I deal with the computer-end of Wisconsin's IPM, so what I write is in no
way meant to be comprehensive. We also do scout training and numerous other
outreach activities. For further information, contact:
jensen_b@wisplan.uwex.wisc.edu.
On Thu, 18 Nov 93 05:27:07 MST, Brian Ehlert wrote:
>George:
>
>I am interested in hearing more about your IPM programs. I have been
>looking for such a thing to help out here in MIchigan. I am working
>with growers, giving them the IPM skills and support that they need to
>make adequate decisions.
>
>What crops have you developed this for so far? And I have to ask: Why
>change it to a windows environment? I like to haul my portable around
>and no other ag program that I have uses windows. Just curious.
>
>Thanks in advance:
>
>Brian Ehlert
>Wolf Creek HUA
>Michigan State University Extension
Brian,
On our BBS we have the following software programs for download:
PCM-DEMO.ZIP - Potato Crop Management
WISPDEMO.ZIP - Wis. Irrigation Scheduling Program
ECB_ARC.EXE - European Corn Borer (Shareware)
PCM is Potato Crop Management, which includes models for potato emergence
prediction, disease/insect management, irrigation scheduling, ventililation/
storage, and a (very) rudimentary record-keeping "notepad."
The ECB program is an economic threshold calculator for treatment of ECB on
field corn.
WISP is a more generic stand-alone version of the irrigation module found
in PCM.
We also support an Onion Blight program, for which we have no demo and it
is not shareware.
I could attach the demos and send them to you via e-mail, but you'd need
POPMail, Eudora or Binhex.exe. I could also make them available via our
College of Ag & Life Science Gopher and/or extension server, something I
need to work on anyway. Or you could brute-force them with a modem from our
BBS (see signature below).
We have active scouting programs for turf, cranberries, xmas trees,
nursery, field corn, alfalfa, potatoes (irrig & muck), carrots, onions,
mint and cabbage.
In addition to the above software packages, we also have a program called
Plant Pest Profiles which incorporates most of the scouting research and
information. It is a 5 meg text database currently sitting on a VAX that
requires an account to run. BUT, we are in the process of porting the
profiles text into Paradox for Windows and incorporating scanned images.
As to the Windows question, we are taking advantage of the graphics
capabilities to the fullest, in the form of dynamic graphing, full color
plates of various pests and conditions (or at least 256 color plates), etc.
We plan on distributing generic plant pest profiles and color plates on CD-
ROM and distributing the software itself and more volatile information,
such as chemical recommendations, on floppy. By moving to Windows we are
addressing a different niche, which might be characterized as a blend of
individual growers, extension offices, corporate farmers, consultants,
libraries, maybe even kiosks in locations yet to be determined, etc.
The software will be an open-ended system of various computer models,
decion-aids, record-keeping, graphical representations of data, as well as
graphic images, for potentially a multitude of crops. As alluded to in a
previous message, we have immediate plans for adding snap beans and sweet
corn to our potato models, all working off the same database. We are
calling it ICM. Windows, with its multiple-document interface and vast
installed base, seemed like a good choice. We should have a beta version
ready by next spring with the shipping version ready in 1995. It is my
vision that the average laptop by then will be at least a 486 or Pentium;
the average laptop around here is a 386 or 486 already, which does Windows
fine.
We also built a network of automated weather stations around the state
over the last decade; I think it's up to 13 now, which provide weather
parameters needed by the PCM and WISP programs. It is the only source of
real-time solar radiation information in the state (that I know of), which
is required by our ET models. We have plans of automatically downloading
required weather info into the various user sites, preferably from a very
local weather station (which incorporates CR-10 data loggers), but that
is for the future.
We (actually our Soils Department handles the weather network now) are
encouraging individual growers to invest in their own weather stations,
which ideally end up on our Extension weather network.
For those interested in a sampling of our weather network and electronic
IPM newsletter capabilities, I have arranged for an account on our
extension mainframe which will provide all of our mainframe activities
which will be available soon over the Internet. During the growing season,
we also provide calculated ET values via a voice synthesizer (DECTalk)
which is a dedicated text-file reader. We have it hooked to a Wis. 800
number and it provides a crucial input for our irrigation model. DECTalk is
also used to provide free pest alerts, various scouting information, and
whatever we want. It gets a lot of use.
Hope this helps,
George Rice, Systems Programmer
***** ***** * * Integrated Pest Management
* * * ** ** University of Wisconsin-Madison
* ***** * ** * 481 Horticulture Bldg.
* * * * Madison, WI 53706
***** * * * Internet: rice@calshp.cals.wisc.edu
the next generation... Voice: 608-262-0170; FAX: 608-262-4743
BBS: 608-262-3656 (modem N,8,1,14.4KBaud)