1. Precisely What Alabama Livestock And Forage
Producers Needed
Kelley,*W.K.1, Colquitt, R.W.2, Elmore, J.B.3, Farrior, O.F.4, Norwood, S.H.5, Wiggins, A.G.6, Winstead, A.T.7
1Regional Extension Agent, The Alabama Cooperative Extension system, Mobile, AL 36608
2County Extension Coordinator, The Alabama Cooperative Extension System, Columbiana, AL 36051
3Advison III, Natural Resources Program, The Alabama Cooperative Extension System, Clanton, AL 35045
4County Extension Coordinator (Retired), The Alabama Cooperative Extension System, Brewton, AL 36426
5Multi‐County Extension Agent, The Alabama Cooperative Extension System, Belle Mina, AL 35615
6Regional Extension Agent, The Alabama Cooperative Extension System, Monroeville, AL 36460
7Regional Extension Agent, The Alabama Cooperative Extension System, Belle Mina, AL 35615
Abstract
Educators recognized a critical need for Alabama Livestock producers to use available technologies to improve profitability during a period of economic turbulence. Precision agriculture has been used extensively in row cropping
situations in Alabama for several years. However, livestock producers have been reluctant to adopt the technologies. Educators used grant monies obtained through the Alabama Cattlemen’s Association and the Alabama 50 Cent
check off program to purchase two portable GPS units. The units were made available to three producers to use at no cost. Producers used the units during all applicable farm operations. Producer acceptance of the technologies
was extremely positive. A video was filmed which featured testimonials from each of the producers. This video was used in several educational presentations and posted on the social networking site “YouTube”. A field day was held
at the Letohatchee Alabama Stockyard. A livestock track was also planned and implemented for the 2009 Precision Ag & Fields Crop Conference.
Educational Objective Education +Outreach = Extension
GPS guidance systems have rapidly gained in popularity among Alabama producers. Reduction in
application overlap with the use of these systems has been estimated as much as 8 5% in row crop
8.5%
On the Farm In the Classroom On the Internet
situations. In pasture and forage production overlap is expected to be reduced a comparable amount or
more given the absence of a row pattern to aid applicators.
The Livestock Guidance Project, funded by an Alabama Beef $.50 Check off grant, provided guidance
systems for use by Alabama cattle and forage producers. The demonstration program provides an
‐” The Alabama Cattlemen’s
avenue to introduce precision guidance technologies and allows growers the opportunity to utilize and Association would like to thank you
evaluate guidance systems in their production operation. The project also provides an opportunity to and Josh Elmore for your work in
gather much needed data concerning the use of precision guidance technologies in pasture and forage cooperation with cattlemen and
situations. auction market operators in Alabama
p
Educational Objectives included 1) Increase Alabama Livestock and Forage producer awareness of to demonstrate and publicize the use
precision agriculture, 2) educate and assist key livestock and forage producers in incorporation of of GPS technology on cattle farms and
precision agriculture technologies into their production practices, 3) disseminate precision agriculture ranches in Alabama.
We are proud to see positive and
principles and practices to all Alabama livestock and forage producers through the use of testimonials impactful projects like this being
from key producers, 4) educate Alabama livestock and forage producers through a series of educational carried out using funds delivered
meetings and events which highlight successful use of precision agriculture by key producers and through the Alabama 50 cent State
potential uses of precision agriculture by all livestock and forage producers, and 5) educate regional, Beef Check off Program. Thanks again;
national and international livestock and forage producers on precision agriculture technologies through we look forward to working with you
production of educational programming posted on popular social networking sites.
d ti f d ti l i t d l i l t ki it both in the future. – Reid Blossom,
both in the future ” – Reid Blossom
Director of Industry Relations,
Alabama Cattlemen’s Association.
Program Activities
Program activities began with the acquisition of funds to purchase 2 Trimble EZ‐Guide 250 guidance Program Evaluation
systems and to provide travel funds for agents. Agents placed the units on three different farms. ‐“ The GPS standardized our application rate by keeping the same pattern for each operator and eliminated the operator fatigue
Producers were encouraged to use the systems in as many aspects of their production systems as caused by the concentration required keeping track of where you are in the field visually. There is definitely a cost saving with the
GPS unit when you are buying litter. A GPS guidance system will be a part of our operation.” – Chuck Madaris
possible. Producers reported minimum difficulty in learning to operate the system.
‐“My overlap was Decreased close to 15%”‐ Bill Honeycutt
Figure 1 Figure 2 Figure 1. Progressive producers received training on proper use of
guidance systems. Certified Animal Waste Vendor Robby Nichols Evaluation of program participants indicated that each producer who had used the demonstration
receives training from Regional Extension Agent Ken Kelley. units would in fact purchase their own personal unit. Evaluation of field day and production
meeting participants indicated that many were interested in incorporating these technologies into
Figure 2. Producers are trained to use software associated with
guidance systems. Nichols, Kelley, and Regional Extension Agent their situation.
Anthony Wiggins review coverage data from guidance system.
Impact
Producers learned to use data obtained from the units. This data was well received by producers and by Data from the Alabama Farm Analysis Association shows average per year expenses directly
clients of these producers. Data was invaluable both in demonstration of need for the system, and in
clients of these producers Data was invaluable both in demonstration of need for the system and in associated with soil fertility, pesticides, and seed for Alabama Cow‐Calf producers to be $163.79
demonstration of efficiency of the technology to clientele. per acre for 2009. Precision agriculture (using a conservative 10% average savings) would,
therefore save producers approximately $17 per acre per year. The 2008 Alabama State
Figure 3
Figure 3. Data generated by the GPS technologies was very well received by producers. Nichols (Figure 1, Figure 2) Agriculture Overview shows forage‐land used for all hay and haylage, grass silage, and greenchop
used as‐applied coverage maps (Figure 3) to verify coverage to his customers. The summary reports and maps, which to be 883,196 acres. Therefore, total potential state savings could potentially be over $15,000,000.
show both coverage and overlap, were extremely popular with customers of his custom application operation. There
was other data made available to producers and customers such as elevation maps and event reports which included Conservative adoption rates of 15% are perceivable, with potential savings for state forage
items such as total time of application, coverage area, and environmental conditions. producers of over $2,000,000.