Data Revolution’s Human Touch
Share Facebook Twitter Google + LinkedIn Pinterest By Todd NeeleyDTN Staff ReporterOMAHA (DTN) — Chalmers, Indiana, farmer Brandon Bell isn’t waiting for that digital ah-ha moment when, with a simple mouse click or two, a computer generates game-changing recommendations that match the complexities of farming.To get top recommendations now, Bell shares soil and yield data with his local soil-fertility experts through a local agribusiness and energy marketing and supply cooperative. The data form the basis for his variable-rate fertilizer applications. Sharing crop information allows him to benefit from the data he collects now instead of holding out for the development of an all-knowing algorithm to improve decisions on his 3,200-acre farm.“Everybody overcollects the data,” Bell said. “You tend to sort through what you need and what you don’t need. I’d say every person is different. There are definitely guys out there who will spend as much time on data as anything. We’re 25% planning and using the information. But, 75% of the time, you gotta work and make it happen.”Bell primarily runs John Deere equipment and links to a mobile app on an iPad on his corn and soybean farm, north of West Lafayette. He shares his data with Co-Alliance, which serves as a go-between for the farmer and a fertilizer plant manager. Editor’s Note: DTN has a business relationship with Co-Alliance.“It has been a big savings,” Bell pointed out. “It allows Co-Alliance to build variable-rate planting maps. As far as the variable rate, we’ve seen cost savings and yield increase, and we’ve seen increases on bigger-yield land.”BROKEN PROMISESThere has been no shortage of companies promising big returns to farmers who collect and supply data on yield, soils, financials and other details. Just put the data in and algorithms will spin out the perfect answers, the promise went.“That turned out to be really, really wrong,” explained Bruce Erickson, agronomy education distance and outreach director at Purdue University.Along the way, unpredictable real-world challenges arose. Every field is different, and every farm is different in the crop-production challenges it faces, issues an algorithm can’t anticipate, at least at this point in the data evolution.Sharing data with a local agronomist or seed dealer and crafting a plan of action on the farm is likely something that will always be needed.“I wondered if the age of agronomy was over,” Erickson explained, thinking back over the past 15 years. “It seemed to be the business aspect was more important,” and computers would supply the crop-production answers.Now, agronomists are demanded more than ever.COMPUTER, HUMAN COOPERATIONIn a 2012 TED Talks, Shyam Sankar, director of San Francisco-based Palantir Technologies, said human/computer cooperation would make the use of data more effective (visit www.ted.com/talks/shyam_sankar_the_rise_of_human_computer_cooperation?language=en#t-707842).“Isn’t supposed to be man versus machine,” he said during the talk. “Instead, it’s about cooperation and the right type of cooperation. So, if you want to improve human-computer symbiosis, what can you do? You can start by designing the human into the process. Instead of thinking about what a computer will do to solve the problem, design the solution around what the human will do, as well.”Palantir builds intelligent operating systems software for government agencies and commercial industries, with an eye on agriculture.Ted Mabrey, head of business development at Palantir, said he believes artificial intelligence has the potential to improve decision-making on the farm. Human intuition, however, still will be needed to maximize the collaboration.“The primary problem with technology is finding a way to manage complex data that can be interpreted by someone who is not a data scientist,” Mabrey explained. “Who can interpret data to take to the farmer and empower them as the decision-maker?”The data-technology problem yet to be solved, he adds, is meeting farmers where they are. He said it has to start with talking to farmers about the decisions they are making. “Technologies that really work start with operators,” he continued.NATURE OF THE BUSINESSAlexander Reichert, CEO and cofounder of AgVend, a digital market for farming inputs, stresses the data revolution hasn’t arrived in agriculture because of the complexities of the business.“There is so much variability in this industry,” he said. “You can farm two different tracts across the street from each other and get two different results. That makes it very difficult.”Purdue’s Erickson notes the volume and use of data in agriculture will continue to expand but will not be fully realized until technology catches up to the industry.“In science, you can mix chemicals and know what will happen,” Erickson pointed out. “In a biological system, you are dealing with living things, soil, plants, etc. — complicated and mysterious things. The simple things are more complicated than we thought. Even fields that don’t look complicated are complicated.”Bell said he’s not opposed to sharing data regionally to better other producers. After all, it’s common in northwest Indiana to produce 240-bushel corn yields, he added, so producers really aren’t giving up any secrets.“As long as it is for the betterment for what we’re doing, I don’t see a problem,” Bell said. “As it happens, things need to be simplified for farmers to be interested. There’s nothing more frustrating than sitting and waiting for maps to download.“There will always need to be someone involved locally,” Bell continued. “We’re going to have automated tractors, and they will work. But, I’ll not be able to sit on a beach in Mexico while it’s working. Technology and data is great, but I don’t know that we’re ever going to get away from being physically involved. I still want to be involved.”Todd Neeley can be reached at [email protected](AG/SK)Copyright 2019 DTN/The Progressive Farmer. 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Read Next But Joshua’s promoter Eddie Hearn is also eyeing an all-British showdown with Fury next year.Fury, 29, this week contacted Trump on Twitter to ask him to join his ringwalk, asking the US president who he thinks would win a bout with Joshua.FEATURED STORIESSPORTSWATCH: Drones light up sky in final leg of SEA Games torch runSPORTSSEA Games: Philippines picks up 1st win in men’s water poloSPORTSMalditas save PH from shutout“@realDonaldTrump who do you think wins the fury vs AJ fight? You can walk me out if you want, be a part of the biggest fight ever,” he tweeted.A number of personal issues have kept Fury on the sidelines since November 2015, when he defeated Wladimir Klitschko for the WBA, IBF and WBO heavyweight titles, and he remains without a boxing licence. Stronger peso trims PH debt value to P7.9 trillion CPP denies ‘Ka Diego’ arrest caused ‘mass panic’ among S. Tagalog NPA John Lloyd Cruz a dashing guest at Vhong Navarro’s wedding QC cops nab robbery gang leader, cohort MOST READ LATEST STORIES Kammuri turning to super typhoon less likely but possible — Pagasa Brace for potentially devastating typhoon approaching PH – NDRRMC ‘K-and-K’ tandem with Ravena excites Alas Onyok Velasco see bright future for PH boxing in Olympics PLAY LIST 00:45Onyok Velasco see bright future for PH boxing in Olympics05:25PH boxing team determined to deliver gold medals for PH01:07Trump talks impeachment while meeting NCAA athletes01:37Protesters burn down Iran consulate in Najaf01:47Panelo casts doubts on Robredo’s drug war ‘discoveries’01:29Police teams find crossbows, bows in HK university01:35Panelo suggests discounted SEA Games tickets for students02:49Robredo: True leaders perform well despite having ‘uninspiring’ boss02:42PH underwater hockey team aims to make waves in SEA Games Typhoon Kammuri accelerates, gains strength en route to PH Don’t miss out on the latest news and information. “AJ & Wilder I’m coming back for you pair my mission is seek & destroy the only thing on my mind is destruction who ever gets in my way will be dealt with accordingly.“There’s only 1 winner & that’s the fans! Let’s make the heavyweights great again, fight the best in the division.” But he believes a bout with Joshua would resemble Muhammad Ali’s legendary “Rumble in the Jungle” with George Foreman in Kinshasa in 1974.Fury posted an image of the two all-time great combatants on Instagram, along with the caption: “This is what’s to come!“The old champ coming back to fight a man who every1 thinks will ko me, same as Ali vs Forman the stylish Ali vs the mummy Forman! We all know what happens in this fight!“I know you all got me whooped, but I will not lay down or be afraid of some muscles & I have the mentality of a winner a man who has never lost a fight.”Fury, who is still waiting for a final ruling from UK Anti-Doping on a suspended drugs ban after the hearing was adjourned in July, also laid down the gauntlet to Wilder.ADVERTISEMENT British heavyweight boxer Tyson Fury (C) signs autographs following a press conference to publicise his forthcoming world heavyweight title fight against Ukranian heavyweight Wladimir Klitschko, at the Manchester Arena in Manchester, north-west England on April 27, 2016.Wladimir Klitschko has insisted he was “glad” to have lost his world heavyweight titles to Tyson Fury in December 2015, ahead of a re-match with the British boxer on July 9, 2016. With Klitschko’s loss to Fury, the belts are now spread far and wide, with Fury holding the WBA and WBO titles, fellow Briton Anthony Joshua the IBF champion, and Deontay Wilder of the United States, the World Boxing Council’s heavyweight title. / AFP PHOTO / OLI SCARFFFormer world heavyweight champion Tyson Fury wants US President Donald Trump in his corner as he mulls “the biggest fight ever” against reigning IBF and WBA champion Anthony Joshua.Last weekend Joshua, 28, successfully defended his titles against Carlos Takam in Cardiff and either WBO champion Joseph Parker or WBC champion Deontay Wilder appear the most likely next opponents.ADVERTISEMENT Japan ex-PM Nakasone who boosted ties with US dies at 101 View comments
DURHAM, NC – FEBRUARY 09: Cameron Crazies, fans of the Duke Blue Devils, prepare for their game against the North Carolina Tar Heels at Cameron Indoor Stadium on February 9, 2017 in Durham, North Carolina. (Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images)When Duke’s men’s basketball program won its fifth national championship under Mike Krzyzewski this past spring, it was time for the following car to get a new license plate. The driver of this Subaru Outback gets a new custom license plate every time the Blue Devils win a national title. Here they are: # 5 and Kounting pic.twitter.com/HoNr1uOVm6— Brad Allen Cleary (@bacduke_hoops) June 7, 2015Are all of the license plates kept on the car or were they just being shown off together? Either way, it’s an impressive collection.
He is the winningest goaltender in Montreal Canadiens’ history.But as Carey Price was savouring his 315th franchise win Tuesday night, he took time to impart some advice to aspiring Indigenous hockey players.After all, he comes from a small First Nation in B.C., where his mother was once 
Wayne Rooney may be on the verge of doing a U-turn on his decision to leave Everton for DC United in the summer after the sacking of Sam Allardyce, reports Sports IllustratedThe former England captain agreed on a deal in principle to join DC in the MLS for next season after a disappointing second spell at Everton.Rooney had got off to a bright start this season and by mid-December had scored 10 goals for Everton.However, the 32-year-old then endured a difficult second-half of club’s campaign and was visibly upset when manager Sam Allardyce substituted him during Everton’s goalless draw against Liverpool in the Merseyside derby back on April 7.
Premier League Betting: Match-day 5 Stuart Heath – September 14, 2019 Going into the Premier League’s match-day five with a gap already beginning to form at the top of the league. We will take a…Rooney became reportedly frustrated with Allardyce’s agricultural tactics and decided to end his career in the Premier League in favour of a lucrative deal at the MLS.However, it is now believed that the England and Manchester United all-time record goalscorer has put the move on hold and is waiting for news on Everton’s new manager.Should the new head coach assure Rooney that he will be a big part of his plans for next season, then the forward may be willing to put the move to America on hold for another year.
The former Spain boss spoke publicly about Jamaican athlete Usain Bolt’s attempt to become a professional footballer, he thinks it could work.One of the weirdest things we have found in recent times regarding football is the fact that Jamaican Olympic Champion Usain Bolt is fighting to become a professional football player, former Spain manager Vicente del Bosque doesn’t think it’s such a bad idea. The World Cup champion recently spoke to the Olympic Channel about Usain Bolt’s recent exploits as a footballer in Australian football, he confessed he did watch the man play the few minutes he could and concluded that he could play well as a winger. Usain Bolt recently started playing professionally with the Central Coast Mariners from the A-League in Australia, the Olympic Gold Medalist gave us a glimpse of what he can do and he did prove that his speed is something that will come in very handy in the future. But there is a large part of the local press that doesn’t really agree with Bolt as a football player, they criticize him for trying to do something that he wasn’t meant to do and they go after him for trying to fulfill his dream.Here’s @usainbolt’s highlights from his @CCMariners debut.? @FOXFOOTBALL pic.twitter.com/xaparCBsv4— Hyundai A-League (@ALeague) September 1, 2018But for manager Vicente del Bosque who saw Bolt’s first match with the Mariners last week, Bolt actually could work as a winger or a left-back if he practiced hard to improve a little more on the ball: “For a squad that plays counter attack with fast transitions, he can surely be an important player, With a little bit of space, Bolt can be important for any squad. He could either play as a full-back with a lot of space to cover or a winger, with his back against the fans close to the sidelines, that’s where he could work better. But he needs to understand that it’s not just about running the one hundred, sixty or even seventy meters in a football pitch, but to do it many times during a game. This requires a lot of resistance and I don’t know if he is ready for that, but maybe he is. Yes it’s true, you can see a very optimistic and charismatic player in the most recent videos. He is laughing all the time, it’s almost as if he was a little kid living a dream,” Del Bosque told the Olympic Channel.Look who made their football debut! ⚽⚽@CCMariners @usainbolt All the details ? https://t.co/MBGSDxxI3M pic.twitter.com/FpMjadLzzM
Report: Del Bosque would not sign Neymar George Patchias – September 5, 2019 Vicente Del Boque would not sign Neymar if he was a club manager.Arguably one of Spains most decorated managers for club and country, Vincente…— Olympic Channel (@olympicchannel) August 31, 2018Vicente continued with his analysis on Bolt by stating that: “To start playing professional football at the age of 32 isn’t normal. It’s difficult because despite being in peak physical condition, I believe that the technical part is the fundamental part of football. A player’s fantastic conditioning — being fast, agile, powerful — should support the technical ability. He will probably learn the tactical side and get to understand the game better both defensively and offensively. I’m sure he will find a solution to all of that, but the most difficult part will be to acquire the technical skills you need for any play. Control, passing, dribbling, a good touch on the ball. Skills that you normally have had since childhood. A team that doesn’t dominate possession and doesn’t control the game. One that doesn’t need to keep the ball and that doesn’t leave space to the opponent, and that afterward has some quick transitions. There, you can surely make use of Usain’s speed.”Former Spain football boss, Vincent del Bosque tells us Usain Bolt should be played in defence. https://t.co/mE3gmWpMhU— Lia Hervey (@LiaHervey) September 11, 2018How far do you think Usain Bolt could get as a professional football player? Please share your opinion in the comment section down below.
Borussia Dortmund boss Lucien Favre expects Christian Pulisic to be unavailable ahead of today’s Bundesliga match against Eintracht Frankfurt due to a muscular injuryThe 19-year-old winger was a no-show for the USA during the international break and didn’t feature in Dortmund’s goalless draw with against Hannover 96 a fortnight ago either.“Christian Pulisic is making improvements in his recovery, but Friday will probably come too soon for him,” admitted Favre in a press conference.The American youngster is widely regarded as one of the biggest young prospects in European football and caught the eye of Real Madrid over the summer.Also out are Omer Toprak and Raphael Guerreiro.Although goalkeeper Roman Burki has been declared fit to play after recovering from a thigh injury.
Merson believes Arsenal should sign Sancho Manuel R. Medina – September 14, 2019 Borussia Dortmund winger Jadon Sancho might be the perfect player to play for the Gunners, according to former England international Paul Merson.But Favre refused to confirm whether Barcelona loan signing Paco Alcacer will make his Dortmund debut.“Paco likes to combine with his colleagues. He has a scoring threat and the intuition to position himself in dangerous areas. However, we have to integrate him step by step,” he said.“We still have to find our best system and we have to learn which players work in which systems. That will be relevant when we begin to rotate.”Dortmund are looking for their second victory of the 2018/19 Bundesliga campaign against Frankfurt following an opening day 4-1 win against RB Leipzig before the draw with Hannover.“In the last season, Frankfurt played 5-3-2 and 3-4-3. Now they play 4-3-3, 4-4-2 under their new coach [Adi Hutter]. They are very dangerous. They play with one, two touches on the counter and use pressing,” Favre said.The match between Dortmund and Frankfurt will take place at the Signal Iduna Park at 20:30 (GMT +2).
The West Ham United boss is not happy that his team couldn’t score more goals against Liverpool in order to secure a win.Sadio Mane scored for Liverpool at the 22nd minute to lift the Reds into the lead tonight against West Ham United.Then the Hammers saw how Michail Antonio scored the tying goal at the 28th-minute mark.But then both teams lacked what it needs to score more goals, and the game ended up in a 1-1 draw.And for coach Manuel Pellegrini, the result is very disappointing.“Disappointed not to get three points. If you create four clear chances then you must score,” he told Football London during the post-match press conference.“They scored when he was one meter offside, Origi was one meter offside too, you have to be disappointed.”“He cannot complain about anything. We deserved to win,” he spoke about Jurgen Klopp’s constant complaining.“I said during the week that we need to win this game for our fans.”“Man City was my club also so maybe the manager of Liverpool didn’t like it,” he added.
Liverpool legend Nicol slams Harry Maguire’s Man United form Andrew Smyth – September 14, 2019 Steve Nicol believes Harry Maguire has made some “horrendous mistakes” recently, and has failed to find his best form since joining Manchester United.“We need to repeat the way we play against the big teams against Palace.”“We have 8 or 9 players injured, we have no playmakers right now, problems with all the strikers during the transfer window,” he spoke about the team’s next match.“We need to do as best as we can for the remaining 13 games.”West Ham United is currently in the 12th position of the English Premier League table with 32 points.The team is just two points away from eight-place Watford.They will now visit Crystal Palace, before resting for two weeks to play against Fulham and Manchester City at the end of February.We gave that everything 👏 pic.twitter.com/Y9Cc2QcNnd— West Ham United (@WestHamUtd) February 4, 2019
Recommended for you Related Items:dominican republic, puerto rico, virgin islands, Weather TCI Meeting with Dominican Republic reaps five goals Facebook Twitter Google+LinkedInPinterestWhatsApp Facebook Twitter Google+LinkedInPinterestWhatsAppProvidenciales, 5 Nov 2014 – A large area of disturbed weather is located over the northeasternCaribbean Sea and extends northward across Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands, and continues over the Atlantic Ocean for several hundred miles. Surface pressures are gradually falling across this region and a low pressure system could form during the next day or so. This system could briefly acquire subtropical characteristics tomorrow or on Thursday while the low moves west-northwestward to northwestward. After that time, development is not expected while the disturbance moves north-northeastward and eventually merges with another frontal system. Regardless of development, locally heavy rainfall and possible flooding can be expected across the Virgin Islands, Puerto Rico, and portions of the Dominican Republic tonight and Wednesday. For additional information on the heavy rainfall threat, please consult products issued by your national meteorological service.* Formation chance through 48 hours…low…20 percent.* Formation chance through 5 days…low…20 percent. DR wants consulate office in TCI TCI Tactic to minimize Zika revealed; less unskilled workers says Premier
Tottenham defender Jan Vertonghen believes he’s still got a good four or five years left in him and hopes the club feel the same wayThe 31-year-old has been a prominent member of the Spurs squad since his €12m arrival from Ajax in 2012.Despite his contract expiring at the end of this season, Spurs are expected to take up their option to extend Vertonghen’s stay until June 2020.However, with Spurs set to move to their new stadium soon along with being challengers in the Premier League and Champions League, Vertonghen is keen to hang around longer.“I’ve got a contract until 2020 — there’s an option and Tottenham will take that option,” Vertonghen told Standard Sport.“So I’ve got a year and a half left and then we’ll see. The way I feel now, I’ve got at least four to five good years left in the tank.“There are no talks [with the club], but that’s something to discuss. At the moment I feel great at Tottenham.
Jose Mourinho is sold on Lampard succeeding at Chelsea Tomás Pavel Ibarra Meda – September 14, 2019 Jose Mourinho wanted to give his two cents on Frank Lampard’s odds as the new Chelsea FC manager, he thinks he will succeed.There really…“It’s a club with unbelievable potential — not just the players but everything around it. Everyone wants to be part of it.”The Belgium international wouldn’t rule out a return to Ajax, where he started out his senior career in football and won the Eredivisie title twice in his six-year stay.“You never know, but I’ve got a great passion for Ajax,” said Vertonghen on an Ajax return.“I’d probably live in Amsterdam [when I retire]. I can see myself in Belgium a day or two a week with family — it’s only an hour and half drive. My missus is from there.“I love the open environment, people being open-minded. I lived there for nine years, it’s a nice city. It has a good quality of life and diversity.”Vertonghen returned to action for Spurs at the end of November after being sidelined for two months with a hamstring problem.The Belgian has made a total of 12 appearances for Spurs this season and will likely start in their Premier League game against Burnley this afternoon.