From telegraphs to text messages and rotary dials
to keypads, when it comes to phones, we’re not in
Kansas anymore, Dorothy. Cell phones not only
have revolutionized the way we communicate but
also how we live our lives and do our jobs via cell
phone applications, or apps, as they’ve been dubbed
by all the cool people out there.
When you download an app, it allows you to perform
an additional function on your phone besides
making a call. More and more apps are being developed
and offered to the agriculture industry. Most are free, but some do
charge, in most cases, a nominal fee.
If you Google or Bing “agriculture apps,” you will find that there are a
multitude of them from which to choose – far too many to name in this short
space. However, I’m listing a few to give you an idea of what is out there.
For example, Dr. Natalie Hummel, LSU AgCenter entomologist, recently
announced the release of a beta version of the LSU AgCenter RiceScout
app. “The RiceScout app contains images, descriptions and management
information on insects, diseases and weeds that commonly occur in southeastern
rice-producing states. Information on fertility is also included. The
purpose of the app is to increase the speed and accuracy of rice fertility and
integrated pest management crop decisions,” Hummel says.
Faculty members from LSU AgCenter, University of Arkansas and Texas
AgriLife all made contributions. Special kudos go to LSU AgCenter
research associate specialist in entomology Anna Meszaros, who directed
the project. You can access a Web-based version of the app at:
http://ricescout.lsuagcenter.com. A stand-alone app for the iPhone, iPad
and Android is in development.
Mississippi Extension rice specialist Dr. Nathan Buehring also sent out
a list of apps that he has found helpful in the agriculture world. Some of the
apps that Buehring recommends are as follows:
Intellicast: This app gives you the most up-to-date weather radar information
within the last five minutes, along with the latest forecast.
RiceTec Toolbox: This app is for hybrid rice growers trying to calibrate
grain drills for low seeding rates.
Dupont Tankmix: This app calculates the amount of product to add to the
tank and how much product to order for a certain amount of acres.
Agrian Mobile: This app gives you access to the latest pesticide label
information.
Spray Lite: This app stores and organizes farm spray records.
These ag apps are only a few of many, and more are being developed
everyday. If you have found one that has proved to be beneficial to your
operation, let me know and I will be glad to share it with our readers.
Send your comments to: Editor, Rice Farming Magazine, 1010 June Road, Suite 102, Memphis, Tenn., 38119. Call (901) 767-4020 or e-mail csmith@onegrower.com. |
