" Are the fittings and valves clean and free from rust and wear?
" Is the kingpin in good condition and well lubricated?
" Is the high-pressure hose secure, with no cracks or signs of wear? Replacement of the hose should be done if you can see the braided layer.
" Are hoses free of cuts, soft spots, blistering, kinking, flattening, or indications that it may have been stretched?
" Does the tank have a slow-moving vehicle (SMV) emblem mounted on the rear of the tank that is bright and in good condition?
" Have you checked the tires on the supply/nurse tank for condition, tread wear, and proper inflation?
" Is the emergency water supply full of fresh clean water. Is the grabhose clean and free of any slimy internal buildup that would impede or contaminate water flow?

Before you tow the tank home, make sure:
" Hitches are secure and equipped with locking pins.
" Safety chains are securely connected.

" Are applicator knives in good condition and not plugged with soil or other material?
" Is the shut-off rope the right length and in good condition?
" Are you using locking hitch-pins?
" Is the nurse tank secured with a safety chain?
"Have the hoses been checked for cracks, discolored or brittle areas? Have the damaged hoses been replaced?

Anhydrous Ammonia First Aid
The first treatment for any NH₃ exposure is to flush with water for 15 minutes. 
Always seek medical attention after any exposure.

SAFETY TIPS
Ž Always use non-vented goggles, and liquid-proof gloves rated for anhydrous ammonia use when transferring anhydrous or checking for worn hoses and plugged applicator knives.
Ž Have the emergency 5 gallon water supply refilled with fresh water each day. A second water supply tank on the tractor is also recommended as a backup if you cannot reach the water tank on the nurse tank.
Ž A $20 disposable ammonia/anhydrous respirator is available and should be in the pickup and tractor cab for the operator.

Safety Tip: Michigan averages 18 to 24 work- related farm/orchard deaths per/year. Injuries occur to 6,000 to 8,000 individuals each year.

Michigan Precision Agriculture Research – NCR-180 is a committee of researchers from land grant university experiment stations who are working in precision agriculture. Committee members prepare annual research summaries which are presented and discussed at a meeting in January. Below are abstracts of Michigan research presented to the group in January. Research reports for Michigan and other states can be found at: http://precision.agri.umn.edu/ncr180_Pawg/research/research.html

Extent and Impact of Surface Soil Compaction in No-till Corn Production - F.J. Pierce and J.R. Hess
This research, funded by the Corn Marketing Program of Michigan, assessed how surface soil condition influences corn performance under no-tillage management by mapping the mechanical resistance or drag force required for planting under no-till conditions and correlating it with the corresponding spatial variability in soil conditions and corn performance. Specific objectives include (i) the evaluation of an instrumented "hitch pin" draft sensing system to measure and map mechanical resistance of a no-till planter during normal field operations and (ii) to correlate mechanical resistance with soil physical properties and crop performance including soil water content at planting, soil fertility, soil conductivity, penetration resistance terrain attributes, plant emergence, plant population, and crop yield at harvest. Field experiments were conducted in 1999 at two fields in Michigan where soils are mapped as Capac loam (fine-loamy, mixed, mesic, Aeric Achraqualfs) to evaluate the performance of a no-till corn planter under variable soil conditions. The hitch-pin system was developed by INEEL scientists for John Deere 7000 series tractors and worked well under Michigan experimental conditions. Field experiments will be conducted in two additional fields in 2000.

Spatial and Temporal Dynamics of Alfalfa Production in Relation to Precision Agriculture and Integrated Crop Management Systems - Richard Leep, Marc McNabney, Darryl Warncke and Roger Brook

The purpose of this research is to evaluate the value and utility of precision agriculture practices, systems and concepts in the production of alfalfa under Michigan growing conditions. Among the challenges faces by alfalfa growers are fertility management; variations in yield and quality (protein); variations in stand establishment and persistence. These issues will be evaluated by: 1) establishing the variability of soil properties that exist in typical Michigan alfalfa fields; 2) determining whether relationships exist in commercial alfalfa fields between alfalfa yield and quality and soil properties; and 3) testing methods for reducing the variability of yield, quality and persistence in fields of alfalfa using precision agriculture sampling and treatment strategies. This project was initiated in 1999, with three cooperating alfalfa producers involved. Digital elevation maps of each of the four fields have been made. Soil electrical conductivity analysis has been performed using both the EM38 technology. Yield mapping is being done on a point sampling basis, as well as using forage yield monitoring equipment purchased from T.S.I. LP (Sunriver, MT). Fields were scouted for pest problems occurring during the growing season.

Site-specific Management Guidelines
http://www.farmresearch.com/SSMG/

SSMG-15 Scouting for Weeds - S. Clay and G. Johnson
The concept behind scouting for weeds is to provide accurate and timely information needed to make intelligent, cost effective decisions. Moreover, scouting is a key component in the design of effective weed management strategies that help to manage risks by providing information needed to optimize the correct timing of herbicides and accurately monitor weed management successes and failures. This requires one to think about dynamic and flexible weed management systems to meet challenging demands. Adaptive sampling strategies (rather than fixed strategies such as grid sampling) are flexible and build on previous information and experience. Adaptive approaches also result in more dynamic data gathering systems that can be used to determine if the current weed management system is or is not meeting your goals. We can also assess if given weed species are increasing or decreasing in density and area. Being able to adjust sampling strategies based on previous observations is critical and must be taken into account each year. Experience coupled with flexibility is the key to obtaining reliable data needed to make intelligent site-specific weed management decisions.

SSMG-7 Variable Rate Equipment Technology for Weed Control - D. Humburg
Sprayer controllers have been developed by agricultural equipment vendors to minimize variation of applied rates of chemicals within fields. The control systems that allow these devices to compensate for changes in vehicle speeds now also provide the potential to apply variable rates of pesticides according to preplanned maps. The types of sprayer systems and controllers capable of variable rate control are discussed here, along with their advantages and disadvantages. Communications between task computers used to store maps and these sprayer controllers are also discussed.