vincennes C.C. (25 students/semester), Parkland C.C.(30 students/semester), U. of Nebraska (30 students/semester), Western Illinois University (25 students/ year), Kirkwood C.C. (25 students/semester), Hawkeye C.C. (25 students/semester), Agricultural companies using the book for training include; Pioneer Hi-Bred Int'l, CASE-NH, John Deere, SST Development Group, and SoilTeq. The book received the Excellence in Communication Award from the American Society of Agronomy at their annual meeting in Oct., 2001. Precision Farming Profitability was an essential element in Meister Publishing Company decision to name Purdue University as winner of the Siteliner Award for Excellence service in precision agriculture in 2001. Comments from industry users includes; "I have had a chance to read it and I must say I am very impressed. You and your team have done a masterful job of creating a practical and informative handbook which I believe will be very valuable tool for agronomy service professionals and growers alike." Alan Koehler, Worldwide Marketing Manager, SoilTeq. "It covers all the basics and is very readable. The grower/practitioner sidebars are an interesting touch in a 'university' publication. " Tom Doerge, Agronomy Research Manager, Pioneer Hi-Bred Int'l. "We were wondering how to communicate the precision agriculture cost/benefit program to customers and consumers. This easy to read, comprehensive and very affordable book goes along way toward solving our dilemma. I can't put it down." Dave Christenson, Midwest Regional Manager, SST Development Group.

Funding Sources: Case New Holland, Mary Rice Estate, 21st Century Extension Initiative

Other Purdue researchers on the project: Akridge, J., AGEC; Biehl, L., ECE; Boyer, J., DPAC; Brouder, S., AGRY; Carter, P. AGRY; Christmas, E. AGRY; Dirks, R., BTNY; Ess, D., ABE; Fankhauser, J., PAC; Frankenberger, J., ABE; Grant, R., AGRY; Hawkins, S., PAC; Johannsen, C., AGRY; Miles, G., ABE; Miller, D. AGEC; Morgan, M., ABE; Nielsen, R., AGRY; Parsons, S., ABE; Steinhardt, G., AGRY; Strickland, R., ABE; Theller, L., ABE; Vyn., AGRY.