Engineering Your Farm

What is biochar and how can we use it to improve the sustainability of animal agriculture? In this episode we sit down with Carly Graves, a graduate research assistant in the Department of Biological and Agricultural Engineering North Carolina State University.  Carly recently co-authored of a review paper evaluating the use of biochar to improve the sustainability of animal production and has also studied the use of engineered biochar as a poultry litter amendment. Listen in as we discuss agricultural applications for biochar and ways it can be used to improve agronomic and environmental outcomes. Access the review paper here. 

Variable weather conditions can make managing grain aeration challenging, but a tool for fine tuning aeration is now at your fingertips with the Grain Aeration & Storage App. Join us as we chat with Dr. Dirk Maier, professor in the Department of Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering at Iowa State University, and developer of the app. We discuss different tools within the app and how they can make fine tuning aeration a 'breeze'. Download the app at the Google Play Store https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=argentina.gob.ar.inta.grainaeration&hl=en_US&gl=US or the Apple Store https://apps.apple.com/tr/app/grain-aeration-storage-app/id1612701884 

Soil health - what is it? How do you know if you have it? How do you improve it? Join us as we chat with Dr. Anna Cates, State Soil Health Specialist and Assistant Professor in the Department of Soil, Water, and Climate at the University of Minnesota. We discuss soil health principles, testing, and how to get started with improving soil health on the farm. Visit mosh.umn.edu to learn more and check out the soil health assessment video series here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GHagzNIoVms&list=PLyDHx-rmZpCnGYN3Rlrixv-KTl3BG5A2X  

Can we really farm without using tillage or chemicals to control weeds? Listen in as we chat with Clint Brauer, 3rd generation farmer and CEO of GreenField Incorporated, a company on a mission to eliminate the need for chemicals in no-till agriculture. We discuss different robotic platforms that can provide both preseason and in-season weed control for row crops, and what challenges and opportunities lie ahead for chemical free no-till agriculture. 

Gary Lewis invented the Bio-Agtive Emissions Technology System to turn a problem into an opportunity: how to capture nitrogen from engine exhaust and use it to grow crops. In this wide-ranging conversation we dive into the details of how this technology has evolved from the goal of capturing nitrogen to increasing soil organic matter levels and boosting plant productivity, all while improving the soil and reducing input costs. The implications of this are profound - can we really turn diesel engine exhaust into a biological amendment that reduces the need for off-farm fertility? Listen in and decide for yourself. To learn more visit bioagtive.com 

Producing your own anhydrous ammonia on the farm with renewable energy might seem like a pipe dream but it's about to become a reality. Fuel Positive is a Canadian company that is rolling out a containerized  system that uses air, water, and either grid-tied or renewable electricity to produce anhydrous ammonia. In this episode we chat with Ian Clifford, Board Chair and CEO of Fuel Positive, about how the system works and how it can benefit farmers. Visit fuelpositive.com for more information.   

In the episode we venture into the wet world of water quality and aquatic invasive plant removal with Tara Lordi, owner and COO of Weedoo Greenboat Inc. Tara discusses challenges to water quality due to pesticide applications and nutrient runoff and how removing excess vegetation can be a win-win for water quality and the environment. Learn more at weedooboats.com  

In this episode we chat with Nancy Vander Byl, North American Territory Manager for Core Cool Systems, about how to keep livestock cool and comfortable by managing airflow and humidity in barns. We discuss the importance of airspeed, evaporative cooling, and other factors for keeping animals comfortable to maximize productivity. You can learn more at corecoolsystems.com and https://www.extension.iastate.edu/dairyteam/ 

Seed conditioning encompasses a critical and underappreciated set of processes and technologies to ensure that we have viable high-quality seed to plant. In this episode, we sit down with  Alan Gaul, a Seed Conditioning Specialist with the Seed Science Center at Iowa State University. The discussion covers both the history and current industry trends in seed conditioning, as well as some of the processes involved in conditioning seed. We also discuss the many educational opportunities and services  available through the Seed Science Center and Seed Lab at Iowa State University.  

Listen in as we discuss important planter maintenance items, planter setup in the field, how to assess your planter performance, and the pros and cons of high-speed planters. Our guest is Ryan Bergman, a  technical project specialist in the Department of Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering at Iowa State University. Check out https://www.abe.iastate.edu/ and https://crops.extension.iastate.edu/ for more information. You can follow Ryan on Twitter @r_w_bergman and also follow @ISU_ABE and @ISUCropNews.

In this episode we discuss spring manure application strategies, yield implications, and adjustments for dry weather and high fertilizer prices to help you maximize the value of spring applied manure. Our guests are Dr. Dan Andersen, associate professor in the Dept. of Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering and Extension manure management specialist,  and Kristina TeBockhorst, field agricultural engineer with Iowa State University Extension and Outreach. For more information visit the Iowa Manure Management Action Group website at https://www.extension.iastate.edu/immag/ and visit the ISU Extension Store for manure-related publications https://store.extension.iastate.edu/ 

Properly managing in-season nitrogen and cover crop applications can be both challenging and profitable. In this episode we sit down with Kent Cavender-Bares, co-founder and CEO of Rowbot Systems, to discuss their autonomous Rowbot technology for application of nitrogen and cover crops during the growing season. To learn more, go to Rowbot.com 

Listen in as we sit down with Jon Jackson, President and founder of Global Neighbor, a company that is pursuing a new weed control strategy called Directed Energy Floral Control. We discuss how directed energy technology works and how it could be implemented on the farm for both weed seed inactivation and control of growing vegetation. Check out g-neighbor.com to learn more. 

Join us as we dive into the exciting new field of conservation agronomy. In this episode we have a wide-ranging conversation with Ruth McCabe, conservation agronomist with Heartland Cooperative, and Zach Timm, conservation agronomist with Dubuque County Iowa Soil and Water Conservation District. We talk cover crops, edge-of-field conservation practices, getting funding for conservation, the future of conservation agronomy, and more.  Follow Ruth on Twitter @agronomistruth, Zach @ZachTimm4, and follow us @IAFieldAgEngrs. 

In this episode, guests Kristina TeBockhorst, field agricultural engineer, and Joel DeJong, field crops specialist with Iowa State University Extension and Outreach, join Brian Dougherty to discuss optimal timing for fall manure and commercial N applications. Application strategies, yield effects, and adjustments for dry weather and high fertilizer prices are among the topics discussed.     Resources for more information:Using Manure Nutrients for Crop Production: https://store.extension.iastate.edu/product/12874 Manure Monday: Manure Application and Timing: https://youtu.be/rKOGYBOfU5IDNR Manure Application Separation Distances: DNR 113 Separation Distances for Land Application of Manure and DNR 117 High Quality Water Resources.Manure Timing Impact on Yield: https://crops.extension.iastate.edu/blog/brian-dougherty/early-fall-applied-manure-can-lead-corn-yield-loss Improving crop yields and water quality with manure management: https://crops.extension.iastate.edu/blog/brian-dougherty/improving-crop-yields-and-water-quality-manure-management How to Sample Manure for Nutrient Analysis: https://store.extension.iastate.edu/product/5059 

Join us for a discussion with Jonathan Gill about the Hands Free Hectare and Hands Free Farm projects, which achieved a world first by farming a hectare of land (now 35 hectares) entirely autonomously. Jonathan is a robotics engineer with a research team at the National Centre for Precision Farming at Harper Adams University in Newport, United Kingdom. We discuss drone technology, the advantages and challenges of fully autonomous field operations, swarm technologies, and Jonathan's vision for the future of autonomous agriculture.  To learn more, visit handsfreehectare.com and handsfree.farm and follow Jonathan on Twitter @AgRobotJon and @FreeHectare. 

In this episode we sit down with Jodi DeJong-Hughes, Regional Extension Educator with the University of Minnesota Extension, to discuss how to prevent and address soil compaction issues. Topics include the effects of tillage,  the role of tire inflation pressure, how to fix ruts, and using cover crops to improve soil resiliency. To learn more, visit https://extension.umn.edu/soil-management-and-health/soil-compaction and follow Jodi on Twitter @SoilLorax.

In this episode Iowa State University Extension and Outreach Field Agricultural Engineer Brian Dougherty sits down with Zack Smith, co-inventor of the Stock Cropper, to discuss his vision for diversifying farms by incorporating livestock into row cropped farmland and agroforestry systems. To learn more visit https://thestockcropper.com/ and follow along on The StockCropper YouTube channel or on Twitter @zebulousprime 

Listen in as host Brian Dougherty sits down with Dr. Larry Weber from the University of Iowa, John Rathbun, watershed coordinator in Clear Creek Watershed, and Jamie Benning from Iowa State University, to discuss the Iowa Watershed Approach project and related efforts to mitigate flooding and improve water quality in Iowa. Does tile drainage affect flooding? What can we do to improve water quality in Iowa? Listen in and visit https://iowawatershedapproach.org/ to learn more. 

Ever wondered how a drone can help you better manage your farm? Check out the latest 'buzz' about drones as Iowa State University Extension and Outreach field ag engineer Brian Dougherty chats with Ryan Gibbs, owner of Gibbsfield Ag LLC, about how he uses drones as part of his custom spraying and cover crop business. Ryan also shares some thoughts on where he thinks drone technology is headed and how they will be used on farms in the future. 

Listen in as Iowa State University Extension and Outreach Field Agricultural Engineer Brian Dougherty sits down with Dr. Melissa Wilson, assistant professor and Extension specialist in manure management and water quality at the University of Minnesota, to discuss her research on using manure with cover crops and sidedressing manure into standing corn. You can follow Dr. Wilson on Twitter at @ManureProf and @UMNmanure and learn more about her research at z.umn.edu/manureresearch2020Email us at engineeryourfarm@gmail.com with comments and suggestions and follow us on Twitter at  @IAFieldAgEngrs 

Listen in as Iowa State University Extension Ag Engineering Fields Specialists Kapil Arora and Shawn Shouse discuss how to determine whether you should repair or replace damaged grain facilities. Kapil and Shawn also give some tips on management of stored grain and tips for keeping grain in good condition as temperatures increase during spring.

In this episode of Engineering Your Farm, host Shawn Shouse discusses olfactometry and the science behind what causes farm odors with Dr. Jacek Koziel, Professor in the Department ofAgricultural and Biosystems Engineering at Iowa State University. Dr. Koziel has dedicated his career to measuring and mitigating farm odors. 

Listen in as Iowa State University Extension and Outreach field ag engineers Shawn Shouse and Brian Dougherty discuss strategies and tips for improving wintertime ventilation of facilities for both dairy and beef cattle. 

In this episode of Engineering Your Farm, host Shawn Shouse discusses the history, development, applications, and future direction of mechanical and chemical robotic weed control technologies with Dr. Brian Steward and Dr. Lie Tang from the Department of Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering at Iowa State University.

This podcast is produced by the Iowa State University Extension and Outreach field agricultural engineering team. We are a group of agricultural engineers that work with farmers and agribusiness professionals to help improve the efficiency, profitability, and environmental outcomes on farms.   This podcast will feature information and interviews with ISU Extension field ag engineers and others with expertise in engineering and environmental issues in agriculture. We will cover a variety of topics including grain drying, handling and storage issues, livestock facility design and ventilation, soil and water management, manure management, machinery management, composting, farm safety, and more. We will also discuss solutions to common problems with homes and farmsteads, including energy efficiency improvements, indoor air quality, and well water quality. You can find our episodes on many of your favorite podcast players. Please subscribe to the Engineering Your Farm podcast and stay tuned for new episodes.