Technology Helping Farmers
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Updated: 8:56 PM Jul 11, 2008
Technology Helping Farmers
The system could potentially save farmers thousands of dollars each year.
Posted: 4:50 PM Jul 11, 2008
Reporter: John Tramontana
Email Address: john.tramontana@wilx.com
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"We're finding that more and more growers are logging in directly."

Logging in to a system that could change the way Michigan farmers grow their crops. It's called Enviro-Weather and it was developed at Michigan State University.

"What farmers are looking for is really where they're at in their production system and what's going on with the weather," said program co-director Mike Brewer.

It's a website with information collected from a small station on campus. A station that measures air temperature wind, rainfall, and even soil conditions in the area. I

It's a tool for farmers to tell you when you should plant and how to maximize your crop value. It's even helping to alert farmers to potentially devastating storms.

"All we want to do is make sure people have forewarning if an event occurs where people are growing plants."

Forewarning that could save nearly 50% of crops typically lost in storms. Farmers just log on to the website www.enviroweather.msu.edu and all the information is there. It'll even tell you when the conditions are right for spraying pesticides.

"Savings right there. Pesticide savings is crucial."

Now in its second year, the project has already doubled its users from 2007. Going forward, experts expect to double the amount this year again. And that could mean savings of thousands of dollars for Mid-Michigan farmers.

The stations are scattered throughout Michigan, each with updated information every half an hour. And as more farmers log on, more stations will pop up.


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