2020
Enhanced Weather Information for Soybean Growers and Pesticide Applicators
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Contributor/Checkoff:
South Dakota Soybean Research and Promotion Council
Category:
Sustainable Production
Keywords:
Abiotic stressCrop protectionField management Water supply
Parent Project:
This is the first year of this project.
Lead Principal Investigator:
Laura Edwards, South Dakota State University
Co-Principal Investigators:
Project Code:
Contributing Organization (Checkoff):
South Dakota Soybean Research and Promotion Council
$33,270
Institution Funded:
South Dakota State University
$33,270
Brief Project Summary:

This project will augment weather information for soybean growers, with additional resources for pesticide applicators. Researchers will utilize the South Dakota Mesonet, as it is the only weather network in the state directly measuring inversions and recording observation information every 5 minutes. There have been changes to the approved labels for over-the-top dicamba formulations, and additional weather station equipment is improving weather information for soybean growers. Other objectives include creating an on-demand spray conditions email system to allow users to document weather conditions; and to create a video series on weather and inversions.

Key Benefactors:
farmers, agronomists, applicators, ag retailers, extension specialists

Information And Results
Project Deliverables

July-September 2019
• Provide boom height wind speed using methodology stated above. Make available on the Spray Tool online.
• Develop recordkeeping email system for the Spray Tool. This will email the user with weather conditions for any SD Mesonet location, including wind speeds, wind gusts, and inversion measurements.
• Use social media and SDSU Extension website and traditional media to share updated resources/capability.
• Begin process to set up video recordings. Record outdoor smoke bomb demonstrations.

October-December 2019
• Finalize email request system for weather information.
• Create content for winter meetings.
• Attend Soybean Outlook and share updated resources at the SDSU/SDSU Extension trade show booth.
• Write scripts and begin recording studio portions of videos.

January-March 2020
• Share SD Mesonet and Spray Tool updates at Commercial Agriculture and Private Pesticide Applicator training classes.
• Provide information and handouts on SD Mesonet and Spray Tool at pesticide classes, Crop Consultants meeting and other presentations
• Performance check of email system and boom height calculations are operating well and revise for spray season, if needed.
• Finish recording and editing videos.

April-June 2020
• At start of growing season, provide information of new capabilities on SDSU Extension website and social media outlets.
• Share handouts and make presentations at SDSU Farm field days.
• Publish videos.

Final Project Results

The United Soybean Research Retention policy will display final reports with the project once completed but working files will be purged after three years. And financial information after seven years. All pertinent information is in the final report or if you want more information, please contact the project lead at your state soybean organization or principal investigator listed on the project.