News

Dr. Ian Yule from New Zealand and Dr. Arnold Schumann from Florida will be visiting Dal Agricultural Campus from July 06 to 11, 2014. They will work with Precision Agriculture Research Group led by Dr. Zaman to share ideas about precision agriculture technologies in New Zealand and USA.

Ian Yule is Professor of Precision Agriculture at Massey University, Palmerston North, New Zealand. He is Director of the New Centre for Precision Agriculture at Massey University. Much of his recent work has been dedicated to working in pastoral agriculture in New Zealand's dairy farming and hill country (sheep and beef) sector. He has a long term interest in sensor and measurement technology. He has been involved in a number of areas that have achieved commercial uptake. This includes development of the C-Dax Pasturemeter a tow behind device for measuring pasture mass. He was also involved in the development of soil mapping techniques which help to inform variable rate or precision irrigation technology. This is fast becoming the standard for centre pivot irrigators in New Zealand. Prof Yule's present focus is around remote sensing in hill country to inform nutrient application and improving aerial topdressing technology in order to be able to apply variable rate technology from a topdressing aircraft.

Arnold Schumann is Professor of Precision Agriculture at Citrus Research and Education Centre, University of Florida. Has vast experience in developing VRT to improve citrus production. He developed PA technologies for real-time sensing and fertilize site-specifically based on each tree size. They saved 40% fertilizer in citrus orchards and reduced ground water contamination. He developed very fast computerized 8-channel controller for variable rate applicators to apply agrochemicals for spot applications to increase farm profitability and reduce environmental risks.   He also introduced advanced automated fertigation system for citrus production and disease management. He is adjunct professor in Engineering department, Faculty of Agriculture, Dalhousie University. He is actively involved in precision agriculture research program led by Dr. Zaman at Dal Agricultural Campus to develop precision agriculture technologies for wild blueberry cropping systems.