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Multi-Hybrid Planter To Advance Precision Ag Research

When plant scientist Peter Sexton needed a new row-crop planter at the Beresford research farm, he looked to the future—in terms of equipment and networking.

With support from the Southeast Experiment Farm Board, a nonprofit growers’ association that owns the farm, the Agricultural Experiment Station researcher forged a partnership with Raven Industries and DuPont Pioneer. The resulting collaboration serves as a template for success in innovation and research. The twin-row planter automatically switches hybrids based on GPS mapping of the field. And that’s just the beginning of its research potential using precision agriculture to increase production.

Farm Board supports project

In spring 2012, Sexton sought advice from the Southeast Farm Corporation board regarding the need for a new planter.

Though SDSU staffs the farm, “the board plays a valuable role in our decision-making,” Sexton explains. Proceeds from the farm go to the corporation, which then reinvests them into research.

“We’ve got a good relationship,” says Sexton. The board agreed that a precision planter with the capability of planting multiple hybrids was the way to go. Kurt Reitsma, SDSU Extension Field Specialist, then arranged for Raven Industries engineers to meet with the board.

The most logical choice was a twin-row configuration and the Monosem planter had the three-point hitch the Beresford facility required, Sexton explains.

The Southeast Farm Board purchased the planter and provided funds for the raw materials needed to customize the planter. “Without their support, this project wouldn’t have happened,” Sexton says.

Raven retrofits planter

Through an agreement signed in the summer of 2012, Raven donated the engineering time to customize the planter. Sexton described what he wanted the planter to do and then Raven engineers developed those capabilities.

“This is a great model of industry partnering with public entities,” says Raven Industries Product Manager Douglas Prairie, citing his company’s emphasis on innovation. Sexton gave Raven engineers feedback as they developed the hydraulic drives, control system and software to modify the Monosem planter.

“It was fun to watch the excitement on the part of the engineering team,” he adds. “They saw such a great purpose and vision in what they were accomplishing.”

When the planter was used initially in the spring of 2013, Raven engineers worked on-site to make adjustments and get feedback from Sexton and the Beresford staff.

The development phase was kept under wraps until patents were filed and the system was unveiled at Raven in June 2013.

“We have far exceeded where I thought this product could be today,” Prairie says. The multi-hybrid switching system, controls and software are now available to customers.

DuPont Pioneer supplies hybrids

In addition to the Beresford farm, test plots were sown on private farms in Parkston, Tripp, Lennox and Baltic.

For low-lying areas, Sexton wanted a hybrid that could stand what he calls “wet feet.” It should have a horizontal root profile and be resistant to fungi to combat wetness it would experience in May and June. However, for the high areas, Sexton sought a variety with deep, vertical roots to reach for moisture when drought-stressed in August, he explains.

To select the appropriate corn and soybean hybrids for the fields that SDSU mapped, Sexton turned to DuPont Pioneer.

Pioneer agreed to supply the seed and made recommendations for Sexton, according to agronomy research manager Barry Anderson. “Whenever we can do research like this, it’s a tremendous advantage.”

The data from this research will “give us a chance to understand how our products perform,” he explains. “It’s nice when we as a seed industry can team up not only with the university but also with manufacturers. That doesn’t always happen.”

Field trials supply data

The first crops planted with the new machine were harvested in October 2013 and the data is now being analyzed.

This planter will allow SDSU researchers to produce agronomic data that will help farmers decide what to plant, where to plant it, how much to plant and when and how much pesticide/herbicide and fertilizer to apply, according to Sexton.

SDSU can provide agronomic and financial reasons why farmers should consider using a multi-hybrid approach to planting, according to Prairie. Eventually, Raven Industries seeks to play a role in “designing a true multi-hybrid planter.” This project has paved the way for further collaboration between Raven and SDSU.

As seed companies develop lines for specific environments, Sexton anticipates planters that use this type of precision technology will become commonplace. “What gets commercialized may look different but the basic ability to switch between lines on the go, I think, is part of the future.”

Source:sdstate.edu


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The FCDC and AgSmart Bring Plant Breeding to a Wider Audience

Video: The FCDC and AgSmart Bring Plant Breeding to a Wider Audience

In the vast prairies of Alberta, Olds College’s Field Crop Development Centre (FCDC) stands as a beacon of innovation and research in the agricultural world. The institution has become a key player in advancing agricultural technologies and practices. The FCDC’s commitment to applied research has driven them to seek effective means of disseminating their findings and creating a positive impact on the farming community.

One such avenue that aligns with their mission is AgSmart, an event dedicated to showcasing cutting-edge agricultural technologies. The coming together of the FCDC’s annual Field Day and Ag Smart has proved to be a natural fit, fostering a synergy that benefits both parties and propels the agriculture industry forward. The FCDC Field Day took part in conjunction with AgSmart for the first time this week on Aug. 1-2 in Olds, Alta. FCDC Program Director Kofi Agblor and Olds College VP of Development Todd Ormann sat down for an interview with Marc Zienkiewicz to discuss the significance of the two events taking part together and what the future holds.

The Intersection of Research and Technology The essence of the FCDC lies in its dedication to plant breeding and new seed varieties, particularly barley and triticale. While conducting research is essential, it becomes meaningful when its benefits are shared with the wider community. This is where AgSmart steps in, providing a key venue for the FCDC to showcase their research. This union between research and technology creates a holistic and enriching experience for farmers, ranchers, and industry professionals, the pair said.

Seeds as Technology For the FCDC, the partnership with AgSmart goes beyond mere event collaboration. It is about creating an environment that bridges the gap between seeds and smart technology, Ormann said. The college believes that for technology to truly revolutionize agriculture, it must begin with a strong foundation — high-quality seeds. As the saying goes, “it all starts with a seed.” To demonstrate this critical aspect, the collaboration aims to showcase the seed value chain as an integral part of the smartphone.

The Birth of a Powerful Alliance The idea of joining forces emerged when staff realized the potential synergy between AgSmart and the FCDC Field Day. With just a few days separating the two events, a proposal was put forward to merge them. The marketing and communications teams from both sides worked seamlessly to ensure the essence of both events remained intact, creating a powerful alliance that leverages the strengths of each, Agblor said.

Driving Advancements in Breeding For Agblor, the partnership with AgSmart has tremendous potential to drive advancements in breeding and other technology. With technologies like drones and imaging becoming integral to phenotyping, breeding is no longer confined to vast fields to assess thousands of plants manually. Instead, it benefits from the data-rich insights brought about by smart technologies. These advancements make breeding more efficient, precise, and instrumental in shaping the future of agriculture.

Overcoming Challenges Together While the partnership between Olds College and Ag Smart has been a resounding success, there are challenges on the horizon. Securing stable funding for long-term breeding initiatives is crucial to sustain progress. The college is committed to navigating these challenges and investing in agriculture’s future sustainably, Agblor said.