from the President€¦ · John Deere Quik-Knect™ John Deere LAFORGE DynaTrac Laforge Systems LLC...

from the President

One of the privileges ofserving as ASABEPresident is recogniz-ing the accomplish-

ments of our members. Inparticular, the AE50 Awardspresented in this issue ofResource, provide a yearlyforum for the Society to high-light advances in the broad fieldof ag and bio engineering. Theaward winners reflect thevisionary ideas of our members, so the AE50 Awards are agreat opportunity to publicize the impact that the ABE pro-fession has on global food, water, and energy systems.

Representing our Society at various events and interna-tional forums also allows me to serve as an ambassador forthe profession. I recently returned from San Jose, Costa Rica,where our ASABE delegation was hosted by our sister societyand the University of Costa Rica. ASABE sent our advanceteam to Costa Rica in preparation for hosting the 2021 GlobalEnergy Conference. (I encourage you to join us for this con-ference. Watch for further information later this year.)

The hospitality of our Costa Rican colleagues was out-standing. One of the highlights of the trip was meeting withthe Costa Rican Ministers for Science and Technology, and forEnergy and the Environment. In addition to discussing thelogistics of the Global Energy Conference, our delegation wasable to promote ASABE to these high-level administrators.

Wherever I travel as ASABE President, I’m humbled tosee the enthusiasm that our members have for our profession.Ag and bio engineers continually amaze me with the impactthat they are making on the world. However, a question often

arises when I talk with other ABE professionals: “Whatwould it take to educate others about the important contribu-tions of the ABE profession?” How can we best share ouraccomplishments with those outside of ASABE?

Every member I talk with, around the world, is enthusi-astic about our profession and has a great story to tell. Myview is that every member is a potential ambassador for ourprofession. We need to share this enthusiasm by telling ourstories to others. Just for fun, as an experiment, see how manypeople you can talk to in one day about the important work ofthe ABE profession: the bus driver, the mail carrier, youryoga teacher, your neighbors, and anybody else you talk with.Maybe we should hold a contest to find the most unlikely per-son to whom a member has promoted ASABE!

In addition to the enthusiasm that our members have,enrollment in undergraduate ABE programs is growing rap-idly, so every year we are producing more potential ambassa-dors. Do the math: If each member serves as an ambassadorfor ASABE, and the number of ag and bio engineers is grow-ing worldwide, then the number of people who know an agand bio engineer will grow at an increasing rate. I look for-ward to the day when everyone knows someone in the ABEprofession.

We celebrate the annual AE50 Award winners in thisissue of Resource. These winners are also ambassadors forour profession because they showcase the breadth and depthof the work that we do. Reading about the creative solutions,the practical technology, and the environmental stewardshiprepresented by our award winners will inspire you to go outand brag about our profession to everyone you meet.

Sue [email protected]

Publicizing the impact of ag and bio engineers

ASABE CONFERENCES AND INTERNATIONAL MEETINGSTo receive more information about ASABE conferences and meetings,call ASABE at 800-371-2723 or e-mail [email protected].

2020

Feb. 10-12 Agricultural Equipment Technology Conference(AETC). Louisville, Ky., USA.

July 12-15 ASABE Annual International Meeting. Omaha, Neb., USA.

Oct. 25-29 The 2nd ASABE Global EvapotranspirationSymposium. Nanjing, China.

Nov. 30- 6th Decennial National Irrigation Symposium.Dec. 4 San Antonio, Tex., USA.

2021

Feb. 8-10 Agricultural Equipment Technology Conference(AETC). Louisville, Ky., USA.

Jan. 10-15 Soil Erosion Research under a ChangingClimate. Aguadilla, Puerto Rico.

July 11-14 ASABE Annual International Meeting. Anaheim, Calif., USA.

ENDORSED EVENTS

2020

Feb. 24-26 The Indoor Agriculture Energy Solutions (IAES)Conference. La Jolla, Calif., USA.

Feb. 24-27 Phenome 2020. Tucson, Ariz., USA.

March 10-14 The International Fluid Power Exposition (IFPE).Las Vegas, Nev., USA.

events calendar

2 January/February 2020 RESOURCE

January/February 2020Vol. 27 No. 1

www.asabe.org/Resource

Magazine staff: Joseph C. Walker, Publisher,[email protected]; Melissa Miller, ManagingEditor, [email protected]; Sue Mitrovich,Contributing Editor, [email protected]; Glenn Laing, Technical Editor,[email protected]; Sandy Rutter, ConsultantsListings, [email protected]; Darrin Drollinger,Executive Director, [email protected].

Editorial Board: Chair Stephen Zahos,University of Illinois; Secretary/Vice Chair ErinWebb, Oak Ridge National Laboratory; PastChair Tony Grift, University of Illinois.

Board Members: Morgan Hayes, University ofKentucky; Deepak Kumar, University of Illinois;Sushant Mehan, Formation Environmental LLC;Gretchen Mosher, Iowa State University;Debabrata Sahoo, Woolpert Inc.; LeonSchumacher, University of Missouri; BrianSteward, Iowa State University; Shane Williams,Kuhn North America.

Resource: engineering and technology for asustainable world (ISSN 1076-3333)(USPS 009-560) is published six times peryear—January/February, March/April,May/June, July/August, September/October,November/December—by the AmericanSociety of Agricultural and BiologicalEngineers (ASABE), 2950 Niles Road,St. Joseph, MI 49085-9659, USA.

POSTMASTER: Send address changes toResource, 2950 Niles Road, St. Joseph, MI49085-9659, USA. Periodical postage is paid atSt. Joseph, MI, USA, and additional post offices.

ADVERTISING: www.asabe.org/advertise.

SUBSCRIPTIONS: Contact ASABE orderdepartment, 269-932-7004.

COPYRIGHT 2020 by American Society ofAgricultural and Biological Engineers.

Permission to reprint articles available onrequest. Reprints can be ordered in largequantities for a fee. Contact Sandy Rutter,269-932-7004. Statements in this publicationrepresent individual opinions.

Resource: engineering and technology for asustainable world and ASABE assume noresponsibility for statements and opinionsexpressed by contributors. Views advancedin the editorials are those of the contributorsand do not necessarily represent the officialposition of ASABE.

Think Green! The poly-bag protecting thismagazine can be recycled. Just toss it in with your other recycling.

ON THE COVER: Duy Hau (Holden) Truong, atechnician at the University ofMissouri, Columbia, captured thissorghum field on a sunnyOctober day.

American Society of Agriculturaland Biological Engineers2950 Niles RoadSt. Joseph, MI 49085-9659, USA269.429.0300, fax [email protected], www.asabe.org

engineering and technology for a sustainable world January/February 2020

FEATURES

17 Ag & Bio Ethics EssayCompetition Winner:The Ethics ofSustainable AgriculturalPracticesHannah Thomascall

21 VisualChallenge9

UPDATE

28 New screening tooldeveloped by Iowa StateUniversity researcherscan speed detection ofbovine tuberculosis

29 Farmer uses agriculturaltechnology to plantimage of popular K-State logo

30 Plastic water bottlesmay one day fly peoplecross-country

DEPARTMENTS

2 President’s Message Events Calendar

18 YPC News & Notes

19 Meet the Fellows

31 Professional Listings

4 2700/2750 PrecisionCut™ and E-Cut™ Hybrid Triplex Mowers

John Deere

Adaptive Lighting Controller Cadidus, Inc.

5 AXION 900 Series Tractors CLAAS of America Inc.

Case IH AFS Connect® Magnum™Tractor

CNH Industrial

Case IH Precision Air™ 5 Series Air Carts

Case IH

CLAAS 926 Series Corn Head CLAAS of America Inc.

6 CLAAS JAGUAR 900 SeriesHarvesters

CLAAS of America Inc.

CLAAS ORBIS 750 Forage Harvester Head

CLAAS of America Inc.

Cyclone Air System Controls Sukup Manufacturing Co.

Dura-ABS™ DI Automated DirectInjection

Dura Products

7 Fetch Communications Device RealmFive, Inc.

FieldNET Pivot Watch™ Lindsay Corporation

Flip State Sensor RealmFive, Inc.

Furrow Underground System RealmFive, Inc.

8 Fusion720 Xtractor Inline andSingle-Bale Combination Wrapper

Groupe Anderson Inc.

Grain Bin Door Safety Latch Sukup Manufacturing Co.

Ground Speed Management II New Holland

Intelligent Spray Control System Smart Guided Systems LLC

9 JAGUAR TERRA TRAC CLAAS of America Inc.

John Deere Quik-Knect™ John Deere

LAFORGE DynaTrac Laforge Systems LLC

Large Label V6 Sinclair Systems International

10 LEXION 8000/7000 Series Combines CLAAS of America Inc.

LS475 Liquid System John Deere

M & R Series Commercial Walk-Behind Mowers

John Deere

Microsystems Raw FoodPasteurization System

Microsystems First, Inc.

11 MowerPlus™ Smart Connector John Deere

MySukup.com Sukup Manufacturing Co.

N500C Series Air Drill John Deere

New Holland P-Series Air Carts New Holland Agriculture

12 Nexus Seat and TLS SuspensionSystem

Sears Seating

Optidisc® Elite Cutterbar Kuhn North America

OptiSense™ Belt Stall Indicator Kuhn North America

Paddle Sweepway Sukup Manufacturing Co.

13 Plant Stand Analyzer FieldRobo LLC

QJS-D Multiple Outlet Turret Nozzle Body

TeeJet Technologies

R216 SP Rotary Disc Header MacDon Industries Ltd

R5 Click RealmFive, Inc.

14 SideWinder Ultra New Holland

Sinclair EcoLabel® Sinclair Systems International LLC

SpotOn® Quantum PAR Light Meter Innoquest, Inc.

Tractor Implement Management (TIM) Agricultural Industry Electronics

Foundation (AEF) e.V.

15 U-Trough Extended Center Sump Sukup Manufacturing Co.

Valley GPS Guidance Valley Irrigation

Wind Tunnel in a Box™ Application Insight LLC

Wing Wheel System for Case IH EarlyRiser® 2160 Split-Row Large Front-Fold Planter

CNH Industrial

16 Woods® BH100 Groundbreaker®Backhoe

Woods Equipment Company

ZR5-1200 Self-Propelled Baler Vermeer Corporation

Index of Winners by Company

AE50 WINNERS

Resource magazine is pleased to sponsorthe AE50 Award program, celebrat-ing companies for their recentdevelopments in agricultural,

food, and biological systems. From themany entries submitted in 2019, an expertpanel selected the products, showcased onthe following pages, for recognition. Theaward-winning products are those rankedhighest in innovation, significant engineeringadvancement, and impact on the market served.

The products represent the diversity of agricul-tural and biological engineering, as well as the variety ofcompanies that continue to bring advanced technology andexciting innovations to the marketplace. This year’s AE50recipients join the ranks of many who have been honored fortheir ingenuity in product development—saving producerstime, costs, and labor, while improving user safety as well.

The AE50 Awards had their beginning in June 1984, in aspecial issue of ASABE’s Agricultural Engineering (nowResource), in which 25 new techniques, inventions, and inno-vations were showcased. The featured items were drawn fromproduct information solicited by the Society and screened by a

panel of engineers. From this focus on identifyinginnovative technology, two years later the AE50

Award program was born. As the announce-ment stated, “Acceptance in the marketplaceis the highest accolade any new agriculturalproduct can receive. But for innovativedevelopments in the last 12 months, a singu-lar honor is to be named one of the year’s

Agricultural Engineering 50 outstandinginnovations.” Product nominations poured in.

An enlisted panel of experts reviewed the entries,and in 1986 the first AE50 Awards were presented.

As Resource brings you the 33rd year of the AE50Awards, the interest in new technology and innovative appli-cations of existing technology remains constant. Over theyears, many award-winning products were patented and theirnames trademarked. Some were further improved as tech-nology advanced, and with time, won another AE50. But themost important yearly constant: all winning entrants contin-ually strive for excellence, and we are pleased to honor theirwork with the highest honor in the only awards program ofits kind. Congratulations to the winners!


2700/2750 PRECISIONCUT™ AND E-CUT™ HYBRID TRIPLEX MOWERSJohn DeereMoline, Illinois, USAwww.deere.comLabor is the biggest challenge facing the golf industry. The 2700/2750 PrecisionCut™ and E-Cut™ Hybrid solve this challenge byproviding cut quality, regardless of operator. The passcode-protected TechControl display allows supervisors to have bettercontrol of operator performance. Electronic frequency of clip,standard on all models and industry exclusive on thePrecisionCuts, ensures consistent results throughout the course.Smart, electronically-controlled engines feature Eco mode,which automatically reduces engine speed while mowing, savingup to 30% in fuel and 3 dB(A) in sound levels. A three axis liftsystem providesexcellent cuttingunit contourfollowing, and aninnovative CleanupPass Mode allowsfor crisp, accurateperimeter cuts. Theopen platformdesign features anew grass catcherfor easy installationand removal withsuperior retention.

ADAPTIVE LIGHTING CONTROLLERCadidus, Inc.Athens, Georgia, USAwww.candidus.usCandidus’ AdaptiveLighting Controller cancontrol third-partygreenhouse lights,including LEDs, high-pressure sodium, andmetal halide lights, toensure that the cropreceives the grower-determined amount oflight each day. Using alight sensor and aproprietary algorithm, theAdaptive LightingController determines how much supplemental light is neededat any particular time. The algorithm automatically providessupplemental light when the crop is best able to use that light,such as when little sunlight is available. The controller canprecisely control dimmable lights and turn non-dimmable lightson and off. Using an industrial microcontroller for computationsand communications, the controller is capable of controlling anythird-party lights, regardless of the type of signal required bythose lights.

CELEBRATING THE WINNERS

RESOURCE January/February 2020 5

AXION 900 SERIES TRACTORSCLAAS of America Inc.Omaha, Nebraska, USAwww.claas.comThe AXION 900 Series Tractors break the 400 enginehorsepower mark with no derate or boost logic, providing purepower for all applications. The AXION 900 Series ranges from320 to 440 rated engine horsepower, with 445 maximum enginehorsepower. The 8.7 L engine, coupled with a four-mode CVTtransmission and efficient PTO and final drives, provides up to91% of engine horsepower available at the PTO shaft for moreefficient use of power and fuel. Designed similar to the AXION800 Series, the straight-through PTO drive system provides themost efficient use of power for applications such as hay cutting,baling, forage chopping, feeding, manure spreading, and otherPTO-intensive uses.

CASE IH AFS CONNECT® MAGNUM™ TRACTORCNH IndustrialRacine, Wisconsin, USAwww.caseih.comThe Case IH AFS Connect® Magnum™ Tractor provides state-of-the-art electronic architecture with improved connectivity andnew in-cab features that producers need for high-performancefield operation. The new AFS Pro 1200 display allows operationof all tractor and implement applications and puts controlswithin easy reach at one convenient location. The new semi-active cab suspension and improved front axle suspensionprovide the operator with optimal ride comfort during longhours in the field. The redesigned cab interior provides extensivestorage space and power outlets, allowing operators to stayconnected through personal electronic devices. These and manyother features make the new Case IH AFS Connect® Magnum™one of the most comfortable and profitable high-horsepowerrow crop tractors available.

CASE IH PRECISION AIR™ 5 SERIES AIR CARTSCase IHRacine, Wisconsin, USAwww.caseih.comCase IH has introduced a Curve Compensation option for itsPrecision Air™ 5 Series Air Carts. This optional featureautomatically adjusts the seeding rate across the drill width todeliver more uniform seed distribution on both the inside andoutside of curves. This technology option independentlycontrols the individual electric motors of the AccuSectionmetering system on the air cart, as the tractor and seedingsystem travels through a curve. For example, if the drill is turningleft through a curve, the left side of the drill will haveproportionately reduced seeding rates, and the right side of thedrill will have proportionately increased seeding rates. This keepsthe overall seeding rate more consistent throughout the field,resulting in reduced weed pressure, reduced self-thinning, andultimately improving crop yield and potential profit.

CLAAS 926 SERIES CORN HEADCLAAS of America Inc.Omaha, Nebraska, USAwww.claas.comThese new cornheads include avariety of featurescompared toprevious models.Dual-sided deck-plate adjustmentensures that cornstalks remaincentered on theknife-rolls forconsistent feedingand minimal loss. Optional down-corn augers mounted on topof the end dividers prevent lodged stalks from hair-pinning onthe dividers, which would cause excess loss and requiredowntime to remove manually. The auger speed can beoptimized in-cab to quickly adapt to changing conditions.Optional tall-corn risers prevent lodged stalks from hanging upon the end dividers. More durable poly snouts with stainless-steel wear strips increase the operating life for reduceddowntime and repair costs. Additional autocontour sensorsimprove the speed and accuracy of the head’s terraincompensation. Finally, the main row unit gear boxes and non-greasable knife-roll bearings increase uptime by reducing thenumber of maintenance points.


CYCLONE AIR SYSTEM CONTROLSSukup Manufacturing Co.Sheffield, Iowa, USAwww.sukup.comThe Cyclone Air SystemControls are used tocontrol a pneumaticsystem that is movinggrain through a tube,most commonly from adryer to a cooling orstorage bin. The controlsystem uses sensors andalgorithms to maintain aconstant level of pressurein the pneumatic system,resulting in even grainflow, lower energy usage,higher grain quality, andreduced likelihood of aplugged tube. The automated system constantly adjusts thefactory-installed dynamic bleed valve or optional variable-frequency drive to optimize the air pressure and energy savings.If a plug occurs, the system can clear it automatically. TheCyclone Air System Controls are used with a dedicated touchscreen or with the touch screen of a Sukup dryer equipped withQuadraTouch Pro™ software. In either case, the system cancontrol up to five independent air systems and can operate eachsystem in automatic or manual mode.

DURA-ABS™ DI AUTOMATEDDIRECT INJECTIONDura ProductsArcadia, Indiana, USAwww.duraproducts.comThe Dura-ABS™ DI Automated Direct Injection is the newest andmost cost-effective system on the market today. The DI allowsthe operator to increase profitability by decreasing sprayer filltime by up to 80%. The Dura-ABS™ DI directly injects multiplechemicals simultaneously into the carrier flow. This reducesoperator error and herbicide exposure, in addition to providingrecirculation and eliminating cross-contamination. It also allowsthe operator to multi-task while accurately dispensingrepeatable batches. The Dura-ABS™ DI can reduce labor andmachinery costs by optimizing loading efficiency during narrowapplication windows, providing a return on investment in lessthan 9 sprayingdays. At less than$7,000, it is thebest solution forautomating thefilling process.

CLAAS ORBIS 750 FORAGE HARVESTER HEADCLAAS of America Inc.Omaha, Nebraska, USAwww.claas.comThe new CLAAS ORBIS 750 is a 10-row 7.5 m (25 ft) forageharvester head used to harvest an extremely diverse range ofcrops, including corn, milo, and sorghum. It features arevolutionary design using a pressed, hardened, and roundedmetal frame that allows the head to unfold into workingposition or fold into transport position in just 15 seconds. Thespecial design of its underside and its ability to adjust its tilt toremain parallel to the ground ensures short and even stubbleacross the entire working width. The crop stubble is consistent,clean, and shredded at the end for faster breakdown. Thecombination of large and small drums, with V-shaped crop flow,funnels the crop to the center for smooth feeding and excellentcrop quality. The very low starting torque makes for easystarting and can be engaged at full throttle.

CLAAS JAGUAR 900 SERIES HARVESTERSCLAAS of America Inc.Omaha, Nebraska, USAwww.claas.comThe new CLAAS JAGUAR 900 Series Harvesters have many newfeatures that represent advances in engineering. CEMOS AUTOPERFORMANCE is an automatic system that combines cruisecontrol with DYNAMIC POWER to give maximum output,when needed, while saving fuel when maximum output cannotbe achieved. Industry-only hydraulic pre-compression improveschop quality and also reduces vibration and noise in the cab.The new CEBIS with a touch screen is the most easy-to-usemonitor in the industry. In combination with the new armrestand CMotion handle, comfort can be achieved for 18-hour days.The AUTO FILL system tells operators where the spout is andcan adjust for windage during rear-filling so that the crop alwaysreaches the transport vehicle.


FETCH COMMUNICATIONS DEVICERealmFive, Inc.Lincoln, Nebraska, USAwww.realmfive.comThe Fetch communications deviceextends the range of in-field wirelessdevices, bridging the gap between in-field RealmFive LoRa end devices andLoRa-to-cellular gateway communicationsedge devices. Unlike a typical wirelessrepeater, Fetch acts as a gateway whileproviding store-and-forward capabilities. R5Core wireless does not require line-of-sightbetween devices. Users can install sensingdevices below the canopy, and Fetch willreceive and send data from miles away,even through dense foliage. Fetchstores and retransmits data at fullpower, making it especially effectivefor long-range data transmissioncompared to a simple repeater.When running on solar power,Fetch is ideal for remote, drop-in networks.

FIELDNET PIVOT WATCH™Lindsay CorporationOmaha, Nebraska, USAwww.lindsay.comFieldNET Pivot Watch™ is a universal remote irrigationmonitoring system that features a small self-contained telemetrydevice with sensors, GPS, and cellular communication, poweredonly by solar and a battery. This design makes it an ultra-lowcost, do-it-yourself installation that farmers can add to theircenter-pivot systems. FieldNET Pivot Watch removes the costbarriers that prevent many farmers from using pivot telemetry.The design requires no electrical connections and works on anypivot, including electric and hydraulic pivots. It is the most cost-effective and universal irrigation monitoring solution available.FieldNET Pivot Watch allows farmers and their agronomicadvisors to easily monitor pivot shutdown, travel direction,travel speed, water application amount, position in the field, andwater pressure.

FURROW UNDERGROUND SYSTEMRealmFive, Inc.Lincoln, Nebraska, USAwww.realmfive.comThe Furrow Underground System combines a soil moistureprobe with an underground wireless device. Prior solutions werelimited by radio technology and required abovegroundcomponents. RealmFive’s wireless technology allows a wirelessprobe to be completely buried, keeping all parts out of the wayof fieldwork, with no wires to trip over in vineyards and orchardsor get caught by machinery in row crops. The FurrowUnderground System saves substantial time during planting, asusers can install it ahead of time in the off-season. The patent-pending underground wireless device transmits data to an in-range gateway or store-and-forward fetch using RealmFive’s R5Core connectivity. Batteries power the system for five years. Thisburied soil monitoring system reduces recurring labor costs byminimizing sensor installation and removal each season.Furthermore, the sensors gather temperature, soil moisture, andelectrical connectivity data year-round, not just during thegrowing season.

FLIP STATE SENSORRealmFive, Inc.Lincoln, Nebraska, USAwww.realmfive.comThe Flip state sensor uses RealmFive’s vibration monitoringtechnology to identify when a machine is on or off. Uponinstallation, Flip adapts to a particular machine’s vibrationthreshold using a self-training protocol. Installation is extremelyquick and easy: first remove the battery pull tab, and thenmount Flip, magnetically, to the machine to be monitored. Inabout five minutes, Flip completes a series of verification stepsand self-training. Flip then wirelessly connects to an in-rangegateway, which sends data to the R5 Cloud. Users can set alertswhen the monitored machine changes state from on to off, orvice versa. A number of applications are envisioned for Flip,including monitoring of irrigation pumps and grain bin fans.


GROUND SPEED MANAGEMENT IINew HollandNew Holland, Pennsylvania, USAwww.newholland.comGround Speed Management was first introduced on theTG/T8000 tractors, where it brought CVT logic to power-shifttractors. Transmission shifting was based on a required forwardspeed target rather than an engine speed target, and the benefitwas considerable fuel savings. Ground Speed Management II is acontrol package that brings a new and intuitive feature to NewHolland T6 tractors equipped with the Dynamic Commandtransmission while maintaining the fundamental GSM target ofincreased efficiency. This second generation of Ground SpeedManagement introduces a vehicle operating interface and speedcontrol system similar to that used on the Auto Command™CVT, as well as interacting with key gearbox and engine featuresto achieve and maintain the operator’s requested speed at themost optimum operating point, reducing fuel consumption andimproving efficiency with significantly reduced operator input.

INTELLIGENT SPRAY CONTROL SYSTEMSmart Guided Systems LLCIndianapolis, Indiana, USASmartGuided.comThe Android tablet-based Smart-Apply® Intelligent SprayControl System™ was developed over the last ten years by theUSDA Agricultural Research Service and leading universities.Smart Guided Systems LLC has a five-year exclusive technologytransfer agreement for this LiDAR-based system and hascommercialized it. The Intelligent Spray Control System can beadapted to most models of air blast sprayers in less than eighthours. Published research reports have concluded that the

Intelligent SprayControl Systemprovides the followingperformanceimprovements whileproviding equal orbetter crop protection:47% to 73% reductionin spray consumption,40% to 87% reductionin spray loss beyondtree canopies, up to87% less airborne drift,and 68% to 93%reduction in spray losson the ground.

GRAIN BIN DOOR SAFETY LATCHSukup Manufacturing Co.Sheffield, Iowa USAwww.sukup.comThe Grain Bin Door Safety Latch prevents closing of a grain bin’souter door unless the inner load-bearing doors are properlyclosed. It is designed to protect persons near the outer doorfrom becoming buried by grain if the outer door is opened whileit is holding back grain. The inner doors, which are comprised oflocking panels, providestructural support for thebin and help bear the loadof grain. However, whenthe outer door is closed, itmay be difficult todetermine if the innerdoors are properly closed.There have been instancesof persons being injuredor killed by grain spillingout of the outer doorbecause the inner doorswere not properly closeddue by operator error, andthe outer door burstopen. The new Grain BinDoor Safety Latch ensuresproper closing of the load-bearing doors.

FUSION720 XTRACTOR INLINE ANDSINGLE-BALE COMBINATION WRAPPERGroupe Anderson Inc.Chesterville, Quebec, Canadawww.grpanderson.comThe Fusion720 Xtractor is a combination inline and single-balewrapper. This new wrapper consists of an inline bale wrapperwith modular mechanisms (retractable supporting rods, slidingand pivoting rollers, bale kicker, and more) that can wrap balesindividually, so the wrapping can be optimized according to theoperating factors (storage site, crop quantity, etc.). Individuallywrapped bales can serve as perfectly sealed ends for inline tubewraps, all with the same machine. The Fusion720 Xtractor canwrap up to 180 bales per hour in inline mode and up to 50 balesper hours individually. Both wrapping modes are fully automaticand are controlled with a new color display. The Fusion720Xtractor also features a plastic film cut-and-hold system, aplastic film andtensionershield, and thenew AndersonSmart-Startconcept toprevent balesfrom sliding onthe ground atthe beginningof a tube.


JAGUAR TERRA TRACCLAAS of America Inc.Omaha, Nebraska, USAwww.claas.comThe New CLAAS TERRA TRAC is the first OEM track system ona self-propelled forage harvester. This new series of forageharvesters was designed around the track system. The newtracks have a special hydraulic system for hay pickup andturning that pushes down on the center bogie wheels to createa wheel-like effect that does not scuff the stubble or damage theheadlands. The benefits of tracks include a better ride in roughterrain, faster ground speeds in furrow-irrigated fields, improvedhandling in muddy conditions, and less soil compaction. Therear tire is taller, and the tire inflation gives the machine a longflat footprint in the field. The frame was lengthened by threefeet to keep the turnability similar to that of a wheeled machine.

JOHN DEERE QUIK-KNECT™John DeereGrovetown, Georgia, USAwww.deere.comJohn Deere Quik-Knect™ addresses driveline attachability with asimplified and universal approach that can be used on PTOdrivelines and scaled to other power-driven units. Too often,operators must access a hard-to-reach area without visibilityand then hold back a locking collar and rotate the driveline. Thenovelty of John Deere Quik-Knect™ is its simplicity andcompatibility with a large range of products. John Deere Quik-Knect™ provides significant benefits for the coupling of PTO-driven implements, including no PTO spline alignment andhold-back requirements, automatic locking when the tractorPTO is engaged, integrated locking and coupling so that noexternal restraint is required, improved operator ergonomics,and increased operator safety. John Deere Quik-Knect™ iscompliantwith existingdrivelinestandards anddoes notrequiremodificationto existingshielding.

LARGE LABEL V6Sinclair Systems InternationalFresno, California, USAwww.sinclair-intl.comSinclair’s customized Large Label V6 labeling system is designedto label larger fruits and vegetables (cantaloupes, honeydews,watermelons, squash, etc.) that are conveyed at high speeds.This design is a modification to the current V6 single-lanesystem, which is typically used for labeling smaller produce likeapples, avocados, kiwifruit, etc. The modifications improve theV6 applicator to manage larger labels, and a new, scaled-upV6/RM6 cassette was developed to accommodate and dispensethe larger labels. Automation of the process means increasedproductivity and efficiency, less human interaction with theproduce for lower risk of contamination, and lower laborinvolvement andcost. The LargeLabel V6 includesfour new labelsizes, with thelargest being3 inches by2.4 inches. Themachine is capableof labelingcommodities atspeeds rangingfrom 120 to400fruits per minute.

LAFORGE DYNATRACLaforge Systems LLCCedar Falls, Iowa, USAwww.Laforgegroup.com/enLAFORGE DynaTrac is a universal guidance interface betweenthe tractor and an implement for three-point, two-point, andtrailed equipment. Tractor guidance using GPS has well-knownbenefits, and DynaTrac allows an implement to accurately trailthe tractor to fully leverage those benefits. DynaTrac addressestwo common scenarios when tractors operate with implements.In high-traction operations, such as tillage, the implement trailsquite well behind the tractor, but the tractor struggles to stayon the intended line of travel. In low-traction operations, suchas planting, the tractor follows the line easily, but the implementis unstable and deviates, even on flat ground. DynaTrac isapplicable to any type of row crop farming. It can also bebeneficial in situations where a consistent overlap is desired foroptimal efficiency and to limit environmental exposure.


M & R SERIES COMMERCIALWALK-BEHIND MOWERSJohn DeereMoline, Illinois, USAwww.deere.comThe all-new M & R Series Commercial Walk-Behind mowersoffer unsurpassed productivity and operator comfort. Improvedergonomic design of the steering controls includes recessedoperator presence levers during machine operation and spring-loaded neutral locks to reduce operator fatigue and support full-day mowing by professional landscape contractors. The R Seriesdelivers an industry-leading 8.5 inches of frame clearance,enabling these mowers to easily navigate over curbs withoutdamage to customer property or the mower. In addition,optimized weight distribution gives operators increasedmaneuverability over varying terrain. The ground speed was alsoincreased upto 7.5 mphwhilemaintainingcut quality,so moreacres perhour can bemowed inless time.

MICROSYSTEMS RAW FOODPASTEURIZATION SYSTEMMicrosystems First, Inc.Tallahassee, Florida, USAwww.microsystems.proThis system pasteurizesraw foods such as eggs,shellfish, fruits,vegetables, and meatsto diminish harmfulpathogens toundetectable levels.This is accomplishedwithout changing anyof the raw food’scharacteristics, sooysters remain alive,eggs are still raw (i.e., egg whites can be whipped), and tomatoesremain ripe and juicy with much higher lycopene content. Thistransformative technology allows consumers to enjoy theirfavorite raw foods with no concerns about Salmonella, E. coli,Vibrio, norovirus, or other unpleasant and possibly deadlyillnesses. The system is completely customizable for applicationsranging from the largest industrial users to local restaurants. It issafe and effective when used as directed and requires between 3to 8 minutes to process almost any food. With increasedincidences of foodborne illnesses, this technology is appropriatefor any food processing or service facility.

LS475 LIQUID SYSTEMJohn DeereMoline, Illinois, USAwww.deere.comThe LS475 is a versatile liquid application system capable ofapplying liquid nutrients and crop protection products. Thedual-pump application system provides the widest availableapplication range, a dedicated high-capacity filling system makesreloading efficient, and the widest factory-installed spray boomreduces working time in the field. Automated applicationcontrols and integrated dual-purpose boom plumbing improverinsing and reduce water consumption. The LS475 is fullyintegrated into the John Deere Operations Center for simplemanagement of prescriptions and application records. Mountingthe LS475 on the John Deere F4365 application vehicle providesa smooth ride and industry-leading transport speed. Thiscombination results in a superbly productive and efficientfloater.

LEXION 8000/7000 SERIES COMBINESCLAAS of America Inc.Omaha, Nebraska, USAwww.claas.comThe new LEXION 8000 and 7000 Series Combines have beenredesigned to increase productivity by 10% (over the previous700 Series) through the use of faster, more convenientchangeover between crops and conditions, greater throughputand grain handling capacity, and more powerful drive trainsystems with a standard 25 mph top speed on all models. Newin-cab controls allow the operator to shift between low andhigh speed ranges on both the threshing system and chopperfrom the safety and comfort of the cab, as well as separatelyvary the threshing area and separation area to match the cropand conditions more efficiently. These additional controlsenable the CEMOS AUTOMATIC combine optimization systemto autonomously optimize performance faster with moreaccurate results.


MOWERPLUS™ SMART CONNECTORJohn DeereMoline, Illinois, USAwww.deere.comThe MowerPlus™ Smart Connector is a compact device thatwirelessly transmits J1939 CAN data from select John DeereResidential Lawn Mowers to a mobile device. The smartconnector can communicate fuel level, battery level, and hourmeter information to the John Deere MowerPlus app for real-time and historical machine management.

MYSUKUP.COMSukup Manufacturing Co.Sheffield, Iowa, USAwww.Sukup.comMySukup.com is a new cloud-based platform for controllingSukup grain handling andstorage equipment. Users canset up a MySukup account tomonitor and operate theirgrain drying, moving, andstorage equipment fromanywhere using a smartphone or personal computer.Setup is easy and does notrequire advanced skills. Users can invite others to see equipmentstatus data and can set permissions appropriate for each user,ranging from view-only permission to permission to makechanges to all equipment and operating parameters. The systemcan also send user notifications on operating status or failure ofconnected devices. This allows prompt resetting or repair ofequipment, preventing situations that can become hazardous.Troubleshooting of operation problems is simplified inMySukup.com by allowing the sharing of data between thecustomer, dealer and, if needed, customer servicerepresentatives at Sukup Manufacturing Co.

NEW HOLLAND P-SERIES AIR CARTSNew Holland AgricultureNew Holland, Pennsylvania, USAagriculture1.newholland.com/nar/en-usThe New Holland P-Series Air Carts introduce an automaticleveling and agitation system for air carts equipped with afourth tank. Thisautomatic systemensures that fineseed or inoculant,or other productswith a smallparticle size,adequately coverthe meter rollersduring near-emptytank conditions.This smart systemuses a mechanicalleveling devicepowered by an electric motor, and bin level sensors toautomatically move the product in the needed direction. Thissystem uses software to control the device, alert the operator inthe cab, and automatically perform either as a leveler or foragitation when leveling is not required. The automatic featureprovides maximum productivity in situations when product isrunning low in the fourth tank, and it reduces the likelihood ofproduct bridging.

N500C SERIES AIR DRILLJohn DeereMoline, Illinois, USAwww.deere.comThe John Deere N500C Series Air Drill integrates the latest inseeding technology to provide small-grain producers the mostproductive, accurate, and smart seeding tool in the industry.Building on the 1990 CCS™ Air Drill, the N500C Air Drill wasdesigned to give operators easier meter access, a largercommodity tank, and the latest in integrated technology. TheN500C features electric-drive meters that offer improved seedpopulation controlin four sections, andvariable-rate seedingcapabilities withSectionCommand™.Optional tank scalesallow ActiveCal™ foron-the-go seedingcalibration from thecab. RelativeFlow™blockage offers row-to-row seedflow monitoring. TruSet™ allows operators to setopener downforce pressures from inside the cab as soilconditions change. The SeedPlus™ app allows calibration ofmeters, tank scale calibration, and weight monitoring of tankscales from a tablet or mobile device. ProSeries™ openers allowimproved seed placement accuracy with reduced maintenance.


OPTISENSE™ BELT STALL INDICATORKuhn North AmericaBrodhead, Wisconsin, USAwww.kuhn-usa.comThe OptiSense™ belt stall indicator on the new KUHN MergeMaxx® MM 890 continuous twin merger ensures maximumproductivity in hay merging operations. The new OptiSenseindicator alerts the operator if the merger belts begin to slow,helping prevent plugs and costly downtime. The exclusivesystem uses the ISOBUS monitor to alert the operator when themachine is reaching maximum capacity, and it will stop the beltsand pickups if a belt stalls. This reduces the amount of cropplugged in the machine, as well as reducing the possibility thatthe machine will be damaged as a result of a stalled belt. Thisinnovative feature helps even inexperienced users operate themerger at peak efficiency levels.

PADDLE SWEEPWAYSukup Manufacturing Co.Sheffield, Iowa, USAwww.sukup.comThe Paddle Sweepway is a grain bin sweep with an open headsection. The skeleton-like design allows grain to pass throughthe head section, which increases the speed of bin unloadingand reduces the likelihood of center sump plugging. Grain binsare emptied by first opening a center sump that allows grain toflow into an under-floor removal system, such as an auger orconveyor. Traditional paddle sweep head sections are coveredby metal plates that tend to block the flow of grain into thecenter sump, in some cases resulting in plugging, which can bevery costly and time-consuming to remedy. This new sweepcombines the open design of a traditional auger sweep with theincreased sweeping efficiency of a paddle sweep. Angled supportbars block and redirect grain clumps to the sides of the sweep,helping to keep the center sump open.

OPTIDISC® ELITE CUTTERBARKuhn North AmericaBrodhead, Wisconsin, USAwww.kuhn-usa.comWith a redesigned cutterbar profile and reduced height, theOptidisc® Elite cutterbar on KUHN disc mowers and mowerconditioners delivers outstanding performance to meetcustomer demands to harvest high-quality hay and forage.Building on the proven Optidisc cutterbar, this new cutterbarretains differential disc spacing, Protectadrive® disc bearingstations, and patented silent block cutterbar frame mounts. TheOptidisc Elite cutterbar features a narrower height, enablingshort cutting heights of 1.5 inches (40 mm) with a flat 2.5°cutterbar angle, reducing the amount of dirt and ash that can beincorporated into the windrow at steeper angles. The redesignedprofile also increases the area in which the free-rotating bladescut the crop, ensuring a clean cut even in the most challengingconditions.

NEXUS SEAT ANDTLS SUSPENSIONSYSTEMSears SeatingDavenport, Iowa, USAwww.searsseating.comThe Nexus Seat and TLSSuspension System iscomprised of a highlyscalable and configurableupper seat structurecombined with an advancedadjuster system and TLS(toggle link swing) airsuspension. Unique featuresinclude a seat structure thatallows multiple seat cushion widths and backrest heights, anoperator restraint system that is integrated into the structure, amodular adjuster and isolator system that provides a variety ofoption levels, easy-access suspension controls, and advanced TLSair suspension that uses swing toggle scissors to replace thetypical roller and track in the lower suspension structure forimproved performance, stability, and durability. The Nexus Seatalso provides advanced ride control options and internalmounting of an air reservoir for LSR/LNF (low spring rate/lownatural frequency) applications.


PLANT STAND ANALYZERFieldRobo LLCAmes, Iowa, USAPlant Stand Analyzer (PSA) is the world’s most accurate high-throughput plant stand mapping system for large-scale maizebreeding programs. PSA is a motorized 4-row or 8-row groundsystem that can produce a stand detection accuracy of 97% onaverage at travel speeds of up to 14 mph by using high-speedreflective laser proximity sensors. PSA works under any lightingconditions and offers a large operational time window thatspans from the V4 to the R1 growth stages of maize plants, aslong as the platform’s ground clearance permits. PSA countsplant stands in real-time, and with the use of its accompanyingmapper software, it can generate a rich set of georeferenced andplot-based data analytics, including population, interplantspacing, gap length, stalk size, stalk inclination angle, andnumber of doubles and tillers.

QJS-D MULTIPLE OUTLETTURRET NOZZLE BODYTeeJet TechnologiesWheaton, Illinois, USAwww.teejet.comThis turret-style nozzlebody fits within TeeJet’sQJS system of stackablenozzle bodies. Forinstallation of the turretnear the bottom drop, a dual checkvalve body was created byoverlapping two independent flowpassages. Additionally, this nozzle bodyfeatures two opposing outlets downstream of one check valve,which creates a fully reversible design. The complete assemblyincludes three new plastic parts: the QJS- D main body, the QJSturret body, and the QJS end cap. All of these parts can becombined with parts from TeeJet’s current QJS Series, such asQJS end bodies, QJS middle bodies, and QJS extender bodies.Due to the number of combinations available, the QJS Series is zrobust, customizable, and stackable nozzle body solution.

R5 CLICKRealmFive, Inc.Lincoln, Nebraska, USAwww.realmfive.comR5 Clickprovides acomprehensivetool formanaging anagriculturaloperation froma smart deviceor computerwith a single,unified app. R5Click usespatent-pendingCardView so users can navigate through previously disparatesensing devices and data in a single, geospatial platform. Userscan view historical and current data on a slide-out contextualmenu for a variety of sensors, including soil moisture, soiltemperature, rainfall, wind speed, wind direction, water level,equipment status, and center-pivot irrigation status. Users havefull control over their farms and fields, and R5 Click helpswireless system administrators proactively monitor device datalike battery health and device signal strength through theDevice Health dashboard. The default notifications andcustomizable alerts notify users of specific issues to help themmanage their operation efficiently and effectively.

R216 SP ROTARY DISC HEADERMacDon Industries LtdWinnipeg, Manitoba, Canadawww.macdon.com/en/MacDon has introduced the R216 SP, a new 16 ft rotary discheader for self-propelled windrowers. This header features thewidest conditioner rolls of any 16 ft self-propelled disc headeron the market at 129 inches (328 cm). Unique EvenFlow™header geometry eliminates internal augers and allows moreeven crop conditioning, especially in heavy conditions. Twoconditioning options are available: steel inter-meshing rolls thatare ideal for high-volume crops that require aggressive feeding,or polyurethane rolls that deliver a crimp/crush action to gentlycondition leaves and delicate stemmed crops. The product wasdesigned for all-around performance in cut quality, capacity, andwindrow formation. In-cab adjustment of the rear baffle allowsoperators toadjust thewidth of thewindrow onthe go, andconfigurabledisc rotationpatterns allowthe header tobe optimizedacross a widerange ofconditions.


SPOTON® QUANTUM PAR LIGHT METERInnoquest, Inc.Woodstock, Illinois, USAwww.innoquestinc.comThe SpotOn® Quantum PARLight Meter is a handheld meterfor quickly and accuratelyassessing the quantity of lightpresent for plant growth. Thismeter was specifically designedto work under both natural andartificial light sources, such asLEDs. Accurate measurement ofphotosynthetically activeradiation (PAR) has beenproblematic for some lightmeters under LED light sourcesdue to their narrow wave bands.The SpotOn® Quantum PARLight Meter has been designedto excel under LED light sourceswith an instant spotmeasurement mode, a scanmode for quickly averaging lightover an area, and a daily light integral (DLI) mode foraccumulation of 24-hour light totals when left in place. Themeter features a long battery life, water-resistant design, ispocket-sized for easy carrying, and includes an integralstake/stand for in-place DLI measurements.

TRACTOR IMPLEMENT MANAGEMENT (TIM)Agricultural Industry Electronics Foundation (AEF) e.V.Frankfurt, Hesse, Germanywww.aef-online.orgTractor Implement Management (TIM) is a cross-product andcross-manufacturer ISOBUS solution that allows an implement tocontrol certain tractor functions and optimize the work process.The implement sends information to the tractor via standardizedand secure communication, which leads to a new optimization ofthe overall system. The AEF has taken the basic idea of the ISOBUSClass 3 solution and made decisive progress with a newinfrastructure for secure communication. This standardizedsolution with digital certificates is the only way to ensuremanufacturer-independent cooperation between tractors andimplements for maximum brand flexibility. With TIM, growerswork more precisely, effectively, and economically whilesimultaneously increasing quality. Field operations become simplerand more convenient as TIM takes over tiring repetitive tasks.

SINCLAIR ECOLABEL®Sinclair Systems International LLCFresno, California, USAwww.sinclair-intl.comSinclair EcoLabel® is a food-safe, certified compostable freshproduce label. Sinclair EcoLabel meets EN13432, a Europeanstandard for compostable and biodegradable packaging. Tomeet this standard, four different tests need to be conductedby an accredited third party: heavy metal and fluorine analysis,biodegradation, disintegration, and plant toxicity analysis. Inaddition to meeting EN13432, Sinclair EcoLabel is certified byTUV Austria and holds OK compost Industrial and Seedlingcertification. Sinclair EcoLabel was designed to be compatiblewith Sinclair high-speed labeling equipment for use on avariety of fruits and vegetables, such as apples, kiwifruit, pears,peppers, tomatoes, etc., that are conveyed at high speeds onsizers and graders.

SIDEWINDER ULTRANew HollandNew Holland, Pennsylvania, USAagriculture.newholland.comThe SideWinder Ultra armrest is the third evolution of NewHolland’s SideWinder interface. It places all of the tractor’s keycontrols in a singlelogical location. Thecontrols are groupedfor easy identificationand for ergonomicreasons, where thedriver will be lookingwhile using thecontrols. Groupingsinclude engine andtransmission, three-point hitch limits,media, and climate control. A comprehensive number offunctions are located on the force-based multifunction handlefor precise control of the tractor’s speed and end-of-rowoperations. The SideWinder Ultra is a fully customizableoperator interface. Controls can be easily configured by choosingfunctions from a pick list on the armrest’s new IntelliView12 touch monitor. Hardware customization includes choosingbetween an advanced joystick or remote levers and positioningof the elbow pad. Third-party tablet or phone mounts can alsobe attached to the SideWinder Ultra.


U-TROUGH EXTENDED CENTER SUMPSukup Manufacturing Co.Sheffield, Iowa, USAwww.sukup.comThe U-Trough Extended Center Sump has sumps on both sidesof the gearbox that drives the sweep auger in a grain storage bin.Having a sump on both sides of the gearbox improves sweepperformance by collecting grain faster than traditional sumps,which have only one passageway from the center of the binfloor to the unload system below. Once the sweep reaches thebackside of the bin, it tends to pile grain around the top gearboxuntil it can flow into the sump. By placing a sump on thebackside of the gearbox, grain does not have to flow over oraround the gearbox to reach the sump, which significantlyimproves sweep performance.

VALLEY GPS GUIDANCEValley IrrigationRacine, Wisconsin, USAwww.caseih.comValley Irrigation has announced improvements to Valley GPSGuidance, providing growers with the latest advances incompetitive GPS corner technology. Valley GPS Guidance usespower line carriers (PLCs) to communicate RTK GPS correctionsignals. This technology improves the reliability ofcommunication with the corner and eliminates the need fordata radios. Built-in terrain compensation reduces over-steeringon rolling terrain or high ridges, resulting in straighter and moreconsistent wheel tracks for less crop damage. Valley GPSGuidance is compatible with all Valley control panels and cornermodels. It also easily retrofits into existing John Deere/NavComor Trimble multi-frequency or single-frequency systems.

WING WHEEL SYSTEM FOR CASE IH EARLY RISER®2160 SPLIT-ROW LARGE FRONT-FOLD PLANTERCNH IndustrialBurr Ridge, Illinois, USAwww.caseih.comThe Wing Wheel System for the Case IH Early Riser® 2160 Split-Row Large Front-Fold Planter is an industry-first feature thatmaintains continuous ground contact with the 47-row 15-inchplanter’s tandem wing wheels in both the planting andtransport positions. This allows greatly improved weightdistributionbetween thetractor drawbar,the planter wingwheels, and theplanter centersection carryingwheels duringroad transport,rather than havingall the weight on the tractor drawbar and planter center sectioncarrying wheels, as is typical with competitive 47-row 15-inchplanters. The significantly decreased weight on the tractordrawbar during transport reduces strain on both tractor andplanter, reduces or eliminates the need for heavy-duty tractordrawbar support, and generally improves road transportcharacteristics of the planter. Conversion from the planting totransport positions and back is accomplished from the comfortof the tractor cab with an in-cab display.

WIND TUNNEL IN A BOX™ Application Insight LLCLansing, Michigan, USAwww.applicationinsightllc.comThe Wind Tunnel in a Box™ is a portable spray demonstrationdevice that allows users to see real-scale, on-site, visual andtactile simulations of how wind affects the risk of spray drift.This is a critical issue as applicators struggle to maintain sprayefficiency without impacting neighboring crops and landscapes.The Wind Tunnel in a Box demonstrates different sprayapplication variables, such as nozzle type, boom height, windspeed, spray pressure, and even adjuvants. It can operatecontinuously or in timed mode for accurate comparisonsbetween treatments. It is large enough for groups of people toeasily view the demonstrations, and users can even enter thewindstream for a tactile experience. The device is portable, canbe transported easily in a van or pickup truck, and sets up in30 minutes.


Agricultural Industry Electronics Foundation AEF e.V.

Tractor Implement Management (TIM)

Application Insight LLCWind Tunnel in a Box™

Candidus, Inc.Adaptive Lighting Controller

Case IHCase IH Precision Air™ 5 Series Air Carts

CLAAS of America Inc.AXION 900 Series • CLAAS 926-Series Corn Head •CLAAS JAGUAR 900 Series • CLAAS ORBIS 750 •JAGUAR TERRA TRAC • LEXION 8000/7000 Series

CNH IndustrialCase IH AFS Connect® Magnum™ • Wing WheelSystem for Case IH Early Riser® 2160 Split-Row LargeFront-Fold Planter

Dura ProductsDURA-ABS DI Automated Direct Injection

FieldRobo LLCPlant Stand Analyzer

Groupe Anderson Inc.Fusion720 Xtractor - Inline & Single Bale CombinationWrapper

Innoquest, Inc.SpotOn® Quantum PAR Light Meter

John Deere2700/2750 PrecisionCut™ and E-Cut™ Hybrid TriplexMower • John Deere Quik-Knect • LS475 LiquidSystem • M & R Series Commercial Walk Behind Mower• MowerPlus™ Smart Connector • N500C Series Air Drill

Kuhn North AmericaOptidisc® Elite Cutterbar • OptiSense™ Belt StallIndicator

Laforge Systems LLCLAFORGE DynaTrac

Lindsay CorporationFieldNET Pivot Watch™

MacDon Industries LtdR216 SP Rotary Disc Header

Microsystems First, Inc.Microsystems Raw Food Pasteurization System

New HollandGround Speed Management II • New Holland P-SeriesAir Carts • SideWinder Ultra

RealmFive, Inc.Fetch Communications Device • Flip State Sensor •Furrow Underground System • R5 Click

Sears SeatingNexus Seat and TLS Suspension System

Sinclair Systems InternationalLarge Label V6 • Sinclair EcoLabel®

Smart Guided Systems LLCIntelligent Spray Control System

Sukup Manufacturing Co.Cyclone Air System Control • Grain Bin Door SafetyLatch • MySukup.com • Paddle Sweepway • U-TroughExtended Center Sump

TeeJet TechnologiesQJS-D Multiple Outlet Turret Nozzle Body

Valley IrrigationValley GPS Guidance

VermeerZR5-1200 Self-Propelled Baler

ZR5-1200 SELF-PROPELLED BALERVermeer CorporationPella, Iowa, USAwww.vermeer.comThe ZR5 Self-Propelled Baler provides an unprecedented level ofautomation, operator comfort, and maneuverability. Byautomating the baling process, the ZR5 reduces the number ofmanual operations involved in making a bale to just one step: allthe operator needs to do is push “go.” An independentsuspension system, with the cab positioned over it, gives theoperator better handling in the uneven ground conditions thatnaturally come with baling hay. In field mode, the zero-turncapability helps the operator minimize skipping windrows.Operators can spend less time maneuvering in the field andmore time baling when compared to conventional tractor-balercombinations, and the integrated quarter-turn technologyallows the bales to be placed parallel to the windrow, whichsaves time when picking up the bales.

WOODS® BH100 GROUNDBREAKER® BACKHOEWoods Equipment CompanyOregon, Illinois, USAwww.woodsequipment.comWoods has developed a unique set of ripping, gripping, andsawing capabilities for the bucket, thumb, and dipperstick onthe new BH100 Groundbreaker® Backhoe. Serrated, sawtoothedges on each of these components allow the backhoe operatorto efficiently dig in a wide variety of soil conditions, grub outroots to remove stumps, and reposition odd-shaped, oversizedmaterials. Coupled with a long reach-to-digging depth ratio,powerful digging and swing forces, and high-capacity buckets,the BH100 is a highly capable backhoe attachment for compactand utility tractors. Mounting to the tractor is accomplishedwith either dedicated four-point subframes or the three-pointSaf-T-Lok® limiter hitch.

INDEX OF WINNERS BY COMPANY


Editor’s note: ASABE memberHannah Thomascall, a student atAuburn University, took firstplace in the 2019 Ag and BioEthics Essay Competition by sub-mitting “an original work of upto 1,500 words on an ethicstopic impacting the practice ofprofessions related to agricultur-al and biological engineering,systems, or technology.” Opento undergraduate and graduate student members ofASABE and IBE, second place went to ASABE memberMegan Boland of North Carolina State University for“Doing It Right with the Second Generation of Gene-Editing for Agriculture: CRISPR Crops,” and third placewas awarded to ASABE member Margaret Anderson ofAuburn University for “Ethical Dilemma of Managing theMississippi River.” Congratulations to our 2019 finalists,who presented their essays at the 2019 AnnualInternational Meeting in Boston, Massachusetts.

Sustainability is commonly defined as “develop-ment that meets the needs of the present generationwithout compromising the ability of future genera-tions to meet their needs” (WCED 1987, 48). In the

context of this paper, agricultural sustainability means reduc-ing the consumption of resources such as water, chemical fer-tilizer, and soil, maintaining biodiversity, and creating lesspollution—all while preserving the production rate. Withoutmodifying the current agricultural practices, food productionwill be reduced dramatically when topsoil runs out in about60 years (Arsenault, 2017) . Another drop in production willoccur in approximately 75 years when the phosphorus minedto create fertilizer is depleted (“Phosphorus depletion: theinvisible crisis,” 2011) . Ethically, it is unacceptable to contin-ue using resources at a rate that will leave future generationsto starve, yet switching to sustainable farming may causefood shortages and economic hardship for many farmers now.

Monoculture farming became widespread in Americaafter World War II to feed a rapidly growing population(“Industrial Food Production,” n.d.). However, there are sev-

eral unsustainable aspects of monoculture farms that could bereduced or eliminated by switching to polycultural farming.In polyculture farming multiple species are grown together,as opposed to monoculture where only one species of crop isgrown. Monoculture farms harm local wildlife. For example,bees do not get sufficient and balanced nutrients from onecrop’s flower and because the crop all blooms at the sametime they are left without a food source the rest of the year(Donaldson-Matasci, 2013). Bees and other beneficial insectsare also harmed by pesticides sprayed on the crops.Monoculture depletes the soil of essential nutrients by grow-ing the same crops repeatedly in the same location. This leadsto an increased need for chemical fertilizers—which aremade using mined phosphorus. Runoff from fields is pollutedby these chemical fertilizers and pesticides.

All of these negative environmental impacts can be ame-liorated by adding cover crops to convert fields into polycul-ture farming. Cover crops are plants grown between the rowsof the commercial crop. The cover crops are not harvestedand are typically left to decompose on the field before beingtilled back into the ground the following season to act as afertilizer—reducing the need to add chemical fertilizers.Cover crops also add habitat for birds (which eat crop-dam-aging insects) as well as limiting the area available for weedsto grow, reducing the need for pesticides. Finally, cover cropsprovide an alternative food source for local animals whichmeans better nutrition and longer access to food. Overall,transforming a monoculture farm to a polyculture farm withthe addition of cover crops creates healthier soil, reducedneed for added chemicals, cleaner runoff water, and a betterhabitat for local wildlife.

Large, remote farms are also unsustainable—whetherthey are polycultural or monocultural. In America, 20% of thefarms produce 80% of the crops (Gleason, 2014). The percentof the American population working in the agricultural indus-try dropped from 41% in 1900 to under 2% in 2000 (Dimitriet al., n.d.). This represents a huge number of jobs lost and asignificant concentration of the economic benefit of the agri-cultural industry. Switching to smaller farms would increasethe percent of the population involved in farming and allow

The Ethics of SustainableAgricultural PracticesHannah Thomascall

Photo courtesy of USDA NRCS.


more people to benefit economically from this industry.Large, remote farms also mean that food has to travel a verylong distance to get from farm to table. Food miles are a unitused to describe the carbon footprint of transporting the food,not just the physical distance the food travels. Interestingly,this means that food travelling from Asia to America by cargoship actually has fewer food miles than food flown acrossAmerica because of the relative efficiency of the respectivemodes of transportation (Leavens, 2017). Local farms thatuse efficient transportation can significantly reduce the car-bon footprint of food.

Despite the many benefits of sustainable farms, there aresome obstacles to switching from large, monoculture farms:lower crop yields, increased cost, and reduced food diversityavailable to consumers. Monoculture farming produces morefood at a lower cost due to having the same growing require-ments across the field and less diverse machinery needed.Growing only one crop also means that the crop tends to bechosen specifically for the climate and soil type and thus willhave optimal growth and production (McGuire, 2015). Theincreased costs of more workers, different seeds, and newmachinery to plant and harvest crops may be passed onto theconsumers and create food deserts where people are unable toafford the available food. Switching to sustainable farms alsomeans a decrease in food miles. One disadvantage to reduc-ing food miles is it decreases the diversity available to manyconsumers, especially those who live in areas not conduciveto farming. Currently 1 in 6 people in the world are depend-ent on food imports and 34 countries are unable to produce

enough food for their populations due to water or land limi-tations (Cago, 2017). This means that reducing food miles isnot realistic everywhere. The best way to improve the carbonfootprint of food transportation right now is to reduce foodmiles where possible and use more efficient vehicles wherefood importation is required.

Now that some of the problems and benefits of sustain-able farming have been stated, the ethical implications mustbe examined. Continuing farming with the current methods

will lead to loss of topsoil and phosphorus for chemical fer-tilizer (among other things) which will cause a severe reduc-tion in crop yield in the near future. Yet, switching tosustainable, local, biodiverse farms could cause economichardship on farmers, increase food prices, decrease food vari-ety for consumers, and reduce yield. It is unethical to depletethe resources needed to produce food for future generations,but it is also unethical to reduce the current food productionand cause food shortages.

Different ethical theories resolve this dilemma in variousways. Utilitarianism argues that the morally correct option isthe one that causes the greatest net happiness regardless ofthe motive behind the action (Duignan, 2017). Therefore autilitarian would believe sustainable farming must be imple-mented because a slight food shortage now would cause lessunhappiness than future generations starving and not beingable to produce food. Conversely, ethical egoism claims thatactions should be performed only to maximize one’s self-interests (Shaver, 2019). This theory would reason that sus-tainable agriculture should not be implemented as it couldcause negative effects now and the negative effects of contin-uing large, monoculture farms will occur after their lifetime.

There are several possible compromises that would par-tially satisfy both utilitarianism and ethical egoism—alongwith most other ethical theories. One compromise is croprotation, which involves planting monoculture farms butchanging the type of crop year to year. This provides many ofthe benefits of sustainable farming, including increasedretention of soil nutrients, less need for fertilizers and biodi-

verse food sources for wildlife. Crop rotationalso retains the increased yield of monocul-ture farming and can easily be enhancedwith other sustainable farming practices likecover crops. This ethical compromise wouldallow the conservation of agriculturalresources for future generations withoutcompromising the current food productionrates. Other compromises include verticalfarming, hydroponics, and lab grown meats.These would all address some of the prob-lems of monoculture, such as space and soilnutrients, while maintaining high yields.

Monoculture is widely used because itreduces costs for farmers and increases crop

yield. Unfortunately, monoculture farming depletes the soilof nutrients, requires chemical fertilizers, needs largeamounts of water, and harms local wildlife. Small, sustain-able farms use techniques such as cover crops to mitigatethese problems and reduce food miles and the associated pol-lution. The ethical dilemma of whether to switch to sustain-able farms is viewed differently by various ethical theories. Acompromise between monoculture and polyculture farming,like crop rotation, offers a favorable option for most ethical

The ethical dilemma of whether to switch

to sustainable farms is viewed differently

by various ethical theories. A compromise

between monoculture and polyculture

farming, like crop rotation, offers a

favorable option for most ethical theories.

ag & bio ethics essay winner

Planning for the 2020 AIM

The YPC kicked off the 2019-2020 year with asuccessful retreat. Last November, severalExecutive Committee members and members-at-large met in Omaha, Nebraska, to check out

the site for the 2020 Annual International Meeting andsketch out some preliminary session planning for themeeting. We are excited to share some beneficial andeducational events with the Society:

• AIM orientation. As the YPC, we strive to helpfirst-time AIM attendees (as well as people whoare a little rusty at the AIM) understand ways toget involved with the Society and discover theopportunities that the AIM has to offer.

• Graduate student events. Check out thesocials and panels that the YPC hosts for gradu-ate students and potential graduate students.The best part is: most of these events are free toattend!

• Family programming. This year in Omaha, theYPC has worked with the Local PlanningCommittee to come up with a list of familyevents in the Omaha area, and we’ve foundsome possible discounts for families!

• Professional development and networking.Register for the Continued ProfessionalDevelopment (CPD) course offered by the YPC,as well as our local technical tour. We’ll alsohave a session on local agriculture in Nebraskaand the Midwest, an opportunity to get a profes-sional headshot at the Welcome reception, aswell as a social for Young Professionals (and allASABE members are welcome).

These events are already in the works to make the 2020AIM a great success. Keep your eyes peeled for moreYPC events when you register for the AIM. We’ll see youin Omaha!

ASABE member and YPC Chair Noël Menard, Applications& Evaluations Engineer, John Deere, Waterloo, Iowa, USA,[email protected].

theories. There is no clear answer of what the moral option isin regards to sustainable farming; what works in one part ofthe world may not work everywhere and people disagreeabout what the top priority should be. However, improve-ments in sustainable farming are being made all over theworld, and new technologies may provide a better solutionthat is currently unimaginable.

ASABE member Hannah Thomascall, Department of BiosystemsEngineering, Auburn University, Auburn, Alabama, USA,[email protected]

ReferencesArsenault, C. (2017). Only 60 years of farming left if soil

degradation continues. Scientific American. Retrievedfrom https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/only-60-years-of-farming-left-if-soil-degradation-continues/

Cago, L. (2017, Dec. 5). Countries most dependent on oth-ers for food. Retrieved fromhttps://www.worldatlas.com/articles/the-countries-import-ing-the-most-food-in-the-world.html

Dimitri, C., Effland, A., & Conklin, N. (2005). The 20th cen-tury transformation of U.S. agriculture and farm policy.Washington, DC: USDA. Retrieved fromhttps://www.ers.usda.gov/publications/pub-details/?pubid=44198

Donaldson-Matasci, M. (2013). Honeybees and monocul-ture: Nothing to dance about. Scientific American.Retrieved from https://blogs.scientificamerican.com/guest-blog/honey-bees-and-monoculture-nothing-to-dance-about/

Duignan, B., & West, H. (2017). Utilitarianism. Encyclopedia Britannica. Retrieved from https://www.bri-tannica.com/topic/utilitarianism-philosophy

Gleason, T. (2014). 20 percent of farms produce 80 percentof the value. University of Illinois Extension. Retrievedfrom https://will.illinois.edu/agriculture/note/20-percent-of-farms-produce-80-percent-of-the-value

“Industrial Food Production.” (n.d.). Union of ConcernedScientists. Accessed March 14, 2017.

Leavens, M. (2017). Do food miles really matter? HarvardUniversity. Retrieved from https://green.harvard.edu/news/do-food-miles-really-matter

McGuire, A. (2015) Ecological theories, meta-analysis, andthe benefits of monocultures. Washington StateUniversity. Retrieved from http://csanr.wsu.edu/theories-meta-analysis-monocultures/

“Phosphorus depletion: the invisible crisis.” (2011)Development Policy Review Network. Retrieved fromhttp://www.bibalex.org/Search4Dev/files/375199/213869.pdf

Shaver, R. (2019). Egoism. Metaphysics Research Lab,Stanford University. Retrieved from https://plato.stan-ford.edu/entries/egoism/

World Commission on Environment and Development(WCED). (1987). “Our Common Future.” OxfordUniversity Press, page 48.


Honoring the Newly Elected

Twelve new ASABE Fellows were recognized at theAnnual International Meeting in Boston,Massachusetts, in July. Resource is proud to high-light these recent honorees.

Fellows must have a minimum of 20 years of activepractice in, or related to, the profession of engineering, theteaching of engineering, or the teaching of an engineering-related curriculum. The designation Fellow has honorary sta-tus, to which members may be elected but may not apply.

As the ASABE Constitution states, Fellows are “ofunusual professional distinction, with outstanding andextraordinary qualifications and experience in, or related to,the field of agricultural, food, or biological engineering.”Election to Fellow is one of the highest distinctions anASABE member can achieve, and Resource looks forward toacquainting you with more of ASABE’s best and brightest.

Tony E. Grift, Professor of Agricultural and BiologicalEngineering, University of Illinois, Urbana, is recognized for his con-tributions in teaching, research, and service.

Together with graduate students and post-doctoral researchers, Grifthas conducted extensive research on the development of uniformitycontrolled granular fertilizer spreaders using a unique optical feed-back system. He spearheaded the measurement of energy require-ments for various operations in biomass feedstock production. In thearea of high-throughput phenotyping, Grift developed a Corn RootImaging Box (CRIB) which enables imaging of 100 corn roots perhour. He developed innovative methods of characterizing corn rootcomplexity, as well as a new definition of root angle. Currently, Griftis pioneering On-The-Implement-Intelligent-Soil-Sensing (OTIISS)methods that include acoustics, shear wave technology, and electri-cal impedance measurement. Additionally, Grift has taught thou-sands of undergraduate and graduate students in the areas of agri-cultural machinery, electro-hydraulics, instrumentation, and machinevision. Grift initiated the ASABE Student Robotics Design competi-tion in 2007 and led it for nine years. This competition started withthree teams and over the years has seen remarkable growth in bothparticipation and technical sophistication.

Pictured above: Tony (back row, far right) and colleagues from theUniversity of Illinois, during a visit to the Nelson Mandela CaptureSite memorial, Durban, South Africa, June 2019.

John R. Fisher, retired Vice President of Technical Affairs andSafety, Alamo Group Incorporated, Seguin, Texas, is honored for hislong dedication to the development and application of industrystandards and encouragement of off-road equipment safety.

At Alamo Group Incorporated, Fisher was responsible for providingsenior management with leadership and direction regarding theorganization’s safety culture, proactive safety training, status ofproduct liability, employee safety injury investigations, and compli-ance with environmental laws and regulations. Fisher has been aleading figure in the development of agricultural equipment safetystandards in the ISO forum, later introduced and adopted by ASABE,and has spent time encouraging colleagues to work with his educa-tional vision for engineers in the future through various training ini-tiatives. Fisher has increased the understanding and importance ofAlamo Group’s employee workplace safety mission through educa-tion and implementation of employee safety programs and reviews,significantly reducing work-related injuries. OSHA recordable andlost time injuries at Alamo Group have continually decreased to thelowest levels in 20 years.

Pictured above: John and Louann Fisher with their grandson, GarethMacAllister. Gareth was 8 months old at the time of this picture andis now a 2-year-old with lots of never-ending energy.

Meet the Fellows



VisualChallenge9

When we put out the call for submissions for the 2020VisualChallenge9, we knew we would be in for some greatimages. Each year Resource asks ASABE members and their

colleagues to communicate with images—statements withoutwords—to celebrate the visual aspects of agricultural and biologicalengineering. For our ninth year of the Visual Challenge, we are excit-ed to present selected images from the many entries we received.

We thank our many contributors who focused in on theprofession—finding beauty and meaning in their work. Their work

comes to life in these images, showing those outside the ABE field:“This is what we do.”

While the selection process was inevitably subjective, we hope thesephotos provide a glimpse into the variety of activities, workplaces, andsurprises that an ABE career can offer. As you find focus in 2020,please remember to pull out your camera or phone and take a shot.We will be looking for images for next year’s challenge and look for-ward to your entry!

FINDING FOCUS

Duy Hau (Holden) Truong, technician, Stacey Lab, University of Missouri, Columbia, USA.

CLOUD HARVESTING

Could this tractor be harvesting clouds? It sure looks like it! Instead it is headed to collect wheat grown near the Bradford Research Center, University of Missouri, Columbia, USA.

ASABE member A.J. Both, Professor, Department of Environmental Sciences,

Rutgers University, New Brunswick, New Jersey, USA.

JUST PLUGGING AWAY

A robotic transplanter is used to transfer youngplants from their initial growing tray (foreground)into individual pots. This process allows the plants

more space to grow to the desired marketable size.The system transplants 12 plants in a single move-

ment at a high rate of speed.



ASABE member JohnLumkes, P.E., Professor,Department of Agricultural and Biological Engineering, Purdue University, West Lafayette,Indiana, USA.

SOMEWHERE OVER THE RAINBOW

Farmland is visually “worth itsweight in gold” when a beautifulrainbow takes off from a soybeanfield, arches over a grass airstrip,and touches down in a corn field.

“THE LITTLE CHIEF THAT COULD”

A 1941 Aeronca Chief approaches agrass strip bordered by Midwesterncornfields. Fall weather is great forflying and provides a unique andbeautiful perspective on the scaleand impact of agriculture.


ASABE member Casee Eisele, Technology Alliances and Product Management, Compass Minerals, Overland Park, Kansas, USA.

FERTILIZER HARVEST

Sulfate of potash (SOP) harvest takes place at Compass Minerals in Ogden, Utah, every September through May. Through three years ofevaporation across 47,000 acres of ponds, the process yields salt, SOP, and magnesium chloride. The scope of the operation is breathtak-ing and was even more picturesque on this day with the approaching storm (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=30P2BUOgds8).

ASABE member Gedalyahu Manor, retired Associate Professor,Technion—Israel Institute of Technology, Haifa, Israel.

REACHING NEW HEIGHTS

The new high tree sprayer, DALI, uses turbulent air jets to send chemicaldroplets onto the canopies. It does so by vibrating and rotating the leaves,

efficiently depositing droplets on both sides, and in the process uses lesschemicals. Vineyard and strawberry sprayers using the turbulent air jets

system have already been used in Australia and Israel.

ASABE member Joel Peele Jr., Senior Engineer,Amadas Industries, Suffolk, Virginia, USA.

LETTING THE DUST SETTLE

Field-testing and efficiency evaluation of the upcomingmodel of Amadas Industries’ self-propelled peanut com-bine in Florida took place during the 2019 harvest. The testwindow for peanut harvest is limited. It takes untold hoursto get to the point of field-testing and sometimes onlyminutes to see things aren’t going to work as planned.Fortunately, our testing was successful.


ASABE member Duran Gulec, PhD student,Department of Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering,

South Dakota State University, Brookings, USA.

PROMISE TO OUR FUTURE

The grand challenges address our ever-increasing global popu-lation. How will we house and feed the world's peoples in the

years to come? My photo asks, “Are we paying attention toMother Nature?” Considering the codes, rules, laws, regula-

tions, and political decisions to be made, we must step up thepace and keep our promise to future generations by fostering

naturally elegant and practical solutions.

ASABE Member Paula Steiner,Engineer, USDA-NRCS, Mason, Michigan, USA.

SUNSET OVER LAKE MICHIGAN

Take in the beauty at one of the largest fresh water resources in the world.


ASABE member Brian McLaughlin,

2015 AE50 Winner, Safety Psychographics LLC, Notre Dame, Indiana, USA.

A RURAL MEETING

A scene outside the annual AmishSafety Day in Holmes County, Ohio. The

buggies are all displaying the slow-mov-ing vehicle (SMV) emblem, a standardvehicle marker developed by ASABE,

and their owners have come to see thelatest in safe farming and road-use

practices. The field in the foregroundunderscores how most Amish are still

tied to the land. The reflective SMVemblem helps keep this population safeon modern roads, so they can continue

to farm in their traditional ways.

STILL STANDING

This veteran barn behind an emptyfarmhouse in Berrien County, Michigan

(home of ASABE), is a typical rural sightacross the Midwest. While picturesque,most such structures are no longer use-

ful. They are too small to house modernequipment, or they are simply unneces-

sary on unoccupied farmsteads thathave been incorporated into larger

operations. This particular barn onceserved a small dairy operation, as indi-

cated by its rusting stanchions. If youlook closely, you can see a message inthe fading paint: “Men can take your

life, but ... soul.”


ASABE member Shane Williams, Design Engineer, Kuhn North America, Madison, Wisconsin, USA.

FOGGY BEGINNING

The barn, during the morning milking onmy family’s dairy farm in rural Wisconsin,is enshrouded with fog hiding the background distractions and keeping thefocus on the big picture.


updateJanuary/February 2020

New screening tool developed by IowaState University researchers can speeddetection of bovine tuberculosis In Brief: A new screening tool developed by researchers atIowa State University and the USDA can dramaticallyreduce the time required to detect strains of bacteria thatcause a serious livestock disease and that impact the healthof millions of people worldwide.

Bovine tuberculosis is a zoonotic disease—one capa-ble of being transmitted from animals to humans.The disease is caused by infection withMycobacterium bovis, a pathogen closely related to

the one that causes human tuberculosis.The new tool collects extremely low levels of volatile

organic compounds emitted by the bacteria, making it possi-ble to differentiate between disease-causing and non-disease-causing strains of Mycobacteria, said ASABE memberJacek Koziel, professor of agricultural and biosystems engi-neering at Iowa State University. The device can be used tocollect and analyze samples within hours, much quicker thancurrent methods that often take up to eight weeks.

In addition to speeding up identification, the new testingplatform is also portable and less expensive than tools typi-cally used to test for bovine tuberculosis in the laboratory.

Bovine tuberculosis causes coughing and lung damage,often leading to death. It primarily affects cattle and white-tailed deer in the U.S. and can be transmitted to humans whocome in contact with infected animals, and their meat orhides, or unpasteurized dairy products. Other mammals,including bison, elk, and feral and domestic swine, are sus-ceptible.

Human tuberculosis is generally linked to a differentspecies of bacteria. However, about 30% of human casesworldwide—out of an estimated 9.6 million total new cases(in 2014)—are linked to bovine tuberculosis. These cases

represent an estimated 200 to 300 human TB cases annuallyin the U.S. and millions in developing countries where thedisease is more prevalent in cattle.

Bovine tuberculosis often goes underreported and canspread widely. The course of the disease is slow, and a sickanimal can infect others before symptoms start to show.Disease transmission can also occur during the long incuba-tion time that current testing procedures require to cultureand identify the bacteria.

“That’s why the speed of the new lab-scale method is sovaluable,” said Koziel. “This is an important step toward anaccurate, real-time screening device for these diseases.”

ASABE member Jacek Koziel (right) and research collabo-rator Devin Maurer, with a prototype of their new tool thatcan dramatically speed detection of bovine tuberculosis byidentifying the unique signature of the gases that differentmicrobes emit over time.

Photo by Mark Thallman, courtesy of USDA.


The new tool uses a biosecure, closed-loop circulatingairflow system to collect the volatile organic compoundsfrom bacteria growing in lab cultures. The collected samplesare then analyzed using detailed statistics and other methodsto identify the unique signatures of the gases that differentmicrobes emit over time.

“This ability to detect the evolution of disease ‘finger-print’ volatiles is something that current methods cannot pro-vide,” said Koziel.

“The tool was developed with many materials that wehad on hand and with support from collaborators whobelieved in the idea and knew it could be an importantadvance,” he said.

Koziel worked with Devin Maurer, a research associatein agricultural and biosystems engineering at Iowa State whonow works in industry. “Devin had the unique blend of prac-tical skills, interest in livestock, and knowledge that made itpossible to create this ingenious device,” said Koziel. They

collaborated with Christine Ellis, then an APHIS research fel-low at the USDA Animal Plant Health Inspection Service’sNational Wildlife Research Center in Fort Collins, Colorado,and Tyler Thacker, a research microbiologist affiliated withthe USDA Agricultural Research Service’s National AnimalDisease Center in Ames.

“I hope this leads to more in-the-field, quicker responsescreening tools to help control the spread of livestock dis-ease,” said Maurer. “It also has potential to be adapted to helpdiagnose other diseases—and even to fingerprint environ-mental, forensic, or pharmaceutical specimens that you mightwant to limit direct contact with.”

The tool is not yet ready for widespread use, but Kozielexpects it could soon become part of a standardized test. To takeit to the next step, he said, additional side-by-side cross-checktesting with current “gold standard” methods is still needed.

For more information, contact ASABE member Jacek Koziel,[email protected], Devin Maurer, [email protected], or Ann Robinson, [email protected].

Farmer uses agriculturaltechnology to plant imageof popular K-State logoIn Brief: Kansas farmer Rocky Ormistonfound a unique way to honor his almamater: this summer, he planted corn toform a 2,000-foot image of the K-StatePowercat.

Folks across the country find allkinds of ways to celebrate theirfavorite universities and sportsteams. This summer, Rocky

Ormiston may have outdone them all.The co-owner of Ormiston Farms

used precision agriculture technology toplant a corn hybrid in the shape of theKansas State University Powercat,which—at 2,000 feet wide—is thought tobe the largest version ever made of thepopular logo.

Pictures taken several hundred feetabove the field show a perfectly groomed Powercat inside a125-acre circle that measures one-half mile wide. “ThePowercat covers about 40 acres of that circle,” Ormiston said.

Today’s precision agriculture machines allow farmers toplant multiple varieties of crops in one pass, depending on thesoil or other factors. In the case of Ormiston’s Powercat, heused the technology to plant one corn variety in a very precisepattern, and then used a different variety for all other parts ofthe circle.

The two varietieshave different colored tas-sels, creating a color dif-ference between thelarger field and thePowercat, “measuredright down to the inch,”Ormiston said. Theimage, which representsthe university’s mascot, isexpected to last for abouttwo weeks.

Using computer soft-ware from CropQuest, anagricultural consultingcompany, Ormiston andhis wife Stephanie,dropped an image of thePowercat onto a picture ofthe field to assign “zones”for planting corn. “Youassign that one variety to

the Powercat, and the rest of the field gets the other variety,”Ormiston said.

The computer program communicates with the tractor,which serves as a controller for the 80-foot-wide planter. Asthe farmer drives through the field, the computer programcommunicates with a pair of meters on the planter, whichmethodically release the assigned variety at the precise timeand in a precise location.

Ormiston Farms, which manages 7,000 acres of irrigatedland, purchased the technology nearly two years ago because

Rocky Ormiston of Kismet, Kansas, planted corn inthe shape of the K-State Powercat. At 2000 feet wide,it’s thought to be the largest version ever made of thelogo. Photo courtesy of Ormiston Farms.

their farm’s soil was highly variable. “This technology wascreated to plant the best variety regardless of soil type, so youcould maximize every acre on planting just one variety thatdoes average across the entire field, we can plant two varietiesthat both do well on that field.”

The field where the Powercat was planted was an areawhere the soil was consistent, Ormiston said. It gave him theopportunity to “just have some fun.”

“We’ve been talking about doing this since we boughtthe planter,” he said. “I didn’t do it the first year, because Iwanted to make sure everything was going to work first.”

For more information, contact Pat Melgares, CommunicationsCoordinator, KSU Communications and Agricultural Education, [email protected].

Plastic water bottles may one day fly people cross-countryIn Brief: A research group led by ASABE memberHanwu Lei and Washington State University (WSU) sci-entists has found a way to turn daily plastic waste intojet fuel.

ASABE member Hanwu Lei and his colleagues atWSU melted plastic waste at high temperature withactivated carbon, a processed carbon with increasedsurface area, to produce jet fuel.

“Waste plastic is a huge problem worldwide,” said Lei,an associate professor in WSU’s Department of BiologicalSystem Engineering. “This is a very good, and relatively sim-ple, way to recycle these plastics.”

How it worksIn the experiment, Lei and his team tested low-density

polyethylene and mixed a variety of waste plastic products,including water bottles, milk bottles, and plastic bags, andground them down to around 3 mm, or about the size of agrain of rice.

The plastic granules were then placed on top of acti-vated carbon in a tube reactor at a high temperature, rangingfrom 430°C to 571°C (806°F to 1,060°F). The carbon is acatalyst that speeds up the chemical reaction without beingconsumed.

“Plastic is hard to break down,” Lei said. “You have toadd a catalyst to help break the chemical bonds. There is a lotof hydrogen in plastics, which is a key component in fuel.”

Once the carbon catalyst has done its work, it can be sep-arated out and re-used on the next batch of waste plastic con-version. The catalyst can also be regenerated after losing itsactivity.

After testing several different catalysts at different tem-peratures, the best result produced a mixture of 85% jet fueland 15% diesel fuel.

Environmental impactAccording to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency,

landfills in the U.S. received 26 million tons of plastic in2015, the most recent year for which statistics are available.China has recently stopped accepting plastic recycling fromthe U.S. and Canada. Conservative estimates by scientists saythat at least 4.8 million tons of plastic enters the ocean eachyear worldwide.

Not only would this new process reduce that waste, verylittle of what is produced is wasted. “We can recover almost100% of the energy from the plastic we tested,” Lei said. “Thefuel is very good quality, and the byproduct gases producedare high quality and useful as well.” He also said the methodfor this process is easily scalable. It could work at a largefacility or even on farms, where farmers could turn plasticwaste into diesel.

“You have to separate the resulting product to get jet fuel,”Lei said. “If you don’t separate it, then it’s all diesel fuel.”

For more information, contact ASABE member Hanwu Lei,[email protected].

ASABE member Hanwu Lei (left) and his team at theBioproducts, Sciences and Engineering Laboratoryare working to turn plastic waste into jet fuel.


update


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Your personal/company consultantbusiness card could appear here.

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