Kategori: News

In North Dakota, the Grand Farm Innovation Campus and Dakota Carrier Network (DCN) are teaming up to improve precision agriculture. With a big $200,000 investment from DCN, they’re working together to boost the state’s farming technology by improving internet connections.

Improving Agriculture with Better Connections

This collaboration focuses on creating a strong wireless network to support groundbreaking research in precision agriculture. DCN is supplying four key parts to this network, including fast internet crucial for sharing data and communication across large farmlands. MLGC, a broadband company linked to DCN, is also stepping in to provide the important “last mile” fiber connection, ensuring smooth data transfer from fields to researchers.

This connectivity isn’t just a technical need; it’s the foundation of precision agriculture. It allows for real-time data analysis, remote management of equipment, and advanced predictions.

These tools are vital for boosting crop yields, reducing waste, and promoting sustainable farming practices. This partnership marks a big step forward, blending technology with traditional farming to tackle the challenges of modern agriculture.

Benefits Beyond the Farm

The CEO of DCN, Seth Arndorfer, and Dr. William Aderholdt, who heads Grand Farm, both say this project is about more than just farming better. They believe it will also help North Dakota’s economy and job market. By encouraging new ideas in farming, the project could create more jobs, keep young people in the state, and boost other industries like tech and stores.

They think that improving farming will make life better for everyone in North Dakota. DCN’s internet connection is a big part of this plan. It helps Grand Farm test new ideas from startups, big companies, and universities working on tricky farming problems.

Looking Ahead, Future of Farming In North Dakota is Bright

The collaboration between Grand Farm and DCN isn’t just about fancy technology; it’s about securing a better tomorrow for the state. As precision agriculture keeps getting better, North Dakota is on the brink of a farming revolution that’s all about doing things smarter, greener, and more creatively.

This teamwork shows how connecting rural areas can break down old barriers to using technology in farming. But it’s not just about farming—this project could breathe new life into small towns, boost the economy, and make North Dakota a big player in farming worldwide.

As the world looks for ways to farm smarter and greener, North Dakota’s pioneering work in precision agriculture, backed by cool partnerships and top-notch tech, is sure to be an example for others to follow.

In Iowa, Michael Castellano talks about how growing corn involves lots of choices. He says there are billions of ways, and some people think he’s making it up. But he explains that when you add up all the different types of corn, ways of farming, and weather conditions, it really is a huge number.

This uncertainty is a big deal because using too little or too much nitrogen fertilizer can cause problems. Not enough can lower the amount of corn you grow, while too much can cost too much money and harm the environment.

The Iowa Nitrogen Initiative, led by Castellano and Sotirios Archontoulis, is trying to figure out the best amount of nitrogen for each corn field by collecting data from farms all over Iowa.

They want to make it easier for farmers to know how much fertilizer to use. The project is funded by the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship, and Iowa’s Secretary of Agriculture, Mike Naig, thinks it’s a great collaboration between farmers and experts.

He believes it will give farmers the information they need to grow crops better, make more money, and take care of the environment.

Bridging the Divide

The Iowa Nitrogen Initiative is conducting 270 on-farm trials this year across 72 different private farming operations, marking a fourfold increase from the project’s first year in 2022. The ultimate aim is to reach 500 trials per year.

For farmers to join, they need access to two increasingly common precision ag technologies: variable rate fertilizer application and GPS-based yield monitoring. Using historical yield data to identify spots expected to behave differently, project partner Premier Crop Systems designs a trial in a small area of a field, typically about five acres.

Different nitrogen rates, ranging from none to 200 pounds per acre, are assigned to sections within the trial area, and farmers share the yield data with the research team after harvest. Participants are compensated for the yield loss on land that receives no nitrogen.

Trial data is enhanced with simulations from biophysical process models to determine optimal rates based on soil and seed types, management practices, and weather. This database will power the project’s decision-making tools for the public, expected to be available for the 2025 growing season.

These tools will be particularly useful for farmers using precision ag technology to collect data. Farmers with equipment for applying fertilizer at a variable rate often lack evidence-based guidance on how those rates should vary, according to Castellano.

“We’re working to bridge the gap between the technological advancements in precision ag by engineers and the scientific understanding of agronomists,” he said.

Three Helpful Tools

The research team is working on three tools to help farmers make better decisions:

Improved Benchmark Recommendations:

• They are making better suggestions for nitrogen rates, considering differences in things like genetics, soil, how the land is managed, and the weather.
• Farmers can also check out data from trials to see what really happens with different rates and practices.

Forecasting Tool:

• This tool will predict the best rates based on current and near-future guesses about the soil and weather.
• This matters because weather has a big effect on how much nitrogen is needed, according to Castellano.

Hindcasting Tool:

• This tool helps farmers look back at a past year to see how their crop’s needs for nitrogen might have changed if they did things differently. For example, if they planted a different kind of corn or used fertilizer at a different time.

Castellano explains that the goal is to keep updating these tools with new trial data every year.

“As long as farmers are trying new things and the weather is changing, the best nitrogen rates will also change. We need to keep studying and providing farmers with the information to make the best decisions,” he said.

Getting Farmers Involved

Farmers have been part of the Iowa Nitrogen Initiative from the start, even taking part in a design sprint facilitated by Google engineers and designers back in February. Feedback from farmers played a crucial role, shaping decisions like making the initial release of decision-making tools as a mobile app. Farmers suggested this because they’re more likely to use the information if they can access it on the go.

“We’ve been working closely with farmers to make sure the products we’re creating are helpful for the people who will use them. We don’t want farmers to feel like this is something imposed on them,” said Castellano.

He is pleased that every farmer who joined in the first year continued in the second year. Roger Zylstra, one of the volunteers hosting trials for two years, shared at a field day in September that collaborating with the research team was straightforward and smooth. Zylstra, a former president of the Iowa Corn Growers Association, farms near Lynnville in Jasper County and is eager for wetter years to provide more variations in the data.

“I always try to find ways to be a better steward of the land, and we learn there are better ways to do things,” said Zylstra. “I think the potential here is amazing.”

Project leaders are now inviting farmers, crop advisers, and custom fertilizer applicators to sign up for a trial in the 2024 growing season. Those interested can fill out an online form for more information or to express their interest.

According to US Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack, the dairy industry in the United States was the first to promote a system where farmers are rewarded for addressing climate issues voluntarily and through market-based approaches.

Vilsack is particularly concerned about the well-being of the US dairy industry as farmers grapple with the impacts of both climate change and farm consolidation.

At the 2023 World Dairy Summit in Chicago, Vilsack highlighted the challenges faced by dairy farmers, with 92.5% of them collectively earning only 11% of the total income from dairy operations in the US. This underscores the urgent need for attention and support in the sector.

Vilsack shared insights into the proactive steps the US is taking to ensure the long-term sustainability of agriculture. He emphasized that farmers have expressed a preference for a voluntary and incentive-based system.

They want the market to recognize and appreciate their contributions, and they are keen on robust methods for recording, measuring, monitoring, and verifying results. This, according to Vilsack, will assure consumers that the products they purchase have been sustainably produced.

“And they desire it to be a cooperative partnership, which led to the establishment of the Climate-Smart Partnership Initiative.”

Within the framework of the Partnerships for Climate-Smart Commodities, the US Department of Agriculture has announced its commitment to funding partnerships that promote the production and marketing of climate-smart commodities through a series of pilot projects lasting one to five years.

In the initial phase, 70 projects were selected to receive an investment of up to US$2.8 billion (approximately $4.75 billion). By the end of 2022, an additional 71 projects were included, accompanied by an extra investment of US$325 million.

The funded projects encompass a variety of areas, including precision agriculture, biofuels, as well as marketing and education programs.

“We acknowledge the opportunity to generate value-added commodities so that farmers are not only compensated for adopting climate-smart practices beneficial to the environment, but they are also rewarded in the marketplace with a value-added proposition.”

He expressed his belief that consumers in the United States are interested in and willing to invest in products produced sustainably. However, he emphasized the need for tangible proof to assure consumers that these products genuinely adhere to sustainable practices. He has a profound understanding of the dedication dairy farmers have towards their operations, the environment, and their local communities.

According to him, it is the responsibility of policymakers to take appropriate measures in creating a program that recognizes and values all types of farmers. He is enthusiastic about the opportunity to establish an entrepreneurial model that complements the existing production agriculture model.

Vilsack stressed the importance of maintaining strong agricultural production in the United States to feed the world while also creating opportunities for small to midsize businesses to ensure the continued vibrancy of rural communities.

Vilsack expressed his dissatisfaction with the fact that 57 million hectares of land in the US are no longer utilized for farming. This vast land mass is equivalent to the combined area of the entire states of Florida, Georgia, North Carolina, and South Carolina, representing a substantial loss.

After spending four years with the US Dairy Export Council, Vilsack returned to the USDA with a strong commitment to safeguarding US agriculture. He is dedicated to promoting sustainability and ensuring fair market value.

Reflecting on his tenure in the dairy industry, he emphasized the sector’s potential. The dairy industry, according to Vilsack, was at the forefront in recognizing the capacity and opportunity to move towards a net-zero future. He credited the US dairy industry for championing a voluntary and market-based system that listens to farmers and rewards them for addressing climate concerns.

Expressing gratitude to the industry for taking these steps, Vilsack believes that the dairy sector, and agriculture as a whole, has boundless potential and endless possibilities. He commended the industry for initiating efforts to tap into this potential and emphasized the pride the industry can take in its contributions to addressing climate challenges.

Smart technology, like machines that get rid of weeds and software for picking crops, could make farming better. But, experts told senators on Tuesday that we need to make sure the computer systems are safe from attacks. The group of experts and the Senate Agriculture Committee agreed that farmers should be able to afford this technology, maybe with support from USDA funds.

Over 25% of American farmers use precision agriculture tech, like GPS steering, yield monitoring, drones for checking fields and animals, and robotic milking. AI, by looking at lots of data, could help farmers work better or do tasks automatically. Keeping data safe has been a problem since precision agriculture started. Agricultural AI, which needs to send data from the farm to the cloud, brings up concerns about cybersecurity.

“In farming, we have to make sure our data is safe,” said Jose-Marie Griffiths, who leads Dakota State University, where they study cybersecurity. “With the growth of AI, we’re adding more technology to farming, and that makes the risks higher.”

AI could assist farmers with things like deciding how much fertilizer to use, managing pests, predicting crop yields, and, in dry places, figuring out how much water to use for irrigation, according to Mason Earles, a teacher at UC-Davis. “I believe these can save farmers money, maybe around 5 to 15 percent, on average, in their operations.”

Jahmy Hindman, the chief technology officer of Deere and Co., mentioned that for AI to bring its full benefits to the farm, rural areas need good internet, especially in the fields. Hindman suggested that senators think about adding rules to the farm bill. These rules would let farmers use USDA funds to help pay for high-tech equipment. Sanjeev Krishnan from S2G Ventures added, “I think it’s crucial for public policy to step in, not just providing tools but also the money to help farmers produce more and earn more per acre.”

Lawmakers from farming areas support separate bills for two goals – making sure the internet reaches the “Last Acre” and helping with the costs of precision ag equipment. They believe these steps will make crops grow more while spending less, cut down on pollution, and stop soil erosion. Representative Jimmy Panetta from California explained in March that using USDA funds and getting payments for using eco-friendly methods “will encourage precision agriculture by getting rid of financial obstacles.” Senator Deb Fischer, who supports Last Acre, said in May that farmers “need internet that reaches beyond their homes and into their fields.”

Debbie Stabenow, chairwoman Senate Agriculture group, talked about problems like keeping our information safe online, having good internet, how much AI costs, and keeping data private when she started the meeting. Stabenow also said the U.S. has to make a big effort, like a “moonshot,” in agriculture research to stay ahead worldwide. John Boozman, the top Republican from Arkansas in the group, said, “Even though AI can do great things, we need to be careful and ask hard questions about the possible problems.”

Kenyan farmers are on the verge of gaining access to an upcoming agri-tech platform, which will empower them to make data-driven farming decisions and oversee their crops with the assistance of satellite imagery and artificial intelligence.

The Directorate of Resource Surveys and Remote Sensing (DRSRS) in collaboration with an agriculture technology company is currently in the process of creating a nationwide digital initiative for satellite-based crop monitoring and yield forecasting.

As per Charles Situma, the Deputy Director of DRSRS, the platform will need the capability to digitally monitor and distinguish various crops throughout the nation. Furthermore, it is anticipated to provide farmers and authorities with advanced analytical tools to enhance data-driven decision-making.

It’s worth noting that the agricultural sector contributes 30% to Kenya’s gross domestic product. Nevertheless, both organizations expressed concerns about the sector’s susceptibility in the face of the ongoing climate crisis.

As Situma suggests, the agricultural sector and those responsible for making decisions can enhance sustainable food security through the use of digital technology.

Additionally, the Chief Operations Officer of the agriculture technology company mentioned that the platform would assist farmers and decision-makers in devising more sustainable food security programs by furnishing them with precise data concerning soils, crops, and forests.

Farming serves as the primary income source for the majority of Kenyans, contributing significantly to aspects like food security, economic growth, job opportunities, off-farm employment, and foreign exchange earnings.

Regrettably, the agricultural sector is presently exposed to climate change risks, largely due to escalating temperatures, droughts, and changing rainfall patterns.

Similar to Nigeria, the circumstances for Kenyan farmers are exacerbated by adverse weather conditions, including floods, suboptimal farming practices, limited knowledge, and the use of low-quality agricultural inputs. These factors collectively exert a substantial influence on the productivity of farmers.

Jenny Moffitt, who works for the U.S. Department of Agriculture, came to Montana this week. She wanted to celebrate how well organic farming is doing in the state and tell people about the help the federal government gives to organic farmers.

Moffitt and more than 60 other people visited Amaltheia Organic Dairy in Belgrade on Tuesday. They did a tour of the farm and talked about organic farming with farmers and leaders from all over Montana.

The talk was set up by Nate Powell-Palm, who speaks for the Montana Organic Association. He’s also an organic farmer. They talked about how a program called the Transition to Organic Partnership Program (TOPP), run by the USDA, can help farmers who want to switch to organic farming. This national program is planning to give about $100 million over five years to groups like MOA that help farmers make the switch to organic farming.

Moffitt, the person from the U.S. Department of Agriculture, said at the beginning of the discussion that they hope people will see organic farming as a very important part of American farming. They want people to know that choosing organic is a way to keep up with the times.

In the past, farmers believed they had to get very big or give up farming. But now, farmers have a different choice. They can make their products more valuable and create local markets for them.

The event on Tuesday was a way to show how much organic farming has grown over the years. It started as a small protest against using chemicals in farming and has become a successful and respected way of farming. Montana is the second-largest state in terms of organic farming, just behind California.

Nate Powell-Palm, who spoke for the Montana Organic Association, said he is happy and thankful for all the hard work that has been done to promote organic farming. He feels energized to keep working in the future.

During the panel discussions, they talked about how having experienced people help and teach new organic farmers is very important. They also talked about how to make sure farmers who switch to organic farming stay organic.

One big problem for organic farmers now is dealing with weeds that come back every year. Bindweed and thistle are two common weeds that make it hard for organic farms to grow crops. They also discussed how it’s even tougher for organic farms that don’t plow the soil.

They mentioned the idea of using natural methods to control weeds instead of chemicals, like the work being done by Kuvu Biosolutions in Bozeman and researchers from Montana State. They think this could be a big improvement.

Making sure that you grow different crops can also help you deal with weeds. Schmidt suggested that farmers should plan ahead and not grow the same crop in the same fields year after year.

New organic farmers can find it difficult to sell their products directly to customers and have local markets in a big state like Montana, Schmidt explained. The panelists agreed that having a variety of products, like Amaltheia raising goats and making cheese, along with growing vegetables, can help farmers sell to more people.

MOA vice chair Ty O’Connor, who is also an organic farmer, said it plainly: “Be diverse so that you can keep going.”

O’Connor also said that while it’s important to talk about the challenges that farmers face today, there’s no one-size-fits-all approach to switching to organic farming. He mentioned that every farmer is different, and that’s what makes the transition harder. There’s no step-by-step guide for organic farming.

Under Secretary Moffitt said that’s why it’s so valuable to have local mentorship programs. It’s important to have someone in your community who grows the same crops and can help you when you have a problem. They can share their experiences and advice with you, which is really helpful.

Many of the stories shared on Friday had a common theme for why people switch to organic farming – for these farmers, it’s the only choice.

Tracey Dion, who is a farmer and the MOA chair, explained that her family’s regular sugar beet farm in Terry had made the soil very poor, almost like just plain dirt. The best way to make the soil healthy again was to switch to organic farming.

Bob Quinn, who is also an organic farmer in Big Sandy and wrote a book called “Grain by Grain,” agreed with that idea. He said, “I think organic farming is the only way that makes sense for the future.”

However, Moffitt, the person from the U.S. Department of Agriculture, said that both organic and regular farming should exist together. Instead of making one seem bad and the other good, what’s really important is that farmers have the freedom to choose how they want to grow food.

Nate Powell-Palm, who organized the event, said that it went even better than he expected. Some farmers traveled more than six hours just to attend. He mentioned how connected the organic farming community is in the state. When they need to gather for a cause, many farmers can come together quickly, showing that to make a change, everyone needs to work together.