VIRGINIA SOYBEAN BOARDPROJECT PROPOSAL – FY2013/2014

ONE-PAGE SUMMARY

PROJECT NAME:Enhancing Soybean Research & Extension Programs via Plot Harvest Effectiveness – Plot Combine Equipment Request

TERM OF PROJECT:July 1, 2012 – June 30, 2013

COOPERATORS:David Holshouser, Assoc.Professor &Extension Agronomist

LOCATION:Virginia Tech - Tidewater Agricultural Res. & Ext. Ctr.

6321 Holland Rd, Suffolk, VA 23437

Telephone: (757) 657-6450 ext. 412

Email:

ESITMATED TOTAL COST OF PROJECT: $266,000 to $331,000

FUNDS REQUESTED: $154,200(47% to 58% of total cost of project)

PROJECT GOAL: Enable a more effective soybean research and extension program at Virginia Tech by improving soybean harvest capability. With a more effective harvest ability, Soybean Board (check-off) funded projects will receive priority status during harvest season. In addition to providing funding for labor, supplies, and other harvest cost, a new soybean plot combine will be purchased. The combine will be dedicated to soybean research and extension projects that benefits Virginia’s soybean industry by increasing its profitability and sustainability. Key features of the combine will include an enclosed cabin for the operator and person collecting seed samples (greatly enhancing environmental health of employees), 4-wheel drive to better harvest soybean in challenging conditions, larger grain tank to better handle large on-farm plots, pneumatic seed deliver for better cleaning between plots, straw chopper to better spread residue in no-till fields, and a weighing system with computer for accurate yields and moisture. The combine will only be used for soybean research and extension plots.

EXPECTED RESULTS: There will be more efficient harvest of all research and extension plots. Researchers will be able to harvest research plots at maturity; seed yield and quality will not suffer from late harvest. On-farm,Extension-relatedharvest requests (if funded by soybean check-off funds) will be harvested in a timelier manner. The combine will be used to assist with harvest of soybean research verification plots

ESTIMATED WORTH: Virginia’s soybean crop was worth over $240 million in 2012. Assuming a 10% gain in net profit from this program’s efforts, and additional $24 million in value to Virginia’s soybean production may be realized.

Virginia Soybean Board Proposal: VA Soybean Res Ext ProgramPage 1

D. Holshouser, Virginia Tech

PROJECT PROPOSAL

TO

THE VIRGINIA SOYBEAN BOARD

Title: Enhancing Soybean Research & Extension Programs via Plot Harvest Effectiveness – Plot Combine Equipment Request

Cooperator: David Holshouser, Assoc. Professor & Extension Agronomist

Virginia Tech – Tidewater AREC

6321 Holland Road

Suffolk, VA 23437

(757) 657-6450 ext. 412

Duration of Request: July 1, 2012 to June 30, 2013

Estimated Total Cost of Project: $266,000 to $331,000

Funds Requested: $154,200 (47% to 58% of total cost of project)

Project Goal:

The goal of this project is to enhance soybean research and extension programs through more effective harvest of research and on-farm extension plots. With these funds, I will purchase a new soybean plot combine that will be primarily dedicated to soybean research and extension projects that benefits Virginia’s soybean industry by increasing its profitability and sustainability. Soybean Board (check-off) funded projects will receive top priority status during harvest season. The combine will only be used for soybean research and extension plots. In addition, I request funding to be used for a technician salary, fuel and maintenance of the combine, and travel associated with harvest.

Significance of Project and Current Situation:

Yield is the most important data collected in most check-off funded soybean research and extension projects. Currently, my project is using a 15-year old Wintersteiger plot combine (see photo on next page). The soybean board provided funding of $10,000 to assist with it’s purchase (total price of the combine in 1998 was approximately $110,000). The combine has harvested tens of thousands of plots over the last 15 years and has, in general, performed well. However, age and number of hours used has taken its toll; therefore, this combine is no longer dependable. Although we plan to keep this combine in service for the forseeable future, we can no longer depend on it for an effective soybean harvest.

In addition to the age of the current combine, it is not the safest machine for our employees. It does not have an air-conditioned/heated cabin for the operator or the person taken seed samples, therefore employees are exposed to significant dust and other air pollutants. Although our employees wear protective clothing and equipment, this is less healthy for the employee compared to an enclosed cab. Furthermore, the current combine smaller than is needed for some larger on-farm test plots. Not only will it not hold and weigh a large amount of soybean seed that is collected in larger on-farm plots, we cannot usually dump the harvest into the cooperating farmer’s truck or trailer without “innovative” adaptation of the truck, trailer, or plot combine (none of which are entirely safe). We have also had difficulty harvesting under wet conditions. We have adapted our plot combine with dual wheels, but this does not always solve the problem wet or low-lying fields. Additionally, the lack of 4-wheel drive makes it very difficult to load the combine on a trailer (another safety issue). Finally, we cannot spread residue effectively with the current combine; it basically dumps the stover into a pile. This makes it more difficult to no-till plant the next crop. There are other reasons that the current plot combine is not the most efficient plot harvesting machine, but will not be mentioned here.


Although I have put away some money to replace my combine, the costs for a new combine have more than doubled over the last 5 years. To purchase a new plot combine with a cab, 4-wheel drive, and chaff spreader will now cost between $250,000 and $300,000. Without additional support from the Virginia Soybean Board, I will not be able to purchase a combine within the next few years.

Plan of Work

  1. Purchase a new soybean plot combine that will be primarily dedicated to soybean research and extension projects funded by the Virginia Soybean Board or United Soybean Board. Key features of the combine will include an enclosed cabin for the operator and person collecting seed samples (greatly enhancing environmental health of employees), 4-wheel drive to better harvest soybean in challenging soil conditions, larger grain tank to better handle large on-farm plots, pneumatic seed deliver for better cleaning between plots, straw chopper to better spread residue in no-till fields, and a weighing system with computer for accurate yields and moisture. Again, Virginia Soybean Board (check-off) funded projectswill receive top priority status during harvest season and the combine will only be used for soybean research and extension plots. I will make the combine and operator available to all researchers and Extension personnel, if the project is supported by the Virginia Soybean Board. However, I will prioritize the harvest schedule based on need, time, and logistics.

I have obtained quotes from three companies specializing in agricultural research – Almaco, Kincaid, and Wintersteiger. Combine specifications included with packet at the March funding meeting. Generally, the cost of the combine will range from $250,000 to $300,000. The final cost will depend on needs and a competitive bidding process. I’m asking for $145,000 from the Virginia Soybean Board to help support its purchase. I will also ask the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences to help with its purchase. Finally, Official Variety Testing (OVT) fees will be used to help purchase this equipment.

  1. Support the salary of a research technician who will be dedicated to plot harvest during the fall. Due to the retirement of Patsy Lewis this spring, I will be looking for a replacement. My goal is to find someone of equal dependability and work ethic as Patsy, but also with the equipment skills needed to operate equipment and make minor repairs. If I can fill the position with someone similar in quality and farming aptitude to Mike Ellis, who is currently working as a technician with the soybean project, we can potentially run two combines at two different locations this fall (this new combine and the old Wintersteiger). Such capabilities could double our harvest efficiency during certain harvest periods.
  2. Use the remaining of the requested funds for fuel, parts, repair, and travel expenses during harvest.

United Soybean Board Compliance:

The United Soybean Board (USB) is committed to working with university to maintain or enhance their agriculture research presence while staying compliant. Although the USB stresses that proposals to fund purchase of general agricultural equipment should be avoided, the check-off dollars requested in this proposal will be used for soybean-specific projects and will be spent to benefit soybean farmers. Our overall objective with purchase of a better soybean plot combine will be to benefit Virginia’s soybean industry by increasing its profitability. Our plans are to only use this combine for soybean research and extension projects. Furthermore, Virginia Soybean Board-funded projects will receive priority at harvest time. This equipment will not likely contribute to intellectual property income; the data collected with this combine will be shared with all of the soybean industry. The equipment will be owned by Virginia Tech and it will be housed at the Tidewater AREC in Suffolk, VA. Virginia Tech will maintain, insure, and license the combine.

It must be stressed that although we are asking the Virginia Soybean Board to only fund approximately 50% of the purchase price of the combine, the use of the combine will be for soybean research and extension plot harvest. The remainder of the funding will come from the College of Agriculture & Life Sciences, Official Variety Testing income, and/or other sources, but harvest of check-off funded research will be the priority.

Budget

BUDGET CATEGORY / FUNDS REQUESTED
PERSONNEL (LABOR)
Classified Staff / 5,106
Classified Benefits (FY13/14 = 40.0%) / 2,042
PERSONNEL (LABOR): SUB-TOTAL / 7,148
EQUIPMENT
Assist in purchase of new soybean plot combine / $145,000
TRAVEL, CONVENTION, & EDUCATION
Travel to and from research and extension plot harvest. / 1,052
SUPPLIES AND MATERIALS
Expendable field supplies, fuel, repair and maintenance / 1,000
PROJECT TOTAL / $ 154,200

*ONR negotiated rates for Virginia Tech

The following personnel will be involved in this project:

Dr. David L. Holshouser, Assoc. Professor & Extension Agronomist

E. Michael Ellis, Agricultural Technician

Research Technician (TBA)

Budget Justification:

Salary and wage funds will be used to approximately 17% of an Agricultural Technician salary.

Equipment funds will be used to help purchase a new soybean plot combine.

Travel funds will be used for overnight stay or other expenses related to the harvest of soybean research and extension plots.

Material and supply funds will be used to purchase fuel and for vehicle and equipment repair and maintenance.

Submitted by:Signature:

Name: Dr. David Holshouser

Title: Associate Professor, Tidewater AREC

Institution: Virginia Polytechnic Institute & State University

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