By Scout Nelson
Early on a cool September morning, Josh Payne, a farmer in Concordia, Kansas, opens the gate to his flock, allowing about a thousand sheep to graze on fresh grass. Meanwhile, Kansas State University (K-State) agronomists are revolutionizing the way farmers access crop data. By leveraging digital technology, K-State has made over 40 years of crop information instantly available to farmers through their phones or home computers.
According to cropping systems agronomist Ignacio Ciampitti, this advancement allows yields and other essential information to be accessible within hours of harvesting crops. “Farmers make decisions about what (crop) hybrids to plant next year during or right after this year’s harvest,” Ciampitti explained.
Traditionally, K-State’s research findings would take two to three months to be published in print, causing delays in farmers’ decision-making processes.
To address this, K-State has created a website called Analysis and Visualization of Crop Yield Trials, or AVYield. This platform compiles crop performance tests and other valuable data into formats that are easy for farmers to understand. “Farmers don’t want to see an Excel (spreadsheet) file,” Ciampitti noted. “They want to know which hybrid yields the most in their area.”
Jane Lingenfelser, an assistant agronomist, emphasizes the importance of providing farmers with the right tools to make informed decisions about crop varieties. “Until now, we haven’t provided the tools for them to fully do that,” she said.
The K-State database offers access to data for various crops, including canola, corn, sorghum, soybean, sunflower, and wheat. With just a few clicks, farmers can view information categorized by crop variety, production methods (rainfed vs. irrigated), and geographic location. “It might be one of the most comprehensive overviews of production agriculture in any state, and it is available at no cost to producers and researchers,” Lingenfelser stated.
This new tool not only assists farmers in selecting crops but also addresses broader issues such as water rights, climate trends, and agricultural insurance policies. Mike Stamm, a K-State canola breeder, has also made results from the National Winter Canola Variety Trials available through this platform.
With funding from Kansas Corn, AVYield was introduced in late September during Celebrate Ag Day at K-State’s home football game. “We are one of the first groups in the country to introduce these types of tools,” Ciampitti said.
With this tool, farmers can now make timely decisions based on accurate and visualized research information, enhancing their farming practices and productivity.
Photo Credit:kansas-state-university
Categories: Kansas