December 17, 2015

March 8, 2016

Performing Arts Center
Idaho State University

Putting Technology to Work: Helping Farmers Grow into the Future

Featured Speakers:

  • Adam Litle, Granular
  • Dr. Danny Klinefelter, Texas A&M University
  • Dr.Klinefelter’s Presentation: “How to Guarantee your Farm will Fail, and How to Use Technology Ensure it will Succeed.”
  • Jeff Manning, Creator of the “Got Milk?” Campaign

Moderators:
  • Lance Ellis, University of Idaho Extension
  • Remington Kendall, Simplot Corp.

 Panelists:
  • Jeff Burton, AutoProbe Technologies
  • Dr. Jianli Chen, University of Idaho
  • Dr. Joseph Kuhl, University of Idaho
  • Frank Muir, Idaho Potato Commission
  • Howard Neibling, University of Idaho Extension
  • Kraig Shulz, Autonomous Tractor Co.
  • Dr. Olga Walsh, University of Idaho
  • Dr. Cathy Wilson, Idaho Wheat Commission

Western Idaho Ag Show - Jan 26-27, 2016 Caldwell, ID

Western Idaho Ag Show Jan 26-27, 2016
 Caldwell, Idaho, Caldwell Events Center
For information - please call 208)939-6426 xt 29 for David Beale.
Upcoming presentations:
January 26 &27; 9:30 -10:30 am
Olga Walsh, PhD,Research Assistant
Professor & Extension Specialist, Cropping Systems Agronomy, University of Idaho, Parma Research & Extension Center:
"Best Management Practices for Sustainable Crop Production"

Far West Agribusiness Association - Winter Conference, January 12-14, 2016 - Twin Falls, ID


January 12 - 14, 2016



General Registration is Now Open.
Register before December 26, 2015 to received the early registration rate. 



Upcoming Presentations:
Olga Walsh, PhD,Research Assistant Professor & Extension Specialist, Cropping Systems Agronomy, University of Idaho, Parma Research & Extension Center:

  •  "Utilization Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAV) for Improved Crop Production"

The following will be discussed: 1) progress Idaho researchers have made in incorporating UAVs into agricultural research; 2) most promising uses of UAV systems for ID crop producers, depending on their objectives; 3) challenges in utilizing UAVs for ag research and farming; 4) newest safety and legal regulations to keep in mind. 
The talk will discuss a current collaborative study that aims to establish a UAV-based methodology for: 
in-season prediction of wheat yield potential, and prescribing N fertilizer rates. 
Safety & legal considerations, including exemptions, airworthiness certification, special conditions that guide the flights will be detailed.

  • "Precision Nitrogen Fertilizer and Water Application in Cereal Crops"

This talk will cover: 1)  current inefficiencies of nitrogen fertilizer and water use in Idaho cropping systems; 2) current state of precision agriculture research in Idaho; 3) ways growers can improve sustainability of crop production; 4) useful materials, publications, presentations will be listed for further education.
Results form a recent nitrogen and water study will be discussed. The study is aiming: 1)To evaluate the effects of N rates and water treatments on wheat plant growth and yield; 2)To develop methods to predict yield and grain protein content in varying N and water environments; 3)To determine the minimum N and water required to maintain wheat grain yield and quality, and 4)To develop models predicting yield loss due to N stress and yield loss due to water stress. 




SOUTHERN IDAHO CROPPING SCHOOL - February 9, 2016, Caldwell!


December 09, 2015

Conducting On-Farm Precision Agriculture Research - Powerpoint Presentation, ASA/CSSA/SSSA Webinar, December 9, 2015

Date:  Wednesday, December 9, 2015

Time:  1:30 to 2:30 pm Eastern/12:30 to 1:30 pm Central/11:30 am  -12:30 pm Mountain/10:30 - 11:30 am Pacific

Title: On-farm Trials: How Do You Know a Good One When You See One?


CEUs: CCA/CPAg:  1.0 Crop Management
CPSS/CPSC:  1.0 Professional Meeting

Webinar Description:  
Improving nitrogen (N) and water use efficiency for cropping systems is of significant agronomic, economic, and environmental value to stakeholders. Precision agriculture technologies and methodologies offer potential opportunities for improving N and water management. The most promising way to improve the efficiency of agricultural inputs – is to apply them based on site-specific crop requirements. Sound N and water recommendations should take into account spatial (field-to-field, within a field) and temporal (within a season, among seasons) variability in soil residual N and available water. Crop yield potential response to N and water varies greatly depending on a variety of environmental factors. Crop canopy sensors enable us to access crop nutrient and water status mid-season and have been successfully utilized to predict yield potential in many crops around the world. Incorporating environmental characteristics, such as an estimate of crop water status, should further improve N and water recommendations. Conducting precision agriculture research in on-farm conditions offers several key advantages. It encourages collaboration of crop producers with the research institutions, includes growers in the management decision process, and generates results the local growers can trust. Furthermore, on-farm projects enhance the educational outreach and encourage the acceptance and adoption of precision agriculture technologies and methodologies. The webinar will provide information on completed and current on-farm projects focusing on precision N and water management. In addition, an overview of key components required for successful planning and implementation of on-farm studies will be covered.
Speaker Bio:
Dr. Olga Walsh is a Cropping Systems Agronomist and Extension Specialist with the University of Idaho’s Parma Research and Extension Center. Olga was hired to direct the Cropping Systems program in September 2014. The program’s primary goals are two-fold: 1) develop applied research projects that address pressing needs of crop producers in Idaho and the Pacific Northwest region, and 2) conduct educational outreach to agricultural professionals. The program is currently focused on developing scientifically-based, field-tested, unbiased grower recommendations that would improve sustainability and profitability of farming operations. The current projects are in wheat, barley, dry beans, alfalfa and corn. Olga’s training and background is in Soil Fertility and Plant Nutrient Management. Originally from Russia, she obtained her BS degree in Soil Science at St. Petersburg State University, Russia. She received her MS and PhD degrees at the Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, OK. Prior to her UI appointment, she served as a Soil Nutrient Management Specialist with the Montana State University for 4 years. Olga is a published author on a variety of precision agriculture topics and has presented at numerous national and international precision agriculture events. Olga manages and writes for a Cropping Systems Blog (Idaho Crops & Soils), and writes and publishes a monthly newsletter – Idaho Crops & Soils News.



University of Idaho Extension improves people's lives by engaging the University and our communities through research-based education. Our areas of expertise are Agriculture, Community Development, Family and Consumer Sciences, Natural Resources, and Youth Development.

To enrich education through diversity the University of Idaho is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer and educational institution.

Sensors in Agriculture: An Idaho Ag Tech Conversation

WHEN: Wednesday, December 16, 2015 from 2:00 PM to 5:00 PM (MST) 
WHERE: Nampa Hampton Inn & Suites, 5750 E Franklin Rd.


The goal of this event is to bring together people from Idaho’s agriculture, technology, and research communities to learn how sensors are currently being used in various agriculture operations and to explore where new opportunities exist for research, development and application. Areas that will be covered include water technology, pest control, advanced machinery and equipment, livestock, and weather tracking and prediction. The event will consist of a featured success story, presentations and Q&A sessions with representatives from the ag and tech communities, and small breakout groups to focus on topics of interest from the audience.

An optional wine tasting event at the neighboring Hat Ranch Winery will be offered at 5pm.

Registration is FREE! 

Idaho Crops & Soils News - Newsletter, Issue 11




November 25, 2015

New! Nitrogen Use Efficiency - Extension Publication


 
Environmental and socioeconomic issues have underlined the urgent need to better understand the role and fate of nitrogen (N) in crop production systems. Nitrogen is the nutrient that most often limits crop production, and its proper application can result in substantial economic return to growers. However, adding more N to the soil than crops need may result in economic loss and negative environmental impacts, as well as pose substantial risk to human health. Managing N inputs to achieve a balance between profitable crop production and environmental quality is a goal—and a challenge. The behavior of N within the plant-soil system is complex, and an understanding of the basic processes that regulate its fate is essential for developing an efficient N management program. This publication aims to improve agricultural professionals’ knowledge and understanding of agronomic and cultural practices that could help to improve the efficiency of their nitrogen fertilizer use and to enhance their farming operations’ competitiveness. The publication summarizes the most current applied scientific information on practices and methodologies available to growers.


Thank you to Kelli Belmont - Cropping Systems Research Technician, UI Parma R&E CenterDr. Aaron Daigh -Assistant Professor of Soil Physics, NDSU, and Dr. Christopher Rogers - UI Endowed Barley Research Agronomist, Aberdeen R&E Center, for their valuable contribution to this publication.
To access the full text, please go to:  http://www.cals.uidaho.edu/edcomm/pdf/BUL/BUL0899.pdf 

November 24, 2015

Highlights of ASA/CSSA/SSSA, Minneapolis, MN, November 15-18, 2015

Minneapolis, Downtown.

Precision Sensing for Improved Wheat Production, poster



At University of Idaho student recruitment booth


ASA/CSSA/SSSA Early Carreer Committee - Education Session - Negotiation Strategies


 ASA/CSSA/SSSA Early Carreer Committee - Education Session - Job Application & Interview Process

ASA/CSSA/SSSA Early Carreer Committee - Education Session - Job Application & Interview Process


ASA/CSSA/SSSA Early Carreer Committee - Education Session - Negotiation Strategies

ASA/CSSA/SSSA Early Carreer Committee - Education Session - Job Application & Interview Process

With Kristofer Heller, ASA/CSSA/SSSA Golden Opportunity Scholar.


November 11, 2015

Winter wheat experimental plots looking good at UI Parma R&E Center

Winter wheat variety trial at UI Parma R&E Center (in collaboration with Mike Flowers, OSU).
Winter wheat studies on nitrogen, phosphorus and micronutrient nutrition.

Mean daily temperature, Parma ID, 2015.


Temperature trends for October and November 2015, as compared to "Normal" and "Record" temperatures, Parma, ID.



Frost on winter wheat leaves, November 11, 2015. UI Parma R&E Center.

Thanking the Veterans


University of Idaho, Parma Cropping Systems Agronomy program receives attention from Idaho media.

University of Idaho, Parma Cropping Systems Agronomy program receives attention from Idaho media. 


Olga Walsh, cropping systems agronomist for the University of Idaho Parma Research and Extension Center, holds a GreenSeeker crop sensor as the Take Flight Aviation's 3D Robotics drone flies behind her at the Parma facility. Walsh has used both the technologies to assist her research in the wheat fields. Wednesday, Nov. 4, 2015, Greg Kreller, Idaho Press Tribune.



CROPS AND SOILS PROGRAM AT PARMA R&E CENTER




WATER LIMITATIONS IMPACT ON AGRICULTURE