Châtenay-Malabry (FR - 92290), 26 September 2016


EFITA newsletter / 751 - European Federation for Information Technology in Agriculture, Food and the Environment



To correspond with me (GW), please use this address: guy.waksman(a)laposte.net


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The www.informatique-agricole.org web site is fully operational again. It was not the case for a few months. You will find again the efita newsletters as well as the afia newsletters in French.
The Organisational Committee of Efita 2017 is working hard to organise our congress in the splendid town of Montpellier where I was lucky enough to perform my studies. I was telling: Montpellier is not far from paradise!

Going deeper on Deere, Monsanto disagreement with DOJ
Deere and Monsanto are heading to court over a U.S. Department of Justice attempt to block Deere’s acquisition of Precision Planting’s equipment business, currently owned by Monsanto.
See: http://farmindustrynews.com/farm-equipment/going-deeper-deere-monsanto-disagreement-doj


New tool for predicting U.S. soybean yields announced
See: http://cornandsoybeandigest.com/soybeans/new-tool-predicting-us-soybean-yields-announced


SoilEssentials...
...celebrating 15 years at the forefront of innovative products and services, continues to merge technology with good farming practice to provide practical solutions with agricultural efficiency in mind.
Working from a Scottish head office at the foot of the idyllic Angus Glens, the team provides practical solutions designed primarily with agricultural efficiency in mind.
SoilEssentials is the authorised Trimble dealer for Scotland, Northern Ireland and Northern England and blend this with an extensive complementary product and service portfolio of our own.
See: http://www.soilessentials.com/history.cfm
See: http://www.soilessentials.com/products-guidance.cfm


Hummingbird-2
Hummingbird-2 is a drone-enabled data and imagery analytics company for the European smart farming space. We are a fully funded start-up, based in central London, and with a focus on early disease detection in crops. We primarily collect imagery using multispectral, hyperspectral and thermal sensors mounted on drones, before combining this with other data collected from satellites, planes, ground equipment or soil sensors. Through the subsequent imagery and data analytics of what the human eye can’t see, our aim is to disrupt and improve the sector by providing farmers with much needed and superior in-field intelligence. This will allow them to lower pesticide and fertiliser costs, increase yields and manage their land more sustainably for a better future.
See: http://startups.co.uk/forum/topic/hummingbird-technologies-image-processing-engineer/
See: https://hummingbirdaerialsurveys.com/


Muddy Boots
By 2030 world food production will have to increase by 50% in order to feed our growing population. Both land and water resources are finite and already under significant stress, yet more than 7.5 million tonnes of food is being wasted in the supply chain every year in the UK alone. Food production needs to change: It needs to be more sustainable, to allow us to produce more from less; and it needs to be more efficient, with a reduction in waste and better visibility of performance.
Muddy Boots is unique in this sector as we operate at every level of the supply chain from grower to retailer, giving us insight and understanding of the challenges that face the food industry. This has allowed us to build a portfolio of products that support businesses in solving today's challenges. Harnessing collaborative technology that enables you to measure and monitor the performance of your sites, suppliers and products is the cornerstone of a sustainable future in food and farming.
See: http://en.muddyboots.com/


Digital Agronomy
ADAS is a leading provider of independent scientific research in crop protection, crop physiology, and soil management. We combine our expertise in crop and soil science with digital technology to produce innovative services and products that improve business practices and help increase yields. This helps drive safe and secure food supplies and contributes to a sustainable and resilient industry.
Cloud data platforms enable real-time data capture and automatic crop management based on detailed research-based algorithms. Using big data archives and in-field data collection, we are developing innovative science-based technologies for farmers and agronomists. We have produced a range of systems that apply crop production knowledge to practical farm management through decision support tools, downloadable software and web-based tools.
ADAS research scientists are working with collaborators around the world to develop innovative methods for assessing crops in the field using hand held devices, tractor mounted hardware, or remote sensing technology. These novel methods enable growers to automatically apply appropriate management, such as spot-treating patches of weeds or varying N applications.
Examples of how we have applied digital technology in our work include;

> Yield Enhancement Network (YEN)
The YEN connects agricultural organisations and farmers striving to improve crop yields. Soil and weather data are combined to estimate biophysical yield potential, and compared to achieved yields & crop data to better understand how yield improvements can be made.

> Agronōmics
ADAS recognises the power of working with farmers and with precision technologies to establish spatial experiments to answer questions relevant on-farm. Agronōmics is developing the techniques, equipment, protocols, statistics, data processing, informatics, software, website and research infrastructure required to support Line Trials & Geotrials

> WheatScan
ADAS worked with the University of Manchester, Sainsbury’s and Camgrain to deploy low cost multi-spectral imaging technology to develop calibrations for wheat nitrogen content in the field, enabling farmers to predict whether grain quality will be achieved and whether late nitrogen applications are required.

> Crop Intelligence System
ADAS is leading Innovate UK feasibility studies to assess whether satellite imagery can be used to generate canopy curves for arable and grass crops in every field. When integrated with soil and weather data this provide a ‘dashboard’ for crop growth, resource availability and light capture to enable improved crop management.

> Multiply
ADAS is a partner in this EU Horizon 2020 project that is developing a platform to integrate satellite data from various sensors into a continuous stream of fully characterized land surface parameters, useful in crop monitoring and modelling.

> Sclerotinia monitoring in oilseed rape
ADAS has worked with BASF to develop a number of online tools to help inform growers on disease risks. These tools, made possible by algorithms developed by ADAS, allow disease risks to be assessed using information from long term studies as well as field specific data.

> Auto-N and Precision application of Nitrogen fertiliser and Plant Growth regulators
Working with partners to develop automated N fertiliser and PGR management approaches by integrating canopy sensing and yield mapping.

>>> Our services include:
> Data Capture
Development of bespoke, innovative methods for quickly assessing and recording environmental conditions in the field using digital technology.

> Remote Sensing
Provision and analysis of satellite images, aerial photography, and additional landscape surveillance data such as LiDAR and Unmanned Aerial Vehicles.

> Data Management
Collation and management of data using a range of software solutions, to provide accessible, secure databases.

> Data Analysis
Analysis and interpretation of data using a combination of expert knowledge of the science and statistical methods to identify relationships and trends that can then be applied to algorithm development.

> Geographic Information Systems (GIS)
Data visualisation, spatial data manipulation and processing, spatial data management and cartographic output. We also offer bespoke GIS solutions to our clients.

> Environmental Modelling
Employment and development of existing and new models to assist the understanding and prediction of environmental scenarios.

> Software Design and Decision Support Tools
Design and installation of software tools based on digital platforms, including websites and mobile devices. We have experience of creating tools for tablets and Toughbooks, as well as mobile phone apps.

> Algorithm Development & independent validation
We develop algorithms that integrate sensing technologies and other data sets to provide information on crop performance and decision support for crop management. We conduct a range of measures and experiments to both calibrate and validate such algorithms.
See: http://www.adas.uk/Service/digital-agronomy
See: http://www.adas.uk/Service/ADAS-Data-Science-and-Digital-Delivery-ADAS-Digital

Contact: Dr Daniel KINDRED
E-mail: daniel.kindred(a)adas.co.uk


SOYL Precision Farming
SOYL provides expert advice, services and support to growers wishing to use Precision Farming techniques to improve the economic, agronomic and environmental performance of their farm business. We help our customers to develop a precision farming system that ensures sustainable production for the future. With more than 40 highly skilled professionals, the SOYL team offers expertise in all aspects of precision farming.
See: http://www.soyl.com/


Agri-EPI Centre, the Agricultural Engineering Precision Innovation Centre
Driving growth and supporting innovative ideas to help farmers and business owners become more profitable and sustainable.
The Agri-EPI Centre delivers research, development, demonstration and training on precision agriculture and engineering for the livestock, arable, horticulture and aquaculture sectors.
Our work focuses on Innovation Hubs and Farm and Processing Centres which:
- Offer one-stop access to leading academic institutions
- Develop exciting new facilities for research and development, demonstration and training
- Initiate ‘Think Tanks’ to coordinate R&D agenda
- Partner researchers, industry & funding
- Develop business incubation facilities at a range of scales
- Provide data for identification of issues/opportunities
- Design, test & demonstrate new technologies in real farm/processing situations
See: https://www.agri-epicentre.com/


F4F Agriculture…
…provides both expertise and a technology solutions framework that is focussed on integrating ALL parts of the agricultural supply-chain and providing custom data-management business solutions. F4F enables manufacturers, logistics partners, distributors, expert advisors and growers to work more effectively together in meeting the challenges of 21st century food production. Our business solutions are designed to service:
- Precision agriculture enablement
- Helping suppliers get closer to their customer
- Providing real time data and delivering custom information services
- Enabling the streamlining of logistics and distribution processes across 3rd parties
- Opening enterprise information and processes to the field
F4F has specialist solutions to help meet the supply-chain challenges in the grain, seed, crop protection and fertiliser sectors.
See: https://www.f4f.com/

European Soil Data Centre Newsletter No.92 (August 2016)
See: http://esdac.jrc.ec.europa.eu/public_path/newsletter/201608.pdf


Listen, then talk with consumers - Jim Ruen
Don't be afraid to communicate by using video of your farm. These farmers view social media as a great way to listen and connect with consumers.
See: http://cornandsoybeandigest.com/marketing/listen-then-talk-consumers


Bayer and Monsanto to create a global leader in agriculture
See: http://farmindustrynews.com/biotech-traits/bayer-and-monsanto-create-global-leader-agriculture-0

The Efita newsletter is sponsored by:

Freedom in Action
See: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lZ5-M0CmYTs


Irish Olympic Sailing commentator has no idea - funny to watch though (to understand... wait for the end)
See: https://youtu.be/3gPjMvTmE2g
Signalé par Luc BECKER
Mél : luc.becker(a)wanadoo.fr


Little Red Riding Hood

Little Red Riding Hood is skipping down the road when she sees the Big Bad Wolf crouched down behind a log.
"My what big eyes you have, Mr Wolf!", says Little Red Riding Hood. The wolf jumps up and runs away!!!

Further down the road Little Red Riding Hood sees the wolf again. This time he is crouched behind a tree stump.
"My what big ears you have Mr Wolf!", says Little Red Riding Hood. Again the wolf jumps up and runs away.

About 2 miles down the track RRH sees the wolf again, this time crouched down behind a road sign. "My what big teeth you have Mr Wolf!", taunts Little Red Riding Hood.

With that the Big Bad Wolf jumps up and screams "Will you leave me alone, I'm trying to have a crap!"


No Brexit for a depressed young woman

A depressed young woman was so desperate that she decided to end her life by throwing herself into the ocean. When she went down to the docks, a handsome young sailor noticed her tears and took pity on her.

"Look, you've got a lot to live for," he said. I'm off to America in the morning, and if you like, I can stow you away on my ship. I'll take good care of you and bring you food every day."

Moving closer, he slipped his arm around her shoulder and added, "I'll keep you happy, and you'll keep me happy."

The girl nodded. After all, what did she have to lose? That night, the sailor brought her aboard and hid her in a life-boat. From then on, every night he brought her three sandwiches and a piece of fruit, and they made passionate love until dawn.

Three weeks later, during a routine search, she was discovered by the captain "What are you doing here?" the Captain asked.

"I have an arrangement with one of the sailors," she explained, "He's taking me to America, and he's screwing me."

"He certainly is," said the Captain. "This is the Dover-Calais ferry."


The distribution of this efita newsletter is sponsored by vitisphere.com
Please, contribute to the content of your efita newsletter, and advertise your events, new publications, new products and new project in this newsletter. Without your support, it will not survive!
Contact: Guy WAKSMAN
E-mail: guy.waksman(a)laposte.net


To read this newsletter on our web site
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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: mickjharkin(a)gmail.com

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