Using SMS Advanced for on Farm Research Trials.

Conducting on farm research can be challenging and time consuming.  Many farmers are interested in conducting research on their farm, but may not have the time necessary to devote to traditional methods of setting up plots and executing them.  In this research project, we put to use some of the technology farmers have at their fingertips to make plot work easier and quicker for them to do. 

Fungicide and fertilizer trials were established on three wheat fields in Michigan in spring 2016.  All applications were made with self-propelled sprayers equipped with GPS with RTK correction.  SMS Advanced (Ag Leader) software was used to create prescription maps, they were uploaded to the sprayer controller and farmers simply drove the field.  Following the prescription, the sprayer automatically adjusted rates on the fly as they travelled from one plot to the next.  Sprayer coverage maps and yield monitor files were uploaded into SMS Advanced and analyzed for yield and moisture.

Farmers found this use of the technology they already have to be very beneficial to them and the participants indicated they would participate in research of this type in the future on their farm.  The biggest benefits they reported included: 1. Reduced time requirement to execute plot, 2. No need to flag or mark out the field, 3. Plots were harvested on the fly with the rest of the field.  This research project also helped identify some key items to address in designing future research plots including 1. Determining minimum research plot size, 2. Assessing the accuracy of correction signals/GPS equipment, and 3. Early troubleshooting to ensure monitors were set up properly and able to load prescriptions.