> We need evidence of success stories to demonstrate the capacity and
> capability of systems-based tools.  Attachai's application in
> Thailand is one.  Any others?
>
> Gordon Tsuji
>
 
I'm not sure that this qualifies as a "success story" since the
system hasn't had a chance to prove itself yet; however, I' ve been
working for the past 2 years on a project to develop a soybean
decision support system.  The project is being lead by Jim Jones and
involves researchers from 11 states.  The system is similar to DSSAT
in functionality (with some limitations) and includes additional
models for weeds, water quality, and economics. The goal of this
system is to aid farmers in making better management decisions.
Better can be in terms of yields, economics, and/or environmental
impacts.
 
What really makes this system different is that it focuses on helping
farmers make better decisions.  For example, the farmer can input a
scenario (using a Windows interface) of their current farming
practices.  Then the farmer can play a "what-if" game on changing
planting dates, varieties, irrigation, etc.  and see the agronomic,
economic, and environmental impacts of a range of planting dates
using several years of historical weather data.
 
We are about to begin the second phase of the project which involves
going to the next level of decision support system development --
delivering the system to the users.  We are currently working on
getting commercial companies involved in the development, support,
and maintenace of the system.  Going to this level has many
implications on flows of funds, data, and knowlege between research
institutions, private companies, farmers, and funding agencies.
 
While the initial system has concentrated on soybeans, the links to
the models are DSSAT compliant so that other models can easily be
incorporated into the system.  The largest modifications would
involve changing the decisions targeted.  For example, the soybean
system does not specificaly address nitrogen applications, but this
would be important for a corn system.
 
It's been a fun undertaking and have gotten very positive feedback
on the initial versions from farmers and crop consultants.
 
For more information:
 
Jacobson, Barry M., James W. Jones.  1996. Designing a decision
support system for soybean management.  Presented at the 6th
International Conference on Computers in Agriculture.  Cancun,
Mexico, June 11-14, 1996.
 
Jacobson, Barry M., James W. Jones, Stephen M. Welch.  1995.
Decision support system to assess agronomic, economic, and
environmental impacts of soybean and corn management. ASAE Paper No.
95-2696. Am. Soc. of Agr. Eng., St. Joseph, MI 49085.
 
Barrett, John R. and Barry M. Jacobson.  1995.  Humanization of
decision support for managing U.S. grain (soybean and corn)
production. Presented at the 2nd IFAC/IFIP/EurAgEng Workshop on AI in
Agriculture, Wageningen, The Netherlands, May 29-31, 1995.
 
--------------------------------------------------------------
Barry M Jacobson, PhD
112 Rogers Hall
Univ of Florida               Internet: [log in to unmask]
PO Box 110570                 Voice: (352) 392-9129
Gainesville, FL  32611-0570   Fax: (352) 392-4092
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