
A package of computer programs offers peanut
farmers a way to manage most farm operations. Click image for additional
information.
Read the
magazine
story to find out more. Peanut
Farmers Have a "Suite" DealBy Sharon
Durham October 10, 2003A new software package developed by
Agricultural Research Service scientists
will help peanut farmers better manage their irrigation, pest control and other
aspects of their farm operations. Scientists at the ARS National Peanut
Research Laboratory in Dawson, Ga., have developed a host of computer
programs under the general name of FarmSuite. For example, one component,
called Irrigator Pro, is a computerized expert system designed to aid in making
peanut irrigation and pest control decisions. According to ARS food technologist Marshall Lamb, FarmSuite also includes
HarvPro, Peanut Curing Manager, Capital Investment Program, Sprinkler Cost
Program and, most recently, WholeFarm, which is fast becoming an integral part
of peanut farm operations. Irrigator Pro's goal was to improve economic returns for irrigated peanut
production and reduce risk associated with foreign material, immaturity,
off-flavor, chemical residues, negative environmental impact and aflatoxin.
More than 20 years of scientific research data and other information are
incorporated in the software to help peanut farmers make informed, appropriate
irrigation decisions. WholeFarm provides a reliable, accurate picture of everything happening on a
farm and helps make financial decisions. A grower can "build" a farm
into the computer and analyze different situations that can impact the entire
operation. For instance, it's possible to evaluate which crops to plant for
maximum profit and to estimate how changes in crop prices might influence farm
income, cash flow and break-even yields. Even equipment purchases can be
figured into the programmed "farm." FarmSuite was developed under a cooperative research and development
agreement with the Peanut Foundation, which is responsible for distribution.
The software costs $25 and can be shared with other farmers. More information about this work appears in the October issue of
Agricultural Research magazine. ARS is the U.S. Department of
Agriculture's primary scientific research agency. U.S. Department of Agriculture |