All posts by LandWISE Admin

Conference, Uncategorized, Weeds

LandWISE 2019: Focus on Weed Management

OZ440 from Naio Technologies. An example of alternative, non-herbicide weed management

The 2019 Conference covers, as always, a range of topics. Here, we take a look at weeds: the speakers, the topics, the demonstrations and the opportunities.

We are part of a large, five year Ag Research programme addressing herbicide resistance in weeds. Programme Leader, Trevor James is well known to the LandWISE community having supported our efforts since the beginning. He first put together the LandWISE “Avoiding Herbicide Resistance” chart when we were investigating reduced tillage systems in the early 2000s.

At LandWISE 2019, Trevor will introduce the project and its four workstreams: Anticipating herbicide resistance, Drivers of decision making to change practice, Quick tests for identifying resistance and Managing herbicide resistant weeds and controlling their spread.

Andrew Griffiths, also from AgResearch, will explain his team’s research looking for genetic markers to enable quick tests for resistance. At present, seeds have to be collected, new lines grown and plants exposed to increasing rates of chemical – a process that takes a long time. Success by Andrew’s team will offer a much quicker turn-around and reduce the cost of testing.

Frank Forcella, one of our overseas guest presenters, investigates and shows how conventional and modern weed management tools can turn theory into practice. From the University of Minnesota, Frank is part of the AgResearch project team. At our conference he will talk about using air-blasted farm-sourced grits to abrade weeds.

Also well known to LandWISE members is Charles “Merf” Merfield, a non-herbicide weed management researcher and practitioner from the Future Farming Centre in Canterbury. Currently undertaking an electric weeder development project, at LandWISE 2019 Merf will address electrical and thermal weeding technologies.

The Conference Practical Session also has a weed management section with a number of demonstrations. Look for row alignment technologies from Inta-Ag and Tulloch Farm Machines, Hot Foam from Weeding Tech and Farnk Forcella’s abrasion technologies from the University of Minnesota.

Note also, the Special Technical Session for lead farmers, researchers and technologists on Friday 24th after the Conference. This by-application event, “New Strategies to Manage Weeds”, will build on the ideas discussed at the Conference.

If you would like to join a small group of lead farmers, researchers and tech developers to discuss this topic, debate alternatives and explore opportunties for collaboration Click here to apply!

AgTech, Conference

LandWISE – An Official Techweek 2019 Event

LandWISE 2019 is an official part of Techweek2019. Information about the Conference is here>. This post tells a little about the big Techweek concept, and has some glimpses of our history since our origins in a paddock in 1999.

The intention behind Techweek is simple. New Zealand’s technology and innovation sectors are growing rapidly, and Techweek fosters that growth by providing the national ecosystem with a week-long opportunity for connection and cross-pollination, using an independent platform to amplify New Zealand’s unique and inspiring innovation stories to the world.

Why is LandWISE part of Techweek? Because it is a perfect fit!

RTK_GPS Strip Tillage demonstration 2003

Since we began in a paddock in 1999, we’ve investigated technologies, processes and systems that can help make food production sustainable.

Video Row Guidance 2009

Whether it be strip-till equipment, autosteer tractors, precsion guidance, irrigator and fertiliser calibration methods, sensors or just good agronomy, “Sustainable Cropping Through Technology” has been part of us.

The ASALift Gantry tractor in 2013

We’ve covered many themes, adapting as our membership’s needs and curiosities have changed.

OZ440 – Robotic Weeding 2017

LandWISE 2019 continues this with stories and reports about technologies for nitrate management, weed management, drainage and more.

Smartphone app to measure percentage canopy cover 2108

We’re proud to be part of Techweek19.


Agronomy, AgTech, Conference, Plant Health, Uncategorized, Vegetables, viticulture, Weeds

LandWISE 2019: Frank Forcella

Abrasive Weeding: A New Tool for Weed Management

Frank Forcella

Frank Forcella is Adjunct Associate Professor at the University of Minnesota where his research involves ecology, modeling, and management of weeds in crops. Frank has special focus on weed dormancy, germination and emergence, early seedling growth and seed production.

We invited Frank to LandWISE 2019 because, as well as an impressive weed research history, he investigates and shows how conventional and modern weed management tools can turn theory into practice and he has a drive to transfer this technology to appropriate user groups.

Our new involvement in a major AgResearch led project “Managing Herbicide Resistant Weeds” includes assessing non-chemical methods of weed control. Frank and his colleagues and research students have considerable experience in these aspects, particularly in using air-blasted farm-sourced grits to abrade weeds.

A weed abrasion system developed for field scale application of abrasion for weed control (Frank Forcella image)

As well as presenting at the LandWISE conference, Frank will be an active participant in the Friday Special Technical Session “New Strategies to Manage Weeds”.

Conference, Fertiliser, Nutrients, Plant Health, Research, Uncategorized

LandWISE 2019: Brad Bernhard

Alternative fertiliser application methods

Brad Bernhard was born and raised on his family’s hog and grain farm in northern Illinois. We were introduced to him via a fascinating webinar that included the benefits of applying liquid fertiliser to create high N concentration directly in the plant’s rooting zone.

Brad earned his Master’s degree under the advisement of Dr. Fred Below in the Crop Physiology Laboratory studying the use of innovated foliar micronutrient sources in high yielding corn and soybean production systems.

Recently, Brad completed his Ph.D. degree in Crop Sciences focusing on in-season fertility using different fertilizer sources and application methods. In addition, he investigated ways to manage higher corn planting densities using narrower row spacings along with characterizing hybrids for use in these more intensive cropping systems.

Y-drops; a new way to apply nitrogen to row crops (Brad Bernhard image)

We think this approach has great potential for a wider range of crops, including winter vegetables, but have no doubts that it is not a case of a simple switch. We asked Brad to join speakers at LandWISE 2019 to share his experiences and (perhaps) warn us of some of the fishhooks he encountered along the way.

Agronomy, Nutrients, Soil

Practically managing soil N using quick tests

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Republished:
2014 Conference presentation by Matt Norris and Paul Johnstone
The New Zealand Institute for Plant & Food Research Limited

Norris NTestStripNitrogen fertiliser is used extensively to maximise productivity across a range of vegetable, arable and forage crops in New Zealand. Matching crop N demand with supply from residual soil mineral N, N mineralisation from organic matter and fertiliser N is central to economic and environmental outcomes in these sectors.

To improve nitrogen use efficiency, effective tools and approaches are required to help guide nutrient management decisions. One potential method is the ‘quick test’ soil nitrate (NO3-N) approach. This in-field approach uses a ‘test strip’ impregnated with a NO3-N sensitive alert zone which, with a simple colorimetric scale, may be used to measure soil solution NO3-N concentrations. Measured NO3-N concentrations can then be compared with critical threshold limits that have been established for a number of crops.

The quick test strips have already been used for a number of years overseas to support growers in making N fertiliser decisions. Depending on NO3-N levels at sampling, a test strip reading may indicate the need for fertiliser to be applied, withheld for a period or eliminated entirely. The test can therefore provide more certainty in decision making. In addition to being cost effective and simple to use, the quick test approach provides the user with rapid information thus enabling decisions to be made at short notice.

In 2013–14, Plant & Food Research undertook a series of proof-of-concept trials to examine the ‘quick test’ soil nitrate (NO3-N) approach under NZ conditions. The aim of the work was to:

  1. substantiate the relationship between test strip nitrate values and laboratory-determined mineral N (the ‘gold standard’) and
  2. assess the suggested quick test critical thresholds for making N fertiliser decisions in beetroot and carrot crops.

Results from this preliminary work were encouraging. Follow on trials will test further the suitability of the strip in making field-scale N fertiliser decisions.

plantandfood_logo1

Precision Agriculture, Soil, Tillage

New Zealand Soil Management Field Days

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Don’t miss LandWISE 2017: Are we ready for automation?
24th-25th May 2017, Havelock North

8th-9th March 2017, Pukekawa, Pukekohe

The NZ Soil Management Field Days offer a two day field aimed at all areas of crop production that needs to cultivate the soil.

The two Days aim to bring together a broad selection of machinery companies keen to demonstrate their products both new and existing.Also present will be new technology looking to improve our understanding of the soil and better ways to control weeds and disease.

Catering on site will be available for the two days with coffee and hot food. Upon registration the first 250 entrants will receive a free event hat.

On the first afternoon FAR will give three presentations on:

  1. Research outcomes for soil management and environmental issues
  2. Cultivation techniques long term trial Northern Crop research site
  3. Soil quality results from focus on potatoes project and then these will be repeated in in the morning of the second day.

Once again many thanks to all the main sponsors and exhibitors and to Sundale Farms for the use of the site.

Location: 585 Highway 22, Pukekawa 2696

This is an opportunity to see new technology and techniques from a broad base of suppliers from throughout New Zealand.

The  Pukekohe area has a unique 12 months of the year growing potential, a wide variety of crops grown, and some of the biggest grower operations in the country. Within New Zealand there are many companies with  new ideas and great equipment which don’t get seen.

Special note to suppliers and potential sponsors

Contact the organisers to ask any questions, they are hoping to accommodate as many companies as possible and expect growers from all over the country to come.

Email the organisers:

 

AgTech, Drainage, Precision Agriculture

UAV Regulations To Know

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Guidance for Operating Your Drone Safely

Simon Morris

Simon Morris

Altus UAS

 

 

Most people will have heard about UAV’s or drones (officially RPAS) and many know of the existence of regulations here in New Zealand, but few know exactly what the rules are and who they apply to.

Two websites offer particularly helpful information for users of UAVs or RPAS:

www.caa.govt.nz/rpas/

This is the dedicated webpage of Civil Aviation, the controlling authority. Information about Parts to Civil Aviation Rules that relate directly to RPAS are:

  • Part 101 Gyrogliders and Parasails, Unmanned Aircraft (including Balloons), Kites, and Rockets – Operating Rules, and
  • Part 102 Unmanned Aircraft Operator Certification.

Operators of RPAS also need to be aware of other rules that affect them, for example Part 91 General Operating and Flight Rules.

www.airshare.co.nz

Airshare acts as a UAV hub for New Zealand. It has information including how to operate your drone safely, plan all your UAV flights, and request access to controlled airspace.

You can find maps on the site showing where you can and cannot fly your UAV

NOTE   The information contained on Airshare is not to be relied on as a substitute for a comprehensive knowledge of the relevant rules and regulations that apply to the operation of UAVs. It is the UAV operator’s responsibility to read, understand and operate any UAVs in accordance with the Civil Aviation Rules.

AgTech

The Move to “Precision Forestry”

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Increasing the Resolution in which we Manage

david herries

David Herries
Interpine Innovation

 

 

Several industries recognise the benefits of increasing the resolution in which we manage.   We often refer to this as increasing the precision of our management thought smart decision making with better and more timely information; or “precision forestry”.

Considerable work is being done relating to remote sensing our forests with LiDAR, the use of UAV (a.k.a Drones or RPAS) technology in the sector, and adoption of computer based harvesting systems as the industry mechanises to reduce human health and safety risk.

David provided  an insight on the use of these technologies and their application in the forest sector, in the move to “precision forestry”.    This will reflect and provide a view on how other primary industry sectors are using technology to make gains in productivity and remain competitive on the international market.

AgTech, Plant Health, Research, Sensing

Vision System for Onion Crops

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Effective Sensing for Robotic Tasks- Still a Challenge

Chee Kit Wong

Kit Wong
Callaghan Innovation

 

Effective and reliable sensing for the performance of robotic tasks, such as manipulation in the outdoor environment remains a challenging problem.

While commercially available solutions such as ASA-LIFT are available for specific tasks and crops, and for operation in specific conditions, the systems are either not cost effective and or physically unsuitable for specific farming conditions and practices.

This research proposed to develop a mobile robot system with flexibility to adapt and with intelligence to cope with natural variability; through a two-fold aim utilising vision for navigation and manipulation. This talk discussed some of the recent developments on these aspects.

In particular, the talk focused on a novel approach that analyses point cloud information from a time-of-flight (ToF) camera to identify the location of foremost spring onions along the crop bed, for the intention of robotic manipulation. The process uses a combination of 2D image processing on the amplitude data, as well as 3D spatial analysis, extracted from the camera to locate the desired object.

Whilst the experimental results demonstrated the robustness of this approach, further testing was required to determine the ability of a system to cope with different scenarios that exist in the naturally varying environment.

For validation, the vision system was integrated with a robotic manipulation system and initial results of the investigation were presented.

AgTech, Automation, Precision Agriculture

Digital Agriculture – Challenges and Risks

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Associated Technologies Including Robotics

TristanPerez1

 

Tristan Perez, Queensland University of Technology

 

There is big hype at the moment about big data, big-data analytics, machine learning, artificial intelligence, and robotics. Some of these terms are starting to make it into agriculture, especially when we consider the potential impact of data flows from an integrated value chain.

There is little doubt that the judicious application of some of these concepts and associated technologies will be transformational to the agricultural industry. However, there are also some risks.

In this talk, I  attempted to define some of the terms above using simple examples within the agricultural context and discuss how the associated technologies including robotics could be applied.

I  also highlighted the challenges and risks associated with generating and using data without appropriate regard for the underlying management problems we seek to address.