Enviro-weather: A Weather-based pest and crop management information system for Michigan J. Andresen, L. Olsen, T. Aichele, B. Bishop, J. Brown, J. Landis, S. Marquie, and A. Pollyea

Enviro-weather Mission Enviro-weather is an interactive information system linking real-time weather data, forecasts, and biological and other process-based models for assistance in operational decision-making and risk management associated with Michigan’s agriculture and natural resource industries.

System Basics 8 Full- and part-time staff 77 automated weather stations across MI and WI Dedicated computer system for collection, processing, dissemination, and archival of data System supported by MI Project GREEEN, MI AgBioResearch, MSU Extension, external grants, corporate/individual sponsorships, and grower contributions

Automated Weather Network via cell modem MSU Enviro-weather National Weather Service forecast information via satellite, Internet MSU Extension Information for Growers/ Managers via Internet via phone, Internet, other via Internet Scouting Input Evaluated Weather, Climate Applications and Products Training Feedback Loop: Problems, Needs, New Ideas Enviro-weather Information Flow

Enviro-weather Product Types Enviro-weather Plant phenology models Pest models Irrigation management models Weather summaries

Enviro-weather Automated Weather Network March 2013

Weather Monitoring Variables monitored include air and soil temps, rel. hum., precip., solar rad., wind speed and dir., leaf wetness, and soil moisture Network utilizes cell IP modems Obs. available at 5 min., 1 hour, and 24 hour intervals New sites sponsored by grants, grower contributions

Adding New Products Enviro-Weather system is modular in design to accommodate new products Potential new products identified by work groups or staff/faculty Product check list –Method based on sound science –Method tested/validated under Michigan or similar conditions –Method usable with Enviro-Weather data, system

System Use Statistics

Tree Fruit Survey Results

Survey of Michigan Fruit Growers and the Economic Value of Enviro-weather StratumDescriptionNnn-cresp rateweight 1apples gt 1 acre % tarts gt 1 acre % sweets gt 1 acre % apples ge 100 acres % tarts ge 100 acres % sweets ge 50 acres %1.455 total %

Usage of EW n% Running % Yes, I use it myself I do not, but my fieldman/consultant does No n% Running % I have never heard of Enviro-weather I have heard of Enviro-weather, but have not visited the website I have no Internet access I have tried to use Enviro-weather, but it is not useful for me Other, please specify Total If no…

What types of internet connection do you have? n% Running % Dialup247.8 Broadband (DSL/Cable) Smartphone (Cellular) Satellite Dialup and broadband Dialup and smartphone Broadband and smartphone Smartphone and satellite Broadband, smartphone & satellite Total N=343

How useful is EW?

EW Impacts on Crop Output: Insecticides

Impact of EW on Number of Insecticide Sprays * Denotes statistically different from zero

EW Impacts on Crop Output: Fungicides

Impact of EW on Number of Fungicide Sprays * Denotes statistically different from zero

EW Impact on Work Hours n% Running % Decreased it by more than 15 or more134.8 Decreased it by 10 hours Decreased it by 5 hours No effect Increased it by 5 hours Increased it by 10 hours Increased it by 15 or more hours How has using Enviro-weather products changed the amount of time required to manage your crop during an average work-week during the growing season? Quantifying the impact on work hours based on $15 per hour for all apple, tart and sweet cherry growers, this amounts to a per grower savings of 750 work hours and $11,250.

Economic Impacts on Production and Costs Michigan NASS 2001 BasesImpacts on Yield ProductionValueUse EWProductionValueProductionValue mill lbs$000s % mill lbs$000smill lbs$000s Apples590114,87525%14027, Tart Cherries13526,60539%519, Sweet Cherries309,51537%113, Impacts are based on rates of adopting EW by commodity and average experienced yield impacts by commodity Does not account for quality impacts, which tend to exceed those of yield Michigan production increases by 7 million lbs Michigan sales increase and costs savings result in statewide economic impact of $1,786,000

Future Directions Continued research, new product development Conversion of dataloggers (CR10X to CR1000) Revenue generation (value added apps, e.g. smart phone) Increasing use of NWS gridded products –Real time obs. (RTMA) –Forecast products (NDFD) Inclusion of climatological statistics in system products

Summary Demand for detailed weather information in IPM is increasing Weather-based applications have large potential economic and environmental value Sustainable funding mechanisms still needed, including grower contributions

Questions?