ARS | Publication request: FARMSUITE, A PATTERN FOR RESEARCH AND TECHNOLOGY TRANSFER

Submitted to: American Peanut Research and Education Society Abstracts
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: April 1, 2002
Publication Date: March 1, 2003

Technical Abstract: FarmSuite is a computerized crop production management system being developed by retired and active agricultural scientists, crop consultants, and expert farmers. It is based upon the latest research and expert knowledge, and is updated on a continuing basis. It is owned and marketed by the Peanut Foundation. It is being developed and marketed through a cooperative research and development agreement (CRADA) between the Peanut Foundation and the USDA, Agricultural Research Service. FarmSuite consists of several models and modules that manage whole farm planning (PNTPLAN), irrigated (Irrigator Pro) and non-irrigated (Dryland Pro) peanut production, peanut harvesting (HarvPro), peanut drying (PECMAN), corn aflatoxin management (CAMS), cotton irrigation, and capital investment. FarmSuite's performance has been outstanding, reducing water and pesticide use 10-20% while increasing net returns by 20-30%. FarmSuite also provides for more efficient research planning, identifying gaps in knowledge and science, and optimizing management inputs to maximize net returns, food quality, and environmental enhancement. FarmSuite is also an outstanding technology transfer and risk assessment tool providing the user with the latest production technology. New concepts and technology included in FarmSuite are discussed, and data are presented to demonstrate the validity and the performance of FarmSuite.