Printer friendly version

Work Orders
Field Requests
Supplies
Field Experiment Design
Irrigation
Plot Maintenance
Shop
Harvest
Equipment
Off Station Plots
Farm Crew

Work Orders

1. All requests for work done in fields, greenhouses, and other facilities at Kimberly must be done by submitting an electronic work order. The purpose of this is to minimize errors affecting research and crop production.
2. Please do not request work to be done by verbally communicating with the farm manager or farm crew member, unless it is an emergency or other extenuating circumstance
   

Back to Top

Field Requests

1. Field request forms are usually sent out in the fall and the spring but may be requested from the farm manager at any time.
2. Please send in completed field requests as soon as plot needs are known or by the requested date.
3. The field allocation committee meets by early March to finalize assignments.
4. If you are submitting a proposal that will require a large acreage please let the farm manager know about it even prior to getting the funding. Larger acreage can sometimes be held back if it is known that the need may be coming.
5. Note any multi-year needs or residual effects of your study. Specify how the crop and any associated wastes are to be disposed of and who will be doing so.
6. The farm will provide one normal soil test per field per year if requested. This consists of 0-1 foot and a 1 to 2 foot samples. We generally do a complete test on the top foot and NPK on the second foot. If you need additional samples taken by the farm please provide a budget number and any special instructions with your field request or work order.
7. After planting, complete plot diagrams are needed for the farm maps and records.
8. If you change or decide not to utilize your farm request, it needs to be done both in writing and verbally. Field charges still may apply if it is done late in the season.

Back to Top

Supplies

1. When possible request seed, fertilizers, and pesticides (other than specialized items) through the farm to allow us to pool orders, fertilizer spreaders, etc.
2. If a project does not require a specific crop or variety, it is suggested that the decision be left to the farm manager.
3. If bringing in seed from another area be sure it is legal for planting. Some crops such as beans and potatoes have state requirements that must be followed. All seed potatoes should be ordered through the farm manager.

Back to Top

Field Experiment Design

1. It is the project responsibility to plant all of the area assigned to it. It is easier to plant fill (bulk areas) as you are putting in your plots rather than afterwards. Plant all the way to the top and bottom of the field.
2. Avoid turning around in the middle of the field or leaving other unplanted areas inside the field.
3. If experiments must be laid out in a manner that does not permit planting fill below the study, contact the farm manager or superintendent beforehand to discuss this.
4. Remember that projects are responsible for weed control in the whole area of their experiments including the areas above and below the actual plots.
5. Most row crops require at least 20’ at the top and bottom of the field for the equipment to turn around. Potatoes generally require 35’. Please leave adequate room for those operations or plant them as non-data areas.
6. If you are going to apply or incorporate materials prior to planting, be sure to coordinate that with the farm crew prior to your application. Procedures have been established that help assure that your application ends up where it needs to be after establishing your crop.
7. The field is generally marked out prior to planting row crops. Be sure to start planting in the right place and identify where any irrigation lines will be located.
8. It is important that you not be in the guess row. If you don’t understand this concept, please contact the farm manager for clarification. If rows are in the wrong place it may cause problems with cultivation, irrigation, and harvest.

Back to Top

Irrigation

1. Irrigation scheduling will be based on consumptive use charts, tensiometers or watermark sensors when installed.
2. If a study requires supplemental irrigation for disease increase or other factors please document these requirements with the field request.
3. Please be aware that water is limited and we have many fields to cover. If water use becomes very high and/or water supplies become limited, irrigation scheduling may be prioritized. Very sensitive crops, e.g. potatoes or studies based on irrigation, will be watered first; rotation crops, such as non-plot alfalfa, may be postponed.
4. Do not turn on any irrigation system or divert any water without approval from the farm manager or assigned irrigator. In doing so, you might adversely affect other applications, because the water head is often split off to several locations.
5. Pressurized water may not be available at all times because many fields must be surface irrigated and the water may be in a ditch other than that supplying the pump station.
6. Pipe installation is a farm responsibility but each project should be willing to provide people to get it out. Projects may want to double check nozzles to insure the correct size. Generally we use 9/64” for full circle and 1/8” for half circle.
7. If sprinkler pipe is disassembled for plot activities it is the project’s responsibility to put it back in place.
8. Disassembled pipe should be placed where it won’t be run over.
9. Siphon tubes and boards should be stacked on the field side of the ditch to prevent being run over.

Back to Top

Plot maintenance

1. Projects are expected to keep plots weed free at all times except for actual weed control studies.
2. If it becomes necessary to hire weeding crews the cost may be charged to the project.
3. Be sure that weeders or thinners do not destroy corrugates with their work. They may be necessary to insure accurate cultivation, irrigation, and harvest activities.
4. Be sure that any sensor wires, flags, or data recording devices will not interfere with normal cultural operations such as cultivation.

Back to Top

Shop

1. Work orders are required for any repairs or maintenance to be done by the farm crew and for use of the shop by projects.
2. The shop is generally very busy with repairs and maintenance of station equipment; however, we will try to do any shop work for projects as long as farm crew and facilities are available.
3. If projects require the use of the shop and have someone qualified to do the work, access may be provided for short-term use.
4. The mechanic may require that employees demonstrate ability with some types of equipment such as welders or torches.
5. Please notify the mechanic prior to taking any tools out of the shop and be sure to return them promptly. Clean up after you are done.
6. Some specialized and power tools may be reserved for qualified users only. Appropriate safety equipment must be used at all times.
7. If maintenance is needed on any equipment please notify the farm manager by work order preferably via email.

Back to Top

Harvest

1. Before harvest remove all stakes, flags, access tubes, and recorders that can conflict with harvest operations. After harvest, the remainder should be removed as soon as possible to allow for soil tillage. Removal of wire flags is most important.
2. Do not use Foundation Seed bags or bins for plot harvest unless authorized by the foundation seed coordinator. The farm usually has other bags available for samples or you may need to purchase your own.
3. Plot equipment must be scheduled, most with the farm manager, but some project owned equipment may need to be arranged with the project leader. If in doubt contact the farm manager.
4. After use, all equipment must be cleaned and straw or residue removed. Excess crop will be sold by the farm or must be destroyed if produced with non-labeled products.
5. Notify the farm manager as soon as you are through with your plots.

Back to Top

Equipment

1. Tractors and farm machinery will be dispatched from the farm office.
2. Check with the farm manager before setting up or using any farm equipment. If new employees need training on equipment operation, cleaning, or maintenance, please contact the farm manager.
3. Any equipment taken off-station must be cleaned with the pressure washer and disinfectant before and after being used. All UI R&E Centers have cleaning stations. Clean all equipment used on other stations at their cleaning station prior to returning to Kimberly.
4. If possible clean other off- station equipment prior to returning to the station and be sure to disinfect it as soon as you return.
5. If it is necessary to borrow any equipment from USDA please arrange that through the UI farm manager.
6. Be careful about any equipment that is going to areas that might contain jointed goatgrass, rhizomania, or other critical pathogens. Special precautions must be taken in these cases and arrangements must be made prior to leaving the station. All plot combines will need to be cleaned per the standards now in effect. Training will be provided by the farm crew before the equiment is taken off station.

Back to Top

Off Station Plots

1. Farm crew and equipment are primarily assigned to the R&E Center. Off station use of either will be authorized only after station needs have been accomplished.
2. Before committing to off-station plots be sure that all management and equipment needs have been considered.
3. When arranging for off station plots be sure that the area does not have any weeds or pathogens that could be a threat to the station.

Back to Top

Farm Crew

1. The farm crew activities are assigned by the superintendent or farm manager. Their primary responsibilities are the day to day operations of the center and general field activities.
2. Farm crew is available to projects only by making arrangements well in advance for their participation.
3. Only in exceptional circumstances will crew be available for long term use either on or off station. Any overtime resulting from project use of the farm crew will be charged to the project.
4. As research projects are planned, be sure to include the necessary resources for successfully completing your studies. If possible, do not rely on extended help from the farm crew or be prepared to pay for those services.

Back to Top