Seeing more leads to knowing more leads to planting perfection--Tiffany Sanders

The 20/20 SeedSense has helped so many growers make more money that we want to make it easy for you to put the system to the test. Last year 98.6% of users said they would recommend it to their friends and neighbors. Now you can use the system with no risk. Just purchase the system through your Precision Planting dealer. Use it through the season and, if it doesn't make you money, you can return it for a full refund of the equipment purchase price. Just return the system to us by May 22. To find out more about this go to www.precisionplanting.com

Waste Not- Tiffany Sanders

This article is about how this farmer is using paper to bed his farm of pigs. he is using paper that has been turned in to the recycling. The farmer then beds his farm with about 1000 pounds of paper a day. The paper is then cleaned from the barns once a week and then adds coffee grounds and yard waste to make organic matter for the future. This is one way to give back and not to waste what this earth has given to us.
to find out more about this article visit ourohio.org

Caffeine addicts REJOICE--Bethany Swinehart

The genes in coffee have been identified that make good coffee good and bad coffee, well bad. The good part of the coffee is the sucrose levels. They are controlled by either the SUS1 or the SUS2 gene. This gene's expression is affected by the ripening and the picking of the product. For one reason this is determined is because certain blends of coffee beans are more bitter than others. This is due to the metabolism of a certain sugar during the growth and maturation of the bean.

Invasive Species--Bethany Swinehart

Invasive species are a growing problem for countries across the globe. The problem is that a species thats invading an area has no real natural predators and therefore take over and squelch the native species into non-existence. There is research being done in Australia to predict where these species of plants and animals will move next. The research is also a part of determining which weeds , insects, and animals are becoming feral or overtaking an area.

sun powered train--Bethany Swinehart

Growing up I was taught that trains were first run by steam, then by burning coal and fuels like everyday cars. Now there is research and designing being done to create a train that runs on two tracks like a typical train of today does. However there would be solar panels attached to a roof over the train to harness the ever abundant sunlight of the Arizona skies. The hope is that the train will be running by 2018 and adding more stops as the development continues. The estimates are that a trip from Tucson to Phoenix will take approx. 30 minutes.

safe three wheelers--Bethany Swinehart

Current technologies and studies in Asian countries like China and Thailand, are leaning towards a vehicle that is safe for not only the passengers but the pedestrians around it. The Spira is just that, a foam bodied three wheeler that is road worthy and people safe. Weighing in at just over 300 pounds the Spira is durable enough to protect the passengers but soft enough to protect any pedestrians that get in the path of this giant sized twinkie mobile. The really cool thing about the Spira is that it is able to float with the passengers in it! With all of this could it really get any better, well it is fuel efficient with over 100 mpg!

amphibious 3-wheelers--Bethany Swinehart

A new invention for travel in Asia, are foam bodied three wheelers. They are safe in a collision and better yet the foam allows them to float. Their light weight bodies allow them to be fuel efficient but the foam has such a large volume and abundance that they are protective. It weighs around 300 pounds and surpasses 100 mpg. One reason these automobiles are being tested in Asia and Thailand is due to the dense populations in their cities. These mobiles are being designed so not only the occupants are safe but also the pedestrians.

Larissa Hileman~ Mega Yields with Twin-Row Planting

Twin-row corn and soybean planting is on course to achieve our expectations. We believe corn yields in excess of 300 bu/A and soybean yields in excess of 85 bu/A are well within our reach and will happen shortly. Not only will we reach these levels, but they will also be achieved profitably and with no adverse environmental impact. Most noticeable about twinrow planting has been stalk quality. It appears that with greater use of sunlight from uniform plant spacing, the stalks are substantially larger than conventionally planted corn and that the twin-row plants grow faster. Another observation was that 95 percent of the corn plants in the corn/soybean strips developed a second ear.Yield experiences so far have put those systems at 235 to 280 bu/A of corn, which is 60 to 80 bu/A better than 10-year averages on farms.

For more information, http://www.fluidfertilizer.com/PastArt/pdf/42P14-15.pdf

Also to watch a video on twin-row planters: http://www.greatplainsmfg.com/products/planter/ypvideotwinrow.html

Nicole Pleiman Easier to do one big one :)

The biodiesel plant in Danville, owned by Blackhawk Biofuels, LLC boost America’s energy independence, keep people working, and spur economic development throughout east central Illinois.” “This project spurs economic development and energy leadership.”
Blackhawk Biofuels will partner with Renewable Energy Group to operate the facility. leading biodiesel producer and marketer, will operate the Danville facility and market the plant’s biodiesel. “Upgrades to the facility will further enhance the plant’s market advantages.”

http://www.il-fa.com/news/GOV_DCEO_Blackhawk_biofuel_opening.pdf

Even with a declining economy, the used combine market is still higher than previous years. Last year’s market was on the high side and this year’s market has declined. Looking at the provided tables, you can see that prices have been high the past few years in the combine market.

http://www.agriculture.com/ag/story.jhtml?storyid=/templatedata/ag/story/data/1244135566147.xml

The EPA has issued a proposal using indirect land use claiming a larger carbon footprint from the increased production of ethanol. State Representatives are trying to keep the proposal from making it to the floor.

http://www.agriculture.com/ag/story.jhtml?storyid=/templatedata/ag/story/data/1244148561254.xml#continue

This article illustrates the hard to tell truths that we simply seem to ignore. It depicts the short falls of the government and also the ways in which we lie to ourselves. In this article, you realize that sometimes the best policy isn’t always so pretty.

http://www.agriculture.com/ag/story.jhtml?storyid=/templatedata/ag/story/data/1243365080298.xml

Twitter, Blogs, Online Forums, and Wikis [Tara Milliken]

I know we've mentioned a lot of these in class, but we haven't went into elaborate detail about any of them . . . and so, in an effort to better understand some of these myself, here is my attempt to explain each of the following: Wikis, Online Forums, Blogs, and Twitter.

I would be willing to guarantee that each of us has used Wikipedia at some point in our life, and in fact, the majority of my definitions for this blog will probably come from there, but do we actually understand what it is? A wiki is defined as a website that uses wiki software, allowing the easy creation and editing of any number of interlinked web pages. They are most often used to create collaborative websites and to power community websites. A fun fact is that "wiki" is the Hawaiian word for "fast," and can also be expanded to stand for "What I Know Is." Pretty cool, huh?

Online forums, or message boards, are considered online discussion sites. Think of it as a modern equivlent to the traditional bulletin board. These forums are considered web applications managing user-generated content. People participating in Internet forums may cultivate social bonds and interests groups for a specific topic of interest.

I included blogs as a joke . . . I mean, seriously, if you are unsure as to what it is by now (i.e. week ten), we have much bigger problems to worry about. haha.

Twitter is a free social networking and micro-blogging service that enables its users to send and read other users' updates, know as 'tweets.' In February 2009, a researcher listed Twitter as the 3rd most utilized social network, with Facebook being the first, and MySpace coming in at number 2. Amazingly enough, this was only created in 2006 -- talk about a boom in popularity.

Take Action, Before It's Too Late [Tara Milliken]

So, I'm not exactly sure if any of this would constitute as new agricultural-related technology, but I do classify it as something that will have a direct impact on each of us, and the more knowledgeable we are, the better off our industry will be in the future. The Humane Society of the United States (HSUS) has decided to target Ohio as their next state in the battle of animal rights. If we do not want to end up in a similar situation as California with Proposition 2, our best bet is to start getting the word out now. I recently discovered some websites that are, in my opinion, excellent resources for promoting voter awareness prior to voting on major animal agricutural issues. The experts are saying that this will be the biggest issue the Ohio agriculture has ever had to face, so as students in the college, I believe it is our duty to at least work to present the public with accurate information. Technology has both worked to help and hurt the livestock industries in past years, with advancements of both concealed cameras and computers, information (whether accurate or innaccurate) is made available significantly more rapidly than ever before. And so, with this technology, there are now multiple websites that are working to shed light on these issues . . . they are listed below for you to browse and hopefully utilize in the future:

The Ohio Livestock Coalition http://www.ohiolivestock.org/index.html

Consumer Freedom http://www.consumerfreedom.com/

Farmers and Computers- Andrea Tholen

The Hathaway family uses computers on their farm. Kim Hathaway describes the system. "It's a database system that we can use to go to the board of trades. We can go down and see what corn is trading for right now. We just got the upgrade system about three years ago that has the weather." The farmer's can use computers to get information on farm markets, weather, and other informaiton useful to them about farming. Researchers are currently working on incorporating more technology through computers into farming, and there should be many more technological advances in the near future wtih our world becoming so based around computers and technology.

computers

Television and Farming- Andrea Tholen

Precision farming is one new technological development in agriculture, with this new creation they can pinpoint a farmer's location while in a field. It is similar to the way some television stations use satellite signals to send television waves. Television satellite dishes receive a signal from a satellite in space and transform it into the television show you watch. Farmers use an antenna to receive a signal from a satellite in space. The antenna is connected to a computer on the farmer's combine. The computer uses satellite signal to tell the farmer exactly where the combine is in the field. Precision farming allows the farmer to farm more efficiently and precisely.

TV Farming

One Plant Made Infamous By Comics-Emily Spahr

This is a little different, not exactly agriculture related, but more along the lines of botany.

We've at some point in at least the past year, if not longer have been exposed to this crazy villain who's only goal in life is to make people laugh. Well not exactly, but he'll leave you with a smile plastered on your face. I hope I haven't stumped anyone- I'm referring to the Joker, Batman's arch enemy, who's been immortalized in the comics for his trademark poison which leaves a smile on the face of his victims. Scientists have recently discovered that such a toxin really does exist and has been used as a means for euthanasia, execution, and suicide for thousands of years. The plant,Hemlock water-dropwart grows in Sardinia, along the Mediterranean, and unlike other poisons which are bitter, is instead appeasing to the taste buds, causing many to not suspect the worst until it is too late.

The Joker would have loved to get his hands on something like this, however scientists have a different plan in mind for this toxin- botox. In the same way the toxin carves a smile on the victims face, researchers hope to develop a safe form to use as a botox treatment. Let's hope it doesn't form laugh lines around it's victims-I mean patients mouths.

http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2009/06/090602-smiling-death-potion.html

New technology for horse foot wear- Joe Zimmerman

Horse lovers have been spending more time shoe shopping, but not for themselves. They have been for their horses. With new technology that has come about, there are different replacements for the old horseshoes. Horseshoes have gone through a number of changes in the last 10 years. This has been a long process as thousands of high-tech alternatives have been studied. The material that is being used in the new shoes, not only have a longer life time, but help to cushion the horse's foot too. Horses are now also able to spend days in the pasture barefoot. These shoes are being seen as away that allows for the shoes to be off, but when they are on they help to grow a strong, healthy foot.

Online Classrooms, More Than An Easy A- Emily Spahr

We've become so accustomed to online classes that sometimes it seems we take it for granted. But for some, it's their only mode of learning. With the war in Iraq and Afghanistan, young students who have been displaced from their home- some even loosing their home completely, are finding online classrooms the only way to connect to their teachers, and fellow peers, all while still making progress toward a degree. In addition to this, schools in places like India are finding it easier to reach students via an Internet connection versus face to face contact.
While this seems like an easy class, and an easy way to connect with others, there are still downfalls, especially when dealing with third world countries. It can be difficult to place a computer in the hands of the students, especially in the most remote of areas. Add on top of that the possibility that there may not be a viable Internet connection. However, we are increasingly seeing people overcome such challenges to quench their thirst for knowledge.
http://www.newsweek.com/id/174539

Farming in the Sky- Joe Zimmerman

As we all know, the worlds population continues to grow while land used for food continues to decrease. The choices that we have are that we need to rethink how we grow food, or starve.

The idea of tranplanting farms into city skycrapes continues to be talked about more and more. Doing this would use soil-free hydroponic farming to slash demand for energy and would produce more food. Farming on top of skyscrapers would also free up farmland and trees would not have to be removed. One of the biggest benefits of vertical farming would be that we would be able to grow food near where it would be eaten. This would help to cut both cost and emissions of transportation.

Sharp PG-D4010X ~ Larissa Hileman

The Sharp PG-D4010 can project an image to a class, the advantage this projector has over many others is that the image is very bright and can be projected in a fully lit classroom.Pros: This projector is lightweight (only about 12 pounds), has a bright image at 4200 ANSI lumens, and has front access to bulb for easy replacement. The economy mode bulb can last up to 3000 hours. It features 1080p high-definition output. The lens is offset from the center for easy mounting. Controls are easy to navigate.

Overall evaluation: Even though this projector is more expensive than some other projectors, that extra brightness of the image and the almost 1000 hours addition bulb life make it a good value. Also the replacement lamps for this projector run about $500, where many of its lower-priced competitors replacement lamps run as much as $800.Price: MSRP $2,495 Street Price $1,749

New Holland H5270 Tedder

In the haymakers race against rain, a New Holland H5270 six-roter, pull-type tedder provides the edge by fluffing heavy, damp crop and distributing it evenly for faster drydown. The new H5270 tedder has a large tedding width for high-capacity haying, yet easily folds to a convenient size for transport.

The H5270’s broad, 25’ 7” tedding width covers fields fast to boost haymaking productivity. Durability is built in with larger tires, heavy rotor gearboxes, and a heavy-duty frame. The tedder features six heavy-duty rotors, each with seven vertical tine arms, which provide reliable tedding at fast speeds.

The fully-articulated frame hugs ground contours so tines handle the entire crop without mixing soil into the hay. The hydraulic lift makes it easy to raise and lower the tedder from the tractor. A handy crank allows the operator to fine-tune the tine height in seconds without tools. The tedder folds hydraulically and can be conveniently changed from the 27’ 7” overall working position width to a narrow 9’ 10” transport width without leaving the tractor seat. A safety hitch chain and transport lighting are included as standard equipment.
A 35 PTO-hp tractor is the minimum required to operate the H5270 tedder.

PASCO EcoZone- Brandy Brinson

EcoZone by PASCO allows the once qualitative study of ecosystems to become qualitative.The three chambers can each hold a separate ecosystem and can be interconnected or separate. The systems are completely closed off, so no outside influences can effect the data from the inclosed environment. With the three chambers conneted students can study the interaction of three different ecosystems, or the chambers can be disconnected to allow the study of individual ecosystems. Openings in the chambers allow water, air and ions to circulate through the ecosystems.