TURNING GADGETS INTO MANAGEMENT TOOLS
by Lynn Van Maanen, University of Guelph

Heather Bee, SouthWest Ag Partners uses an iPAQ to keep track of problem areas in fields.
Yield monitors, autosteer and lightbar guidance systems, record-keeping and analysis software, handheld computers... there are lots of gadgets available to help corn growers keep track of exactly what they have done and where. As growers see how the information provided by these tools can impact their management decisions, more may make the investments. Here, growers and information service providers explain what they use and for what, as well as their recommendations of what to look for when investing in this technology.

Gadget owners are generally looking for tools to help in at least one of the following: improve the efficiency of field operations, record keeping, or field scouting. John Murray of HJV Equipment notes that autosteer and lightbar sales took off last fall, as growers looked for ways to increase their accuracy, speed and efficiency. For example, Larry Litschko of Kent Bridge figures his light bar pays for itself. He used it last spring to seed red clover
at night (with no need to watch rows), when he could get on to the frozen field without doing any compaction. Larry also spreads his own fertilizer, and with the help of his lightbar and GPS mapping software, he knows exactly how much fertilizer is needed to complete a field.

John Murray notes that growers often start with one tool such as a lightbar, then add record keeping software to keep track of where they went.

Companies such as AgExpert, Farm Works and SST (Site-Specific Technology Development Group Inc.) offer a variety of software packages designed to organize data from a handheld computer or GPS receiver into records, then analyze it to answer agronomic or financial queries. Al McCallum, an independent agronomist near St. Thomas carries a Palm Pilot handheld computer, loaded with AgExpert Field Master software to keep field operation and scouting notes. He says this software makes it easy to keep all records in one place, which then saves time later when generating reports. Al also uses another handheld computer: an iPAQ loaded with Farm Works software, together with a GPS receiver to map field perimeters, soil sample points and landmarks. Knowing exact acreage helps Al's customers make decisions on renting and input costs. As well, these tools give Al accurate numbers to assess field variability and make recommendations on lime and potash applications. Keeping records helps check if the management decisions were the right ones.

Heather Bee, Crop TRACS coordinator for SouthWest Ag Partners in Eberts, also uses an iPAQ with Farm Works software in her field scouting business. She notes the importance of identifying problem areas such as nutrient deficiencies in the growing season, so they know exactly where to take soil or plant samples. Once that information is collected, the problem can be tackled.

Larry Litschko did his own scouting this year, using his handheld to record bindweed patches, which are a problem in his seed corn. Even if he can't see bindweed in winter wheat underseeded to red clover, he now knows exactly where it is and can control it in that crop.

Nic Walby of Laresco in London uses SST's software to manage his customer's information. His handheld iPAQ runs Stratus software to collect data in the field, his desktop computer has Summit software for reporting and costing, and he uses the FarmRite Network, a web based GIS, as a data warehouse and tool to add other layers of information, such as weather and aerial photos for more in-depth analysis. The idea is that growers can see where to spend money to fix a problem, without necessarily investing the time to learn how-to process the data themselves. Nic says pooling information in this confidential database also "Allows producers to contribute to research on a larger scale."

Murray Gervais, a grower and Precision Ag Specialist with South West Ag Partners in Eberts is doing some of this on his own. He is building a database from corn test plots of variable nitrogen rates and recording environmental and soil conditions. He admits that the technology to collect numbers is farther ahead than our knowledge of how to use those numbers. He would like to see 5 to 7 years of data before being comfortable in making nitrogen recommendations. While it may be a couple of years before Murray uses the information collected from his yield monitor and GPS receiver to variably sidedress nitrogen in corn, he notes that he is already seeing a payback in bits and pieces from his investment. For example, he now knows within 15 seconds of starting to harvest a field what the moisture content is. This is much faster than running a sample to the local elevator. Also, he says an accurate tile map pays for itself in the right year.

Knowing the power of information in management decisions, where should you start to invest? Murray and Nic suggest starting with a yield monitor with GPS capability. Look into the system's ease of use, reliability, accuracy, installation and support. GPS receivers range from handhelds with accuracies of a few meters and costing a few hundred dollars (good enough for scouting), to receivers with sub-meter accuracy and costing a few thousand (needed for boundary mapping). Lightbars are easy to transfer from one piece of equipment to' another. If you want to carry a handheld computer, check its durability, battery life, screen visibility in sunlight and speed and ease of use in the field. Murray finds his handheld easy to use - even if it has been 6 months since he last picked it up.

Finally, choosing a software package to record and manage collected information is key. Larry Litschko says he "is not particularly computer literate" thus, he appreciates how easy his software is to use. He also liked how easy it was to install and how quickly the company gives support, either by phone or e-mail. He admits however, that he would still like help in organizing all his information. Nic Walby knows that a consistent data structure is essential when comparing data across years, fields or management systems. Regardless of what system you choose, gadgets that gather information are a good long-term investment. As Nic Walby notes, whether the information is collected for Nutrient Management Plans, contracts or individual crop and business management, more information always drives more questions. Answering those questions helps making management decisions easier.

What Is An iPAQ?

Is there a place for a handheld computer in your farm operation?

The HP iPAQ Pocket PC is the name brand of a line of popular personal computers that are small enough to fit in your hand or pocket. Made by Hewlett-Packard, iPAQ has been referred to as the "Kleenex" brand for handhelds, or pocket personal computers. The concept for these small machines is threefold: 1. act as a personal information manager (for example: keep notes, an appointment calendar or contact information), 2. run a portable office (for example: use software like Word, Excel, financial or mapping software anywhere) and 3. have entertainment (for example: play games or record audio). Various handhelds differ in features such as: size and quality of the display (important for outside use), wireless capability (can you send e-mail or connect to other devices without cables?), security (use passwords or fingerprint recognition), memory (important for storing maps) and expandability (can you attach a GPS receiver?). Depending upon what you want it to do, an iPAQ can cost between $325 and $800.