Field crop production goes high-tech

A profitable farm operation is all about gaining efficiency. Think of a farmer steering equipment back and forth across a field. If the passes are overlapped by even as little as 5 or 10 percent, that could amount to as much as 4 feet on a 40-foot implement. Multiply that by the number of passes through a field, and you see how such a small overlap can have an enormous impact on fuel, seed, and chemical consumption, not to mention time spent in the field.

A new John Deere guidance system acquired by the ATI farm provides, among other things, pass-to-pass accuracy of plus or minus 4 inches. The AutoTrac technology actually steers the equipment through the fields, enabling operators to work at higher speeds and with greater accuracy than is possible with manual steering. The guidance system will be used with one of ATI's John Deere tractors and a self-propelled sprayer.

Another feature of the system is swath control, which allows sections of the spray boom to be turned on or off automatically, based on GPS data. "You define field boundaries," explained crops professor Nels Hansen, "and the equipment will not spray outside of those boundaries." Nor will it spray where it's not supposed to within the field boundaries--when crossing over a waterway, for example.

Swath control can also be used in planting. "Fields in Ohio are often not square," said Hansen. "As you're negotiating all the odd field margins, the swatch control technology can turn off individual gangs on a planting drill--so no more double planted rows."

The guidance system technology will be incorporated into field crop production classes and practicum. "It's important for students to learn how to operate equipment with advanced technology," Hansen said. "In a few years, most farms will be using something like this."

--By Frances Whited

Dairymaster donates new milking system to ATI

A quarter million dollar milking system donated by the Irish company Dairymaster is giving ATI dairy students the opportunity to work with state-of-the-art equipment.

Dairymaster donated not only the milking system, but the installation of it, as well. The milking system includes cow ID, automatic take offs, milk meters that record daily milk production, a milk line for high protein milk, a milk line for low protein milk, and a milk line for un-salable milk. The system automatically diverts milk into the separate milk lines. The donation also included all the computer software to run the system and all the equipment to wash and sanitize the system.

The new swing ten parallel parlor replaces ATI's old double six herringbone parlor. The new parlor has 20 stalls, with 10 milking units shared between the two sides.

The building that housed the old parlor had to undergo some significant modifications in order to accommodate the new equipment. The structure was widened by 10 feet and the ceiling raised 3 feet. The finishing touch for the project was an Animat interlock rubber flooring system for the parlor and the holding area, donated by Harold's Equipment of Dundee, Ohio.

Increased efficiency is one of the biggest benefits of the new system. "We're able to milk more cows with less equipment," explained Andrew Remillard, assistant dairy herd manager. "And decreased milking time will help lower labor cost." He continued, "With the new equipment, we should be able to take advantage of certain milk quality premiums that we were not able to in the past, and that will help raise revenues."

The educational benefits for ATI's dairy production and management and dairy science students are considerable, as well. "The new equipment operates on different principles than most conventional milking systems do," said Remillard. "In a nutshell, it will broaden students' education about how different milking systems work."

--By Frances Whited

ATI bull a grand champion at Ohio Beef Expo

ATI Minuteman, a Murray Grey yearling bull born and raised at ATI's Apple Creek Farm, made an outstanding showing at the 2010 Ohio Beef Expo. Minuteman won the yearling bull class. He then won the Champion Junior Bull and went on to win overall Grand Champion Murray Grey Bull.

"The farm staff was quick to realize Minuteman's potential as a calf," said ATI Director of Farm Operations Mark Schleppi. At the beginning of the school year, beef herd manager Casey Meek sought out students who might be interested in committing the time and effort necessary to prepare Minuteman for the show ring.

During fall quarter, students John Karlen, Jessie Hoobler, and Andrew Christian worked with Minuteman, breaking him to halter and getting him accustomed to handling. Hoobler and Christian graduated after fall quarter, so Karlen carried on with the help of another student, Brent Kasler. Kasler and Karlen were responsible for Minuteman's final fitting. Cargill donated show feed to help get Minuteman in the best possible condition for the show. Karlen showed Minuteman in all the classes.

The Murray Grey breed originated in Australia and was brought to the United States in 1970. ATI's herd was established through a donation of 13 animals in 1988. Minuteman is not the first ATI Murray Grey to find success in the show ring. ATI Streamline was national Reserve Champion Calf in 1994 and national Grand Champion Bull in 1995. He eventually was sold to a breeder in Brazil. All told, ATI has produced three national champion and two reserve champion Murray Greys, as well as dozens of Ohio champions.

After Minuteman's big win, Murray Grey breeders from four states were interested in purchasing him. ATI Minuteman was ultimately sold to a breeder in Kentucky who intends to show him at the national Murray Grey show in Spokane, Washington, in August. "We wish Minuteman and his new owner all the best in Spokane," Schleppi said.

--By Frances Whited