Blue River Technology

The 𝗔𝗴𝗿𝗼𝗻𝗼𝗺𝘆 𝗧𝗲𝘀𝘁 𝗠𝗮𝗰𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗲 (ATM) is a #BlueRiverTech (BRT) research tool that mimics commercial #seeandspray performance. This month, we showcase and celebrate students from 5 Ag universities and bring their voices and experiences to you. #agronomy #research #sustainability 𝗨𝗻𝗶𝘃𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗶𝘁𝘆 #𝟱: 𝗩𝗶𝗿𝗴𝗶𝗻𝗶𝗮 𝗧𝗲𝗰𝗵 𝗣𝗿𝗶𝗻𝗰𝗶𝗽𝗮𝗹 𝗜𝗻𝘃𝗲𝘀𝘁𝗶𝗴𝗮𝘁𝗼𝗿: Dr. Michael Flessner 𝗔𝗧𝗠 𝗢𝗽𝗲𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗼𝗿: Wyatt Stutzman, PhD student. 𝟭. 𝗛𝗼𝘄 𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝘂𝘀𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗦𝗲𝗲 & 𝗦𝗽𝗿𝗮𝘆 𝘁𝗲𝗰𝗵 𝗶𝗻 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗿𝗲𝘀𝗲𝗮𝗿𝗰𝗵? We are using See & Spray tech in our research to look at as many different application scenarios as possible to evaluate its performance under differing systems. This includes using different types of nozzles, speeds, management and seedbed preparation styles, and more. Our goal is to make sure See & Spray works under all conditions and if not, understand where to focus efforts to improve it. 𝟮. 𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝗹𝗲𝗮𝗿𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘁𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝘆𝗼𝘂'𝗿𝗲 𝗲𝘅𝗰𝗶𝘁𝗲𝗱 𝘁𝗼 𝘀𝗵𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝗳𝗮𝗿𝗺𝗲𝗿𝘀? We are comparing See & Spray performance in conventional tillage, no-till (winter fallow), and cover crops at early crop stages to look at performance under different systems when weeds could possibly look closest to a crop. This could show the ability of See & Spray to be used under a multitude of management styles at a time when weed control is most important for protecting crop yield. We are also looking at See & Spray with harvest weed seed control (HWSC). Our goal is to look at how well practices like these can complement each other, reducing costs for the farmer and reducing the overall soil weed seed bank levels. 𝟯. 𝗪𝗵𝘆 𝗶𝘀 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗔𝗧𝗠 𝗶𝗺𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁𝗮𝗻𝘁 𝗶𝗻 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗿𝗲𝘀𝗲𝗮𝗿𝗰𝗵? The ATM is very important in that it is a research-scaled version of the See & Spray Ultimate, which allows us to put this technology into a whole multitude of trials, that would be extraordinarily difficult to do at the scale of a commercial unit. With See & Spray, we can evaluate a host of conditions that are only feasible for study on a research scale. Also, 5-gallon tanks can easily be switched, allowing for herbicide and tank-mix comparisons without cleaning out a commercial machine between each treatment. 𝟰. 𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗴𝗲𝘁𝘀 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝗲𝘅𝗰𝗶𝘁𝗲𝗱 𝗮𝗯𝗼𝘂𝘁 𝗦𝗲𝗲 & 𝗦𝗽𝗿𝗮𝘆? See & Spray is exciting because it is not only a new technology, which is exciting in its own sense but also a representation of innovation in our battle for weed control. Just as weeds adapt to management techniques, we have to continue adapting to combat the weeds. 𝟱. 𝗪𝗵𝘆 𝗶𝘀 𝘀𝗺𝗮𝗹𝗹-𝗽𝗹𝗼𝘁 𝗿𝗲𝘀𝗲𝗮𝗿𝗰𝗵 𝗶𝗺𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁𝗮𝗻𝘁? Small plot research is important because it allows us to simulate a greater quantity of situations, environments, techniques, and practices under repeated instances than what would be feasible at larger scales.

The 𝗔𝗴𝗿𝗼𝗻𝗼𝗺𝘆 𝗧𝗲𝘀𝘁 𝗠𝗮𝗰𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗲 (ATM) is a #BlueRiverTech (BRT) research tool that mimics commercial #seeandspray performance. This month, we showcase and celebrate students from 5 Ag universities and bring their voices and experiences to you. #agronomy #research #sustainability 𝗨𝗻𝗶𝘃𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗶𝘁𝘆 #𝟰: 𝗣𝘂𝗿𝗱𝘂𝗲 𝗨𝗻𝗶𝘃𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗶𝘁𝘆 𝗣𝗿𝗶𝗻𝗰𝗶𝗽𝗮𝗹 𝗜𝗻𝘃𝗲𝘀𝘁𝗶𝗴𝗮𝘁𝗼𝗿: Dr. Bryan Young, Professor of Weed Science 𝗔𝗧𝗠 𝗢𝗽𝗲𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗼𝗿: Marcelo Zimmer, Weed Science Program Specialist and PhD student. 𝟭. 𝗛𝗼𝘄 𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝘂𝘀𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗦𝗲𝗲 & 𝗦𝗽𝗿𝗮𝘆 𝘁𝗲𝗰𝗵 𝗶𝗻 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗿𝗲𝘀𝗲𝗮𝗿𝗰𝗵? We are investigating how the use of targeted herbicide application technologies such as the See & Spray can help Indiana row crop growers overcome many of their weed control challenges, including herbicide antagonism and crop injury from postemergence herbicides. 𝟮. 𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝗹𝗲𝗮𝗿𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘁𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝘆𝗼𝘂'𝗿𝗲 𝗲𝘅𝗰𝗶𝘁𝗲𝗱 𝘁𝗼 𝘀𝗵𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝗳𝗮𝗿𝗺𝗲𝗿𝘀? We have learned that the use of a dual tank spray system, such as the one available in the See & Spray Ultimate platform can help us solve the antagonism of clethodim from dicamba on the control of volunteer corn in dicamba-resistant soybeans. Furthermore, we are learning that the See & Spray technology has the potential for reducing the area treated with postemergence herbicides, which can ultimately minimize crop injury from these herbicides used in non-GMO and high oleic soybean varieties, especially when used in combination with strong residual herbicide programs and cover crops. 𝟯. 𝗪𝗵𝘆 𝗶𝘀 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗔𝗧𝗠 𝗶𝗺𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁𝗮𝗻𝘁 𝗶𝗻 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗿𝗲𝘀𝗲𝗮𝗿𝗰𝗵? The Agronomy Test Machine allows us to conduct replicated field research on a smaller scale. This allows data generation to be more time and cost-effective and can speed the flow of operational recommendations to applicators. 𝟰. 𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗴𝗲𝘁𝘀 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝗲𝘅𝗰𝗶𝘁𝗲𝗱 𝗮𝗯𝗼𝘂𝘁 𝗦𝗲𝗲 & 𝗦𝗽𝗿𝗮𝘆? The environmental footprint of agriculture is a controversial topic among different groups. The opportunity to use technology to reduce the use of crop protection inputs may allow for cost savings for growers as well as reduce the environmental impact of agriculture. 𝟱. 𝗪𝗵𝘆 𝗶𝘀 𝘀𝗺𝗮𝗹𝗹-𝗽𝗹𝗼𝘁 𝗿𝗲𝘀𝗲𝗮𝗿𝗰𝗵 𝗶𝗺𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁𝗮𝗻𝘁? Small-plot research allows us to test multiple concepts/treatments in a much smaller area with better control of field variables to more effectively validate the usefulness of different technologies/products at a lower cost and quicker turnaround time. 

The 𝗔𝗴𝗿𝗼𝗻𝗼𝗺𝘆 𝗧𝗲𝘀𝘁 𝗠𝗮𝗰𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗲 (ATM) is a #BlueRiverTech (BRT) research tool that mimics commercial #seeandspray performance. This month, we showcase and celebrate students from 5 Ag universities and bring their voices and experiences to you. #agronomy #research #sustainability 𝗨𝗻𝗶𝘃𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗶𝘁𝘆 #𝟯: 𝗡𝗼𝗿𝘁𝗵 𝗖𝗮𝗿𝗼𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗮 𝗦𝘁𝗮𝘁𝗲 𝗨𝗻𝗶𝘃𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗶𝘁𝘆 𝗣𝗿𝗶𝗻𝗰𝗶𝗽𝗮𝗹 𝗜𝗻𝘃𝗲𝘀𝘁𝗶𝗴𝗮𝘁𝗼𝗿: Dr. Wesley Everman, Prof & Extension Weed Specialist. 𝗔𝗧𝗠 𝗢𝗽𝗲𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗼𝗿: Diego Contreras, PhD student 𝟭. 𝗛𝗼𝘄 𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝘂𝘀𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗦𝗲𝗲 & 𝗦𝗽𝗿𝗮𝘆 𝘁𝗲𝗰𝗵 𝗶𝗻 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗿𝗲𝘀𝗲𝗮𝗿𝗰𝗵? Effective weed management relies on the implementation of a diverse array of tools or strategies, rather than depending on a single weed control method. See & Spray technology can represent a critical component in this integrated approach to weed control. Its effectiveness can be enhanced when used in conjunction with various complementary weed control strategies. My research projects aim to explore the interactions between See & Spray technology and other weed management practices. These projects investigate aspects such as the duration and efficacy of residual herbicide control, the effectiveness of multiple postemergence herbicide options and configurations, and the incorporation of cover crops within soybean production systems. 𝟮. 𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝗹𝗲𝗮𝗿𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘁𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝘆𝗼𝘂'𝗿𝗲 𝗲𝘅𝗰𝗶𝘁𝗲𝗱 𝘁𝗼 𝘀𝗵𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝗳𝗮𝗿𝗺𝗲𝗿𝘀? It is challenging to fully capture the plethora of learning opportunities I have encountered through my experience with See & Spray. Although there have been numerous valuable insights gained, I am particularly enthusiastic about the results related to its effectiveness in combination with other integrated weed control strategies. Although the research is still in its early stages, the preliminary results are very promising. 𝟯. 𝗪𝗵𝘆 𝗶𝘀 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗔𝗧𝗠 𝗶𝗺𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁𝗮𝗻𝘁 𝗶𝗻 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗿𝗲𝘀𝗲𝗮𝗿𝗰𝗵? In exploring integrated weed control strategies, the ATM has enabled me to evaluate See & Spray in a way that introduces a new level of sustainability compared to traditional systems. The ATM has been instrumental in testing the effectiveness of See & Spray technology on a smaller, more manageable scale. 𝟰. 𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗴𝗲𝘁𝘀 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝗲𝘅𝗰𝗶𝘁𝗲𝗱 𝗮𝗯𝗼𝘂𝘁 𝗦𝗲𝗲 & 𝗦𝗽𝗿𝗮𝘆? The promising results we have observed in our research trials. These positive outcomes inspire a strong sense of optimism regarding the technology's potential to benefit farmers through effective weed control and significant pesticide savings. 𝟱. 𝗪𝗵𝘆 𝗶𝘀 𝘀𝗺𝗮𝗹𝗹-𝗽𝗹𝗼𝘁 𝗿𝗲𝘀𝗲𝗮𝗿𝗰𝗵 𝗶𝗺𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁𝗮𝗻𝘁? Because it allows us to test a wide range of variables within a compact and controlled environment. While farm-scale trials are also valuable, small-plot experiments provide a practical and cost-effective platform for exploring a greater number of questions and experimental conditions.

The 𝗔𝗴𝗿𝗼𝗻𝗼𝗺𝘆 𝗧𝗲𝘀𝘁 𝗠𝗮𝗰𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗲 (ATM) is a #BlueRiverTech (BRT) research tool that mimics commercial #seeandspray performance. This month, we will showcase and celebrate students from 5 Ag universities and bring their voices and experiences to you. #agronomy #research #sustainability 𝗨𝗻𝗶𝘃𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗶𝘁𝘆 #𝟮: 𝗨𝗻𝗶𝘃𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗶𝘁𝘆 𝗼𝗳 𝗧𝗲𝗻𝗻𝗲𝘀𝘀𝗲𝗲 𝗣𝗿𝗶𝗻𝗰𝗶𝗽𝗮𝗹 𝗜𝗻𝘃𝗲𝘀𝘁𝗶𝗴𝗮𝘁𝗼𝗿: Dr. Larry Steckel, Professor and Extension Weed Scientist 𝗔𝗧𝗠 𝗢𝗽𝗲𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗼𝗿: Jared Buck, Research Technician 𝟭. 𝗛𝗼𝘄 𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝘂𝘀𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗦𝗲𝗲 & 𝗦𝗽𝗿𝗮𝘆 𝘁𝗲𝗰𝗵 𝗶𝗻 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗿𝗲𝘀𝗲𝗮𝗿𝗰𝗵? The research we are conducting with See & Spray is designed to evaluate if this technology can assist Tennessee farmers in becoming more sustainable on two fronts. First, research is designed to determine if this technology can assist growers in managing herbicide-resistant weeds. Second, research is designed to examine if this new technology can help farmers continue to use critically needed herbicides while at the same time mitigate exposure to threatened or endangered species. 𝟮. 𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝗹𝗲𝗮𝗿𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘁𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝘆𝗼𝘂'𝗿𝗲 𝗲𝘅𝗰𝗶𝘁𝗲𝗱 𝘁𝗼 𝘀𝗵𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝗳𝗮𝗿𝗺𝗲𝗿𝘀? On the herbicide resistance front, we are evaluating if Palmer amaranth that is dicamba-resistant can more effectively be controlled with a split application where Liberty is over-sprayed and dicamba is applied with See and Spray compared with a tank mix of those two herbicides. Preliminary results would suggest that utilizing the See & Spray is more effective than utilizing a tank mix. On the regulatory front, new regulation currently in development by the EPA will mandate herbicide off-target mitigation strategies. We have conducted research demonstrating that atrazine applied with See & Spray technology can be one of those mitigation strategies. 𝟯. 𝗪𝗵𝘆 𝗶𝘀 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗔𝗧𝗠 𝗶𝗺𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁𝗮𝗻𝘁 𝗶𝗻 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗿𝗲𝘀𝗲𝗮𝗿𝗰𝗵? It allows an avenue of research that heretofore was not possible. It allows us to conduct research that more closely resembles large commercial sprayers with technology and application speeds. This should help us more easily translate small plot research results to commercial sprayers that Tennessee growers may use. 𝟰. 𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗴𝗲𝘁𝘀 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝗲𝘅𝗰𝗶𝘁𝗲𝗱 𝗮𝗯𝗼𝘂𝘁 𝗦𝗲𝗲 & 𝗦𝗽𝗿𝗮𝘆? The opportunity to examine how this technology can help Tennessee farmers better control herbicide-resistant weeds and help mitigate off-target threats to endangered species is very exciting. 𝟱. 𝗪𝗵𝘆 𝗶𝘀 𝘀𝗺𝗮𝗹𝗹-𝗽𝗹𝗼𝘁 𝗿𝗲𝘀𝗲𝗮𝗿𝗰𝗵 𝗶𝗺𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁𝗮𝗻𝘁? Small plot research allows experiments to be conducted on small, uniform experimental areas that minimize variability compared with research conducted on large acreages. In this way, one can measure true treatment differences and not have those differences masked by topography, differences in soil type, drainage, etc.

The 𝗔𝗴𝗿𝗼𝗻𝗼𝗺𝘆 𝗧𝗲𝘀𝘁 𝗠𝗮𝗰𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗲 (ATM) is a #BlueRiverTech (BRT) research tool that mimics commercial #seeandspray performance. Lauren Lazaro, BRT Sr. Agronomist, leads ATM university research, which utilizes academic partners to conduct research in different geographies to maximize the farmer benefits this technology delivers. This month, we will showcase and celebrate students from 5 Ag universities and bring their voices and experiences to you.  #agronomy #research #sustainability 𝗨𝗻𝗶𝘃𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗶𝘁𝘆: 𝗨𝗻𝗶𝘃𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗶𝘁𝘆 𝗼𝗳 𝗔𝗿𝗸𝗮𝗻𝘀𝗮𝘀 𝗣𝗿𝗶𝗻𝗰𝗶𝗽𝗮𝗹 𝗜𝗻𝘃𝗲𝘀𝘁𝗶𝗴𝗮𝘁𝗼𝗿: Dr. Jason Norsworthy, Distinguished Professor and Elms Farming Chair of Weed Science. 𝗔𝗧𝗠 𝗢𝗽𝗲𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗼𝗿: Tristen Avent, PhD student 𝟭. 𝗛𝗼𝘄 𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝘂𝘀𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗦𝗲𝗲 & 𝗦𝗽𝗿𝗮𝘆 𝘁𝗲𝗰𝗵 𝗶𝗻 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗿𝗲𝘀𝗲𝗮𝗿𝗰𝗵? We use the ATM to determine the technology’s fit within mid-southern U.S. row crop production. We evaluate trials to compare traditional approaches to See & Spray applications measuring efficacy and economics. 𝟮. 𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝗹𝗲𝗮𝗿𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘁𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝘆𝗼𝘂'𝗿𝗲 𝗲𝘅𝗰𝗶𝘁𝗲𝗱 𝘁𝗼 𝘀𝗵𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝗳𝗮𝗿𝗺𝗲𝗿𝘀? See & Spray can provide comparable control to traditional broadcast applications utilizing specific machine settings. Additionally, these settings can drastically influence both savings and efficacy with this technology. So far, it appears that residuals should not be applied through See & Spray, but research is still ongoing. 𝟯. 𝗪𝗵𝘆 𝗶𝘀 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗔𝗧𝗠 𝗶𝗺𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁𝗮𝗻𝘁 𝗶𝗻 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗿𝗲𝘀𝗲𝗮𝗿𝗰𝗵? The ATM provides an opportunity to test this technology on a research scale, allowing for treatment flexibility and efficiency. 𝟰. 𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗴𝗲𝘁𝘀 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝗲𝘅𝗰𝗶𝘁𝗲𝗱 𝗮𝗯𝗼𝘂𝘁 𝗦𝗲𝗲 & 𝗦𝗽𝗿𝗮𝘆? See & Spray provides farmers with an opportunity to improve their environmental stewardship and could reduce input costs. 𝟱. 𝗪𝗵𝘆 𝗶𝘀 𝘀𝗺𝗮𝗹𝗹-𝗽𝗹𝗼𝘁 𝗿𝗲𝘀𝗲𝗮𝗿𝗰𝗵 𝗶𝗺𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁𝗮𝗻𝘁? Small-plot research allows us to compare multiple treatments within a condensed area. All research is conducted with an objective in mind, and scaling down to an ATM provides efficiency and feasibility to answer our research questions.

Celebrating #WomenAtBlueRiver, we spotlight Rachael Putnam, #BlueRiverTech Lead Systems Engineer! You can learn more about Rachael & what Women's History Month means to her. #womenshistorymonth #womenintech #autonomy #inclusion #diversity #empowerment

Celebrating #WomenAtBlueRiver, we spotlight Lauren Lazaro, #BlueRiverTech Senior Agronomist! You can learn more about Lauren & what Women's History Month means to her. #womenshistorymonth #womenintech #agronomy #inclusion #diversity #empowerment

Celebrating #WomenAtBlueRiver, we spotlight Cathy Sun, #BlueRiverTech Product Manager! Learn more about Cathy & what Women's History Month means to her. #womenshistorymonth #womenintech #productmanager #inclusion #diversity #empowerment

🌟 Celebrating the Women of #BlueRiverTech 🌟 This International Women's Day and throughout Women's History Month, we proudly honor the incredible achievements, contributions, and resilience of the phenomenal #WomenAtBlueRiver! From driving innovation to fostering collaboration, their dedication, leadership, and passion inspire us every day to strive for excellence and create a more inclusive and equitable workplace for all. Together, we continue to empower, support, and uplift each other towards a brighter, more inclusive future. #InternationalWomensDay #WomensHistoryMonth #WomenInTech #iwd2024 #Inclusion #Diversity #empowerment

#JohnDeere CTO, Jahmy Hindman shares more about the power of See & Spray Ultimate. Tech developed by #BlueRiverTech, John Deere subsidiary. Via #FarmJournal