> 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 --------------------------------------------------------------