1 00:00:00,140 --> 00:00:04,460 Intro: The following program is brought to you by the Tennessee Broadband Association. 2 00:00:04,880 --> 00:00:10,580 Lead Tennessee Radio, conversations with the leaders moving our state forward. 3 00:00:10,610 --> 00:00:18,170 We look at the issues shaping Tennessee's future: rural development, public policy, broadband, 4 00:00:18,200 --> 00:00:22,760 healthcare and other topics impacting our communities. 5 00:00:23,330 --> 00:00:27,830 Carrie Huckeby: Hello, I'm Carrie Huckeby, the executive director of the Tennessee Broadband Association. 6 00:00:27,830 --> 00:00:35,450 And tomorrow kicks off National Agriculture Week with March 21st designated as National Agriculture 7 00:00:35,450 --> 00:00:42,710 Day. So on this episode of Lead Tennessee Radio, it seems only fitting to talk about technology and precision 8 00:00:42,710 --> 00:00:46,070 agriculture. What part does it play in putting food on the table? 9 00:00:46,700 --> 00:00:52,730 Why is it important to farming sustainability here in Tennessee, the nation and globally? 10 00:00:52,760 --> 00:00:56,780 Well, my guest will be helping us understand these very things. 11 00:00:56,780 --> 00:01:04,650 Dr. Lori Duncan is Associate Professor of Row Crop Sustainability Specialist Biosystems Engineering and Soil 12 00:01:04,650 --> 00:01:07,020 Science at the University of Tennessee. 13 00:01:07,020 --> 00:01:14,820 And she's one of the few in the country focused on row crop sustainability and spends a lot of her time boots on the 14 00:01:14,820 --> 00:01:19,550 ground, out in the field, literally working and talking with Tennessee farmers. 15 00:01:19,560 --> 00:01:25,710 She also provides support to the extension agents in all 95 counties across the state. 16 00:01:25,710 --> 00:01:29,810 So she's a very busy person, and I'm thrilled she's joined us. 17 00:01:29,820 --> 00:01:32,000 Welcome, Lori. It's good to have you here. 18 00:01:32,010 --> 00:01:34,770 Dr. Lori Duncan: Hi, Carrie. Thanks for having me and for that introduction. 19 00:01:34,920 --> 00:01:36,000 Carrie Huckeby: You're welcome. 20 00:01:36,000 --> 00:01:43,110 Well, for those that may not be familiar with the term "precision agriculture" or sometimes called "smart farming," or 21 00:01:43,110 --> 00:01:50,940 those that haven't really thought about how technology, broadband and farming go together, tell us what it is and 22 00:01:50,940 --> 00:01:55,890 describe some of the technology or the platforms that fall under that definition. 23 00:01:56,160 --> 00:02:03,780 Dr. Lori Duncan: Sure. So most people that aren't directly involved in agriculture have preconceived notions of farmers and 24 00:02:03,780 --> 00:02:10,950 farms in the US, and they don't realize the level of sophistication and technology that we're using on so many farms 25 00:02:10,950 --> 00:02:11,970 in Tennessee. 26 00:02:12,630 --> 00:02:20,130 Precision agriculture is a concept where we measure variability within a crop field or a livestock herd, and we 27 00:02:20,130 --> 00:02:24,570 respond to that in a site specific or an animal specific manner. 28 00:02:24,690 --> 00:02:32,370 So instead of applying fertilizer at the same rate over a field, we can actually vary that rate across the field, only 29 00:02:32,370 --> 00:02:35,880 applying what is required in the place where we've measured it. 30 00:02:36,540 --> 00:02:43,910 With robotic milkers, dairies can collect animal specific data to assist in handling nutrition specific to each cow. 31 00:02:43,920 --> 00:02:49,170 So the level of sophistication that we're to now, I think is surprising to a lot of people. 32 00:02:49,980 --> 00:02:57,930 Carrie Huckeby: I agree. I was reading an article a few weeks ago that one of our telcos had put in their regional telco magazine, and it was 33 00:02:57,930 --> 00:03:03,450 all about dairy farming and how specific they could be with milk production. 34 00:03:04,200 --> 00:03:10,920 So I hadn't really thought about, you know, I'd thought more about crops, but I hadn't really thought about the dairy industry 35 00:03:10,920 --> 00:03:15,000 and precision tools and methods. 36 00:03:15,000 --> 00:03:22,320 Dr. Lori Duncan: Yeah, I deal mostly in row crops, but we have plenty of faculty that focus on precision livestock 37 00:03:22,320 --> 00:03:30,270 farming. And it is interesting the amount of technologies they have now, specifically 38 00:03:30,270 --> 00:03:35,190 in poultry farms, dairy farms and a lot of beef cattle now. 39 00:03:36,180 --> 00:03:44,160 Carrie Huckeby: Well, you mentioned the fertilizer and being able to determine which parts of the field need 40 00:03:44,160 --> 00:03:46,050 the fertilizer. 41 00:03:46,050 --> 00:03:49,740 What other things fall under precision agriculture? 42 00:03:49,740 --> 00:03:51,240 What are some of the other tools? 43 00:03:51,280 --> 00:03:57,690 I think I've read about GPS, which that's probably used for water and fertilizer. 44 00:03:58,080 --> 00:04:00,840 What are some of the other tools that are used under precision agriculture? 45 00:04:02,040 --> 00:04:03,270 Dr. Lori Duncan: Oh man, there's so many. 46 00:04:03,270 --> 00:04:08,490 So yeah, GPS was kind of the foundation of precision agriculture. 47 00:04:09,450 --> 00:04:17,220 So we have to know where we are in a field so we can know where to apply the input, whether it be seed or 48 00:04:17,220 --> 00:04:19,740 water or fertilizer or herbicide. 49 00:04:20,010 --> 00:04:27,660 And so, yeah, GPS, you know, back in the 90s really started off this big push towards the 50 00:04:27,660 --> 00:04:30,330 ability to do precision agriculture. 51 00:04:30,570 --> 00:04:37,410 And so now we see a lot of auto guidance, which is, you know, where we can have autonomous tractors ultimately. 52 00:04:37,410 --> 00:04:43,170 But right now, you know, it can self drive, or it can keep us within a row. 53 00:04:43,170 --> 00:04:47,400 So we are driving our tractor exactly where it needs to be. 54 00:04:47,880 --> 00:04:49,830 And we also have drones now. 55 00:04:49,830 --> 00:04:53,100 And that's been a big thing in the last 5 to 10 years. 56 00:04:53,100 --> 00:04:57,360 So we have drones that monitor our crops for crop health. 57 00:04:57,360 --> 00:05:03,490 It can identify a spot in the field that's maybe doing poorly that we can't see from the edge. 58 00:05:03,700 --> 00:05:11,560 So there's a lot of technologies that kind of fall under that precision ag umbrella, including 59 00:05:11,590 --> 00:05:13,060 temporal things. 60 00:05:13,060 --> 00:05:16,810 So irrigation scheduling is a big one. 61 00:05:16,810 --> 00:05:24,250 If we want to know when to irrigate a crop, we can use soil moisture sensors in the ground that can communicate with that 62 00:05:24,250 --> 00:05:28,840 center pivot and actually trigger that irrigation event. 63 00:05:29,710 --> 00:05:37,330 Carrie Huckeby: The tools that are out there today to help be more efficient and more productive, it's still amazes me, even when 64 00:05:37,570 --> 00:05:39,730 I read about it and hear about it. 65 00:05:40,390 --> 00:05:47,830 And I saw some stats from Farm Bureau the other day, and I was surprised to learn that there are almost 70,000 66 00:05:47,830 --> 00:05:54,040 farms in our state alone and that 40% of our land mass is farms. 67 00:05:54,160 --> 00:05:59,870 That average acreage, I think reported, was around 154 acres. 68 00:05:59,870 --> 00:06:04,160 There was 64% crops, 36% livestock. 69 00:06:04,160 --> 00:06:11,510 But I know as we talked a little earlier about hobby farming, you know, there's the agritourism, community 70 00:06:11,510 --> 00:06:13,460 gardens, things like that. 71 00:06:13,460 --> 00:06:20,360 But in your opinion, does it matter how large or small the farm is, whether they can use these smart farming 72 00:06:20,390 --> 00:06:28,250 techniques? And I imagine sustainability is important no matter the acreage or whether they've been farming five years or 50 73 00:06:28,250 --> 00:06:28,910 years. 74 00:06:29,030 --> 00:06:30,470 Dr. Lori Duncan: Yeah, exactly. 75 00:06:30,650 --> 00:06:38,090 I mean, I think any farm, regardless of size or commodity, can utilize these techniques, these smart farming techniques. 76 00:06:38,090 --> 00:06:44,720 And some of the technologies do lend themselves to larger acreages, just due to scale and the ROI. 77 00:06:44,750 --> 00:06:52,250 So if you have, you know, more production ground that you're spreading that input, that capital cost over, 78 00:06:52,580 --> 00:06:55,640 then you know, your payback period will be shorter. 79 00:06:56,210 --> 00:07:04,190 But I mean, we can, you know, you can soil test gardens in a very small grid size and be able to apply, you know, 80 00:07:04,190 --> 00:07:10,640 fertilizers very specifically to individual plants, individual sections of your garden. 81 00:07:11,060 --> 00:07:16,520 And so I definitely think that we can scale these technologies. 82 00:07:16,910 --> 00:07:23,300 You know, sometimes we have issues making these technologies work to the fullest capability. 83 00:07:23,480 --> 00:07:28,370 And one of the issues we have is we need a method of wireless communication. 84 00:07:30,170 --> 00:07:36,770 So some of these different products on the market, say for irrigation or GPS collars on 85 00:07:36,770 --> 00:07:44,660 cattle, farmers are having to use cell phone modems that are dedicated for that one purpose or some of these 86 00:07:44,660 --> 00:07:48,410 things use Bluetooth or radio communications. 87 00:07:48,680 --> 00:07:53,270 But ultimately we have to have Internet access to get that data back to the farmer. 88 00:07:53,510 --> 00:08:00,470 Many of these things are app based, and so to get that information to the farmer who needs to make the ultimate decision 89 00:08:00,470 --> 00:08:06,170 on whatever the management is at that point, you know, we have to have Internet. 90 00:08:06,170 --> 00:08:12,020 So some of our rural parts of the state, that's still a very real challenge for us, as you well know. 91 00:08:12,200 --> 00:08:19,910 Carrie Huckeby: Right. And we talked about that a little bit before the podcast, that there are spots in Tennessee without or 92 00:08:19,910 --> 00:08:21,650 limited broadband access. 93 00:08:21,650 --> 00:08:26,060 And our members are working, you know, to ensure that that gets solved. 94 00:08:26,900 --> 00:08:34,880 So I know the limited connectivity, and plus sounds like there's the need for wireless devices 95 00:08:34,880 --> 00:08:39,950 to also make that work, that that's a challenge that's still evolving. 96 00:08:41,390 --> 00:08:49,220 What are some of the other hurdles, though, besides the connectivity, what are other things to overcome for 97 00:08:49,220 --> 00:08:55,190 the ag community in order to utilize the technology or to make changes to their operations? 98 00:08:55,190 --> 00:09:00,860 Are there other things that hold them back from accepting it? 99 00:09:02,370 --> 00:09:10,350 Dr. Lori Duncan: Yeah. Mean think the high initial cost of any kind of technology is a barrier. 100 00:09:10,680 --> 00:09:18,120 We've seen a lot of technologies come down in price, which is interesting because at the same time we're 101 00:09:18,120 --> 00:09:21,930 seeing things like fertilizer and seed prices increasing substantially. 102 00:09:23,580 --> 00:09:25,890 So at some point there's a trade off there. 103 00:09:25,890 --> 00:09:28,860 But, you know, we've also seen with drones. 104 00:09:28,860 --> 00:09:36,720 For example, I purchased an airplane style fixed wing drone, and I'd say 6 or 7 years ago, 105 00:09:36,720 --> 00:09:39,540 maybe a little bit longer, for a $30,000. 106 00:09:39,540 --> 00:09:43,350 And that same product today is only worth $9,000. 107 00:09:43,350 --> 00:09:50,220 So there's been, you know, as technologies come out and evolve, we're going to see those prices drop off. 108 00:09:50,370 --> 00:09:58,150 So I would say the capital costs of getting into some kind of high level of technology is a real barrier. 109 00:09:58,150 --> 00:10:05,950 And also education, you know, some of our farmers just aren't familiar with some of these technologies and just 110 00:10:05,950 --> 00:10:07,870 need more exposure to them. 111 00:10:08,590 --> 00:10:10,960 I've had a lot more calls recently. 112 00:10:11,110 --> 00:10:19,090 Like I said, I work primarily with row crops, but more recently, I get a lot of calls from our agents in counties with a 113 00:10:19,090 --> 00:10:26,860 lot of cattle farmers, and they're wanting to look at guidance options as they spray and fertilize their pastures 114 00:10:27,580 --> 00:10:35,560 and hay ground. So I think that just having that exposure and knowing they have somebody 115 00:10:35,560 --> 00:10:39,080 to call on for help is really important. 116 00:10:39,160 --> 00:10:40,600 Carrie Huckeby: Yes, I agree. 117 00:10:40,630 --> 00:10:48,050 Have you found in your research with, you said you concentrate on row crop, 118 00:10:48,050 --> 00:10:54,010 have you found that there's one row crop that does better with the technology than another? 119 00:10:54,010 --> 00:10:58,330 Or does it affect cotton, corn, soybeans all the same? 120 00:10:59,140 --> 00:11:07,000 Dr. Lori Duncan: I mean, I think that, you know, with certain crops like corn, it requires quite a bit of nitrogen, which 121 00:11:07,000 --> 00:11:10,480 is, you know, environmentally sensitive to put on a lot of nitrogen. 122 00:11:10,930 --> 00:11:12,880 It's also really expensive. 123 00:11:13,330 --> 00:11:19,810 You know, we see a lot more benefit with certain technologies, like variable rate application. 124 00:11:20,380 --> 00:11:23,560 So I think they all benefit. 125 00:11:23,620 --> 00:11:31,390 I don't see any crop that doesn't benefit from these technologies, but some more so than others. 126 00:11:31,390 --> 00:11:38,890 Carrie Huckeby: Makes sense. Another Farm Bureau stat I saw says that farming has a current economic impact of 127 00:11:38,890 --> 00:11:40,660 $81 billion. 128 00:11:40,660 --> 00:11:42,510 I mean, that's billion. 129 00:11:42,520 --> 00:11:43,810 It's amazing. 130 00:11:44,140 --> 00:11:51,700 If farms are using these precision ag tools like the auto guidance, precision irrigation, I even saw 131 00:11:51,730 --> 00:11:59,650 machine fleet analytics, is their data showing the expected impact technology will have 132 00:11:59,650 --> 00:12:03,700 on crop production maybe in the next five years or even ten years? 133 00:12:03,910 --> 00:12:07,840 Is that one of the things that you talk about and research? 134 00:12:08,260 --> 00:12:10,000 Dr. Lori Duncan: Yeah, absolutely. 135 00:12:10,020 --> 00:12:17,650 And it's, you know, the data is going to be very specific to that technology, but Precision AG is all about increasing 136 00:12:17,650 --> 00:12:25,420 efficiency. So that means that we're optimizing the level of production, whether that's higher yields, better quality forage, 137 00:12:25,420 --> 00:12:32,620 healthier livestock, whatever that commodity is, we're optimizing it to the amount of inputs we're going to put into the 138 00:12:32,620 --> 00:12:39,880 system. So from that economic standpoint, this means our farmers are optimizing their inputs instead of 139 00:12:39,880 --> 00:12:46,990 oversupplying. Sometimes that means they buy less fertilizer or less seed, sometimes it means they buy more. 140 00:12:47,440 --> 00:12:52,980 The bottom line is that they're making better use of those products where they are needed and when they are needed. 141 00:12:52,990 --> 00:13:00,250 So lending from that to the environmental perspective, this means that more of the fertilizers, more of the 142 00:13:00,250 --> 00:13:06,760 herbicides, more of the irrigation water is used where it's needed, and it's not running off into our waterways. 143 00:13:07,330 --> 00:13:09,090 Carrie Huckeby: Which is very important. 144 00:13:09,100 --> 00:13:10,660 Dr. Lori Duncan: Yes, very important. 145 00:13:10,660 --> 00:13:12,310 Carrie Huckeby: And so break that down. 146 00:13:12,310 --> 00:13:16,210 What does that mean to me as the average Tennessee consumer? 147 00:13:16,390 --> 00:13:24,100 If the farmers are using these kind of technologies, and it's being more efficient, does that 148 00:13:24,100 --> 00:13:27,970 mean lower food costs for me at the grocery store? 149 00:13:28,650 --> 00:13:36,530 Dr. Lori Duncan: I mean, I think that you can make the argument that at one point it would, if the farmers are getting to optimize, you know, 150 00:13:36,580 --> 00:13:37,810 their inputs. 151 00:13:37,810 --> 00:13:44,290 But I think it means that we, as a society, are doing a better job. 152 00:13:45,250 --> 00:13:53,200 So we're optimizing those yields in that product and doing less harm to 153 00:13:53,200 --> 00:13:54,310 the environment. 154 00:13:55,000 --> 00:13:58,420 So that means, you know, better drinking water for all of us. 155 00:13:58,450 --> 00:14:03,010 That means, you know, better products for all of us. 156 00:14:03,010 --> 00:14:10,970 So think that, you know, you can make the argument that it could make a price difference, but ultimately, I 157 00:14:10,970 --> 00:14:18,190 think, us moving forward as a society and being sensitive to the limited resources we have 158 00:14:18,790 --> 00:14:22,360 is what we're seeing in agriculture right now. 159 00:14:22,870 --> 00:14:26,370 Carrie Huckeby: Yeah, it's all about the sustainability part, I think. 160 00:14:27,080 --> 00:14:35,050 Yeah. Well, for the hobby farmer or the full-time farmer, the wannabe farmer out there interested, 161 00:14:35,050 --> 00:14:42,910 if they want to learn more about sustainability, how to keep their farm viable, do they contact their local extension agent 162 00:14:42,910 --> 00:14:49,690 or where do they find these resources to learn more about what you're doing every day and the benefits of your research? 163 00:14:50,080 --> 00:14:54,370 Dr. Lori Duncan: Yes, please visit your local Tennessee extension agent. 164 00:14:54,400 --> 00:15:00,700 We have University of Tennessee and Tennessee State University extension agents in every county across the state. 165 00:15:00,700 --> 00:15:07,330 So all you have to do is Google UT or TSU extension and your county name, and their website will come up. 166 00:15:07,330 --> 00:15:10,750 But they are a wealth of knowledge themselves. 167 00:15:10,930 --> 00:15:18,650 I can focus on my specific subject matter, but they are so knowledgeable in 168 00:15:18,650 --> 00:15:26,560 every area, and then they can get you in contact with myself or any of the other subject matter experts at the university. 169 00:15:26,570 --> 00:15:33,740 They can also connect you to resources like the local FSA office, NRCS office, anything like that. 170 00:15:33,740 --> 00:15:41,120 They've got those local relationships and connections that really is meaningful and impactful to the 171 00:15:41,120 --> 00:15:42,020 residents. 172 00:15:42,110 --> 00:15:49,880 Carrie Huckeby: And I think UT also has field days, do they not, throughout the year where they're concentrating on different subjects? 173 00:15:49,880 --> 00:15:51,530 Dr. Lori Duncan: Yes, absolutely. 174 00:15:51,830 --> 00:15:59,780 We have, I believe the number now is ten research and education centers across the state that focus on, you 175 00:15:59,780 --> 00:16:03,620 know, the commodities that are specific to that area. 176 00:16:03,920 --> 00:16:07,520 And they all have their own individual field days every year. 177 00:16:08,300 --> 00:16:10,040 So please check those out. 178 00:16:10,280 --> 00:16:17,030 You can look at the University of Tennessee Institute of Agriculture website, and there's events listings on there. 179 00:16:17,060 --> 00:16:23,810 Carrie Huckeby: Great. I think I actually saw one on precision agriculture maybe later in the year, maybe September or something like that. 180 00:16:23,810 --> 00:16:27,290 So lots of helpful information out there. 181 00:16:27,870 --> 00:16:29,100 Dr. Lori Duncan: Yes, definitely. 182 00:16:29,100 --> 00:16:36,330 We also have extension publications, if you're interested in looking at any of those, but they're all on our website. 183 00:16:36,600 --> 00:16:40,710 Carrie Huckeby: Great. Well, Lori, as I mentioned, it's National Agriculture Week. 184 00:16:41,100 --> 00:16:46,500 Any special plans this week that you celebrate? 185 00:16:46,910 --> 00:16:54,150 Dr. Lori Duncan: I specifically have two young daughters, so we spend a lot of time with them reading and telling them about 186 00:16:54,150 --> 00:16:59,610 agriculture. And, you know, we live in Knoxville, so they don't get to see a whole lot of agriculture unless it's through mom. 187 00:16:59,610 --> 00:17:07,410 So I think it's just really important that we're communicating to our youth and to the, you know, 188 00:17:07,410 --> 00:17:11,970 99% of the people that aren't involved in agriculture like you and I. 189 00:17:12,000 --> 00:17:17,370 So just spending time educating those individuals and answering questions. 190 00:17:18,900 --> 00:17:20,640 Carrie Huckeby: Yeah, I think that's very important. 191 00:17:20,680 --> 00:17:28,630 My two grandchildren came to visit this past weekend or for spring break last week, and we got outside as much as we could, 192 00:17:28,630 --> 00:17:35,530 weather permitting. But, you know, it is different for them, and it's educational, you know, to see, you know, the 193 00:17:35,530 --> 00:17:38,470 gardening and things that you can do. 194 00:17:38,470 --> 00:17:46,420 So it is very important, I think, to spread that knowledge to our youth and get them interested in agriculture, for 195 00:17:46,420 --> 00:17:47,000 sure. 196 00:17:47,020 --> 00:17:48,700 Dr. Lori Duncan: Yes, absolutely. 197 00:17:49,540 --> 00:17:57,310 Carrie Huckeby: Anything you'd like to add or anything we should look for, you know, looking into your crystal ball for the future, 198 00:17:57,310 --> 00:18:00,970 Lori? Anything you think we'll see in agriculture? 199 00:18:01,720 --> 00:18:06,790 Dr. Lori Duncan: I think that we're just at the beginning of what precision agriculture is going to do. 200 00:18:06,940 --> 00:18:11,410 You know, we've seen a lot of development in the last just two years. 201 00:18:12,580 --> 00:18:20,440 We're looking at autonomous tractors being on the market, you know, high speed tractors, anything that can increase our 202 00:18:20,440 --> 00:18:23,980 efficiency. You know, I think, we're going to see it. 203 00:18:23,980 --> 00:18:26,380 So I guess just stay tuned. 204 00:18:27,080 --> 00:18:28,390 Carrie Huckeby: I think that's good. 205 00:18:28,400 --> 00:18:29,420 Well, thank you, Lori. 206 00:18:29,420 --> 00:18:31,010 I really appreciate your time. 207 00:18:31,010 --> 00:18:32,510 I know you're very busy. 208 00:18:32,660 --> 00:18:34,340 Dr. Lori Duncan: Yeah, Thank you for having me. 209 00:18:34,340 --> 00:18:35,770 This was fantastic. 210 00:18:35,780 --> 00:18:37,970 Carrie Huckeby: Great. Well, my guest has been Dr. 211 00:18:37,970 --> 00:18:45,440 Lori Duncan, Associate Professor, Row Crop Sustainability Specialist Biosystems Engineering and Soil Science at the 212 00:18:45,440 --> 00:18:47,030 University of Tennessee. 213 00:18:47,030 --> 00:18:54,140 And you've been listening to Lead Tennessee Radio, produced by the Tennessee Broadband Association, cooperative and independent 214 00:18:54,140 --> 00:18:59,630 companies connecting our state's rural communities and beyond with world class broadband.