An experiment was initiated to quantify soil water use of a wheat cover crop planted at two densities and grown during winter and spring. Three rates of RoundupÔ using different nozzle configurations on two termination dates were applied to wheat with the precision spray/tillage tool. Wheat termination and final cotton yields showed excellent results at 8 oz. RoundupÔ/acre compared to the traditional rate of 24 oz./acre, Table 4.

        Row-guidance aspects of the spray/tillage tool were utilized in a narrow-row cotton study where treatments were irrigated using the LEPA and spray irrigation methods. Drills of a wheat cover crop located within inches of future cotton rows were successfully terminated with 8 oz RoundupÔ/A.  A growth regulator was later applied to rows of cotton plants having the most direct access to supplemental irrigation water.  Plant height in these rows was maintained at less than 24 inches resulting in successful harvest with a broadcast cotton stripper.

Objective 5:  Establish an effective network for technology transfer through the AgriPartners program.

Due to the preliminary nature of this work, technology transfer through AgriPartners has not been attempted.

C.    Education/technology transfer:

• A summary report was written concerning activities and results of the 1997 Precision Farming initiative with Deere and Company. This report was also forwarded to Darren Gobel of Deere and Company.
• The Precision Agricultural Field Day was held at Halfway on October 13, 1997. The event was sponsored by TAES, TAEX, High Plains Underground Water Conservation District No. 1, High Plains Research Foundation, West Texas Agricultural Chemicals Institute, Texas Tech, Potash-Phosphate Institute, West Texas A&M, and USDA-ARS.
• Jim Bordovsky participated in the Cotton Incorporated precision farming working group at the NESPAL center in Tifton, Georgia where a brief summary of cotton related projects associated with the High Plains Precision Farming initiative at Lamesa and Halfway were presented.
• Jim Bordovsky and Doug Nesmith hosted the Delta Pine Land Company Sponsored Cotton Specialist Tour at Halfway on July 28. 1998. The tour included field stops and discussion of precision farming projects related to cotton.
• Doug Nesmith hosted the Plainview Chamber of Commerce Leadership Plainview class on Sept. 9, 1998. Precision farming research projects were toured and a DGPS demonstration given.
• Jim Bordovsky, Wayne Keeling, and Robert Lascano participated in the AG-CARES Precision Farming Tour on Sept. 14,1998 in Lamesa, TX.
• Jim Bordovsky, Wayne Keeling, and Robert Lascano participated in the Dawson County Field Tour and discussed precision farming activities at AG-CARES and Halfway on Sept. 15,1998 in Lamesa, TX.
• Doug Nesmith hosted the Plainview Chamber of Commerce Leadership Plainview class on Sept. 8, 1999. Jim Bordovsky discussed aspects of Precision Farming research projects being conducted at Halfway.
• Jim Bordovsky, Wayne Keeling, Kevin Bronson, and Robert Lascano participated in the annual Lamesa Cotton Growers Board of Directors farm tour at the AG-CARES facility on Sept. 13, 1999.
• Jim Bordovsky hosted a field tour for the Board of Directors of the High Plains Water Conservation District No. 1 on Sept. 14, 1999. Potential for site-specific applications of water and chemicals to improve overall water use efficiency was discussed.

D.    Milestones achieved

• March 1998 Row guidance device was first used in establishing cover crops for narrow row cotton study.
• Spring 1998 Three field tests were established to evaluate the proposed precision spray/tillage tool.
• April 1998 The variable rate control system was purchased and initial laboratory testing was begun.
• May 1998 Perennial weed locations were mapped using a reference grid in test area.
• Summer 1998 A spray system that provided very flexible nozzle positioning was constructed and mounted on the precision spray/tillage tool. The spray/tillage applications took place in appropriate test areas. Site-specific spray applications on perennial weeds were made using tool with manual spray control.
• August 1998 Weed location boundaries were re-referenced with DGPS. The elevations at all precision farming sampling sites at Halfway were geo-referenced. The DGPS spray control system was successfully used to control on/off spray operations using prescription maps in test areas.
• Sept. 1998 The DGPS spray tool was successfully used to apply directed herbicides to the perennial woollyleaf bursage and silverleaf nightshade in 9-acre cotton field.
• Jan. 1999 Laboratory testing and initial field evaluation of revised solution control system for the variable rate spray applicator was completed.
• Feb. 1999 Construction of crop canopy shields for the spray applicator was completed.
• Summer 1999 All site-specific spray applications in field experiments were made using appropriate applications maps with variable rate spray/tillage equipment.

E.    Publications:

None

F.    Precision Agriculture proposals submitted or funded:

Proposals Rejected:

• Faculty Research Development Program. Infrastructure Development, Variable rate and positioning equipment with field unit and transport trailer. $83,000. Nov. 17, 1997.
• Adaptation of Variable rate Irrigation and Chemigation Systems for the Central United States ($50,000, 2-yr) submitted to J. R. Simplot Company, Pocatello, Idaho, June, 1998.
• Precision Irrigation for Research and Demonstration ($40,000, 2-yr) submitted to J. R. Simplot Company, Pocatello, Idaho, June, 1998.
• Optimizing plant productivity using integrated crop management in a precision agriculture system. ($361,137, 3-yr) USDA/NRICEP. Archer, Lascano, Bronson, Segarra. (Bordovsky – Collaborator) 1999.
• Monitoring and control of perennial weeds in cotton using remote sensing and variable rate technology. ($5000, 1-yr) submitted to Resource 21. Bordovsky, Keeling, Bronson. 1999.
• Development of a position sensitive pesticide application system for center pivots. ($290,000, 2-yr) ARP/ATP. Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board. Rush and Bordovsky. 1999.

Proposals Funded:

• A proposal with the Cotton Incorporated State Support Committee for the evaluation of precision cultural practices to reduce soil surface evaporation losses in cotton has been approved with 1999 funding at $24,000. Bordovsky, Porter, Segarra.

G.    Precision Agriculture meetings attended/papers (posters) presented:

• Jim Bordovsky. High Plains Precision Farming Initiative at Lamesa and Halfway. Cotton Incorporated Precision Farming Workshop. NESPAL Center. Tifton, Georgia. Feb. 1998.
• John Sweeten, Charlie Rush, Thomas Marek, and Jim Bordovsky. High Plains Precision Farming Initiative. J. R. Simplot Co. Pocatello, Idaho May 1998.
• State Space Workshop, Dec.1-2, 1998, Lubbock, TX
• Bordovsky, Bronson, Keeling, Lascano. Beltwide Cotton Conferences, Jan. 4-7,1999, Orlando, FL
• Bordovsky. High Plains Association of Crop Consultants, March 2-3, Lubbock, TX
• Bordovsky, Sweeten, Marek. High Plains Precision Farming Initiative. Valmont Industries, Valley, Nebraska. March 29-30, 1999.

H.    Other Developments:

        Over the past two years, contacts were made with several companies and individuals working with variable-rate water application using center pivots. For various reasons, efforts to establish working relationships with these entities have not been successful. We will continue to pursue all available opportunities in this regard.