The archives of this newsletter
See: http://www.informatique-agricole.org/category/gazette-efita/


Jokes, Quotes and Anecdotes... an Anatomy of Wit
Mick Harkin, ex Secretary of EFITA, who has kept us amused with his Friday Jokes over the years, has published a book on Amazon entitled "Jokes, Quotes and Anecdotes... an Anatomy of Wit".
See: http://www.jokesquotesandanecdotes.com
Contact: Mick HARKIN
E-mail: harkin(a)iol.ie


Lack of interest in EFITA of private commercial actors (except Progis from Austria!): it is a pity since the scientists need to know what tools are used by farmers and what are the needs of farmers as seen by industrial actors? And agri-ICT companies could pick up new ideas, develop co-operations through EFITA. (Newsletter Nb. 610)
I feel moved to respond to the postings in the newsletter about the recent EFITA Conference that refer to the lack of participation or inclusion of commercial companies in ICT for agriculture. Most conferences on precision farming are organised by and for academics working in this field. It would be a common complaint that commercial participation is light. The uptake of ICT in agriculture is slower than it might be because the work that is exposed at conferences is typically far in advance of what is being done at the coal face (as it were) commercially. I sometimes think such conferences actually do a disservice to the cause by putting farmers off - "that's all too complicated for me".

We have been providing real-time monitoring for almost 17 years now in pig production and the market is only just beginning to recognise the potential value. Really, the last thing we need is for farmers to be "sold" on something that really is not yet available - an integrated management system - as disappointment is bound to follow. We're getting there but slowly. It would be better if commercial practitioners and academics worked much more closely together to get SOMETHING SIMPLE started in the market that delivers value so that a trend of investment in ICT is clearly established, a support sector can grow up alongside it and both those working in the field and the end users can derive benefit.

I contacted the organisers of EFITA 2013 last year to offer involvement. The "we must keep in touch" response was the last word I heard.

Keep up the good work!
See: http://www.farmex.co.uk/

Contact: Hugh G CRABTREE BSc(Hons) FIAgrE – Director - Farmex Ltd
E-mail: Hugh(a)Farmex.com


AgriFood Apps Store?
During the Conference I realised that we might need a place for disseminating all the good stuff being developed within ICT for agriculture and food - a sort of an AgriFood Apps Store.
At first I thought of this as an ICT-AGRI asset, but then as an EFITA asset for two reasons: Firstly, EFITA will last longer than ICT-AGRI, and secondly, EFITA is capable of taking a fee for commercial products (which might generate some income to EFITA).
The items for the Apps Store can be can be small or large computer programs, models, DSS, complete systems integrating DSS and sensors, etc. The main customers would be companies providing ICT and services for farmers (so the main products will be a kind of middle ware), but also products intended for farmers.
If you think this idea is worthy to pursuit, I suggest we together develop a more elaborated description, which can be forwarded for decisions by the EFITA board and the ICT-AGRI governing board. I suppose that ICT-AGRI can take responsibility for develop the Apps Store, but that needs confirmation.
Contact: Iver THYSEN - ICT-AGRi
E-mail: ivth(a)fi.dk


iGreen project
The iGreen project intends to develop and realize a network of location-based services and knowledge, which shall integrate various public and private information sources. This network shall allow the realization of mobile decision assistant systems which facilitate the decentralized support and optimization of cooperative production processes, reaching improved energy efficiency, economic advantages, and environmental benefits.
See: http://www.igreen-projekt.de
Contact: Dr Ansgar BERNARDI
E-mail: ansgar.bernardi(a)dfki.de


Genscape Acquires Agriculture Monitor LandViewer (datawatch.ze.com)
See: http://datawatch.ze.com/agriculture-and-metals/genscape-acquires-agriculture-monitor-landviewer/


Image Line: A community dedicated to agriculture in Italy
See: http://www.imagelinenetwork.com/ultime-novita/2013/06/27/ict-e-agricoltura-sostenibile-il-caso-image-line/33804


Lithuanian EU Ambassador on country’s Presidency priorities
See: http://www.vieuws.eu/eu-institutions/need-mff-deal-there-is-no-plan-b-lithuanian-eu-ambassador/

Mr. Smith is Dead
A law firm receptionist answered the phone the morning after the firm's senior partner had passed away unexpectedly.

"Is Mr. Smith there?" asked the client on the phone.

"I am very sorry, but Mr. Smith passed away last night," the receptionist answered.

"Is Mr. Smith there?" repeated the client.

The receptionist was perplexed. "Perhaps you did not understand me I am afraid Mr. Smith passed away last night."

"Is Mr. Smith there?" asked the client again.

"Madam, do you understand what I am saying?" said the exasperated receptionist. "Mr. Smith is dead."

"I understand you perfectly," the client sighed. "I just cannot hear it often enough.

Contact: Mick HARKIN
E-mail: harkin(a)iol.ie


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