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2 CapitalPress.com July 29, 2016 People & Places A smart app for growers Chandra Krintz develops program that delivers information directly to farmers Western Innovator By TIM HEARDEN Capital Press Chandra Krintz has always had an admiration for agricul- ture, having grown up on a farm in Indiana. But her irst love has always been comput- ers. When she was 8, her fa- ther, a junior high school teacher and principal, brought a computer home from the school for the summer so it wouldn’t be stolen, she said. “I just dove in,” Krintz said. “I wrote my irst com- puter program at age 8 and it changed my life. … I loved designing systems and solv- ing problems. It’s been my life ever since.” Now a computer science professor and researcher at the University of Califor- nia-Santa Barbara, Krintz has come “full circle,” she said. She’s developing a digital program called SmartFarm, which seeks to help growers identify real-time conditions in their ields and run their op- erations more eficiently. “It’s Amazon.com for ag,” she said. “Amazon was the irst example of a smart shop. … We want to do something analogous to that with Smart- Farm. Using tiny fence-like sen- sors that Krintz says are “su- per-cheap,” SmartFarm will virtually monitor the condi- tions of each plant and the soil around it and compile it with Chandra Krintz Occupation: Professor of computer science, University of California-Santa Barbara Residence: Santa Barbara, Calif. Website: http://www. cs.ucsb.edu/~ckrintz/ Courtesy of UCSB Chandra Krintz, a computer science professor at the University of California-Santa Barbara, is leading a project called SmartFarm that aims to help growers use data and technology to make their operations more eficient. other data such as weather forecasts to show a grower speciically where the needs are. The program, which will work as a phone or tablet app, will also enable growers to more eficiently tackle such tasks as irrigation scheduling and soil health management. “It will make predictions of the future, like when a frost is likely to occur, so when you take actions to prevent frost damage you can do that more accurately,” Krintz said. “We work with pistachio growers, and they turn on their water when it’s 9 degrees above a hard freeze. We believe that by taking very precise mea- surements at the plant level, we’ll collect individual in- formation … that will help a farmer make better decisions than what is possible today. “Right now a farmer looks at statewide weather infor- mation and sees that it might freeze,” she said. “We can tell you, ‘These are the trees that are going to have a hard frost.’” Krintz and fellow UCSB researcher Rich Wolski, a former chief technology of- icer at Eucalyptus Systems, are testing their system on a 20-acre experimental farm in a natural reserve north of Santa Barbara. They’re also collaborating through the UC Cooperative Extension with about 20 growers throughout California, Krintz said. “We’re kind of taking it from the tech angle,” she said. “We are not farmers or ranch- ers, but we feel like agricul- ture today is underserved by technology given the boom (in digital data use).” For Krintz, spending time on farms is all too familiar. Her family raised corn, soy- beans and alfalfa on 8 acres in rural Indiana, where her father — who was also raised on a farm — passed on to her a love for the earth and soil, she said. She moved to Southern California in the early ’90s to work in the computer indus- try, later earning a bachelor’s degree from California State University-Northridge and a master’s degree and doctor- ate in computer science from UC-San Diego. She joined the UCSB faculty in 2001. Krintz said the SmartFarm technology will be provided free to growers, who will own the data they load into the sys- tem. The hardware will be in- expensive, and because farm- ers and ranchers are busy, the researchers are trying to make the system as easy as possible to use, she said. “It has to make sense for growers,” she said. The system will come on- line by the end of this year and the software will be available online for people to try, Krintz said. She said the researchers hope the technology is some- day commonly used by farm- ers around the world. “I’m super excited,” she said. “I think the future looks tremendously bright. Even though growers and ranchers are facing many, many chal- lenges, there’s been such a boom on the consumer side with data analytics. Every- thing that’s done by Amazon, Google and Facebook can be applied to problems farmers have, and because these big, huge companies have done it for millions of people, we can do it for individuals as well. “We have no other choice” but to make better use of technology in agriculture, Krintz said. “We have to pro- duce enough food to feed 9 billion people by 2050, and 7 billion people today. We think automation and com- puting can really simplify what farmers do today. I real- ly believe that.” Extra-large steer named Buford stars at auction By JANAE SARGENT Capital Press LEBANON, Ore. — Coy Cowart and three friends joked about how many hamburgers his giant steer Buford would make. They decided the steer would produce 3,600 quar- ter-pounder hamburgers. Buford is not your average steer. Weighing in at 2,175 pounds, he brought 83 cents per pound at Cowart’s Lebanon Auction Yard on July 21. When Cowart stood next to Buford in the auction ring, the steer tow- ered over him. Buford was nearly twice as heavy as the average steer, which typically weighs approx- imately 1,200 pounds. Cowart called Buford his pet steer, having raised him for four years. “He was always the most gentle guy,” Cowart said. “When I would call him in he would lead all of the other cattle in with him. Cowart said he would have liked to keep Buford longer to see how much bigger he would get but that he became too big Janae Sargent/Capital Press Coy Cowart sold his pet steer Buford July 21 at his Lebanon Auction Yard for 83 cents per pound. Buford weighed in at 2,170 pounds, making him nearly 1,000 pounds heavier than an average steer. to manage with the other cattle. Cowart is co-owner of Lebanon Auction Yard with his wife, Helen, son Terry and daughter-in-law Lezlie. He started the auction yard in 1987 after he retired from a career in construction. “I never thought I would own a business before I retired,” Cowart said. “At 54 years old I spent a lifetime making money for other people and thought, Why not do it for myself?” When Cowart started the auction yard there were 18 other auction yards in Oregon — now there are eight. Three are left in the Willamette Val- ley. Diversiication has been a big contributor to Cowart’s success. He said he realized early on that auctioning dairy cows wouldn’t be enough to sustain his family so he began investing in other areas. The auction yard now sells farm equipment and an- imals and provides trucking services, contracts cattle and transports hay and feed. Cowart expanded the auc- tion yard last year with the addition of a 100-by-240-foot barn and expects to put in an- other, bigger barn later this year. Cowart said family is a huge part of Lebanon Auc- tion Yard and his life. He has 12 grandchildren and 8 great-grandchildren that help out at the auction yard and in his garden at home. “I believe in God, family and the nation,” Cowart said, quoting Republican presiden- tial candidate Donald Trump. Cowart said he encourages all of his children and grand- children to own their own businesses. He spoke proudly of his grandson, Matt Cowart, who in 2015 opened a brewery in Lebanon, Ore. Cowart said he takes out-of-town business associates and friends to Con- version Brewing whenever they are visiting. He said everyone at Leba- non Auction Yard is like fami- ly, whether they are related or not. In selling Buford, Cow- art said most people don’t want to eat pets once they’ve named them but that he won’t have that problem. “I’ll have no problem eat- ing Buford,” Cowart said. “He’s going to make some good steaks.” Capital Press Established 1928 Board of directors Mike Forrester ..........................President Steve Forrester Kathryn Brown Sid Freeman .................. Outside director Mike Omeg .................... Outside director Corporate oficer John Perry Chief operating oficer Capital Press Managers Mike O’Brien .............................Publisher Joe Beach ..................................... Editor Elizabeth Yutzie Sell .... Advertising Director Carl Sampson ................Managing Editor Barbara Nipp ......... Production Manager Samantha McLaren .... Circulation Manager Entire contents copyright © 2016 EO Media Group dba Capital Press An independent newspaper published every Friday. Capital Press (ISSN 0740-3704) is published weekly by EO Media Group, 1400 Broadway St. NE, Salem OR 97301. Periodicals postage paid at Portland, OR, and at additional mailing ofices. POSTMASTER: send address changes to Capital Press, P.O. Box 2048 Salem, OR 97308-2048. To Reach Us Toll free ............................. 800-882-6789 Main line ........................... 503-364-4431 Fax ................................... 503-370-4383 Advertising Fax ................ 503-364-2692 News Staff N. 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Box 2048 Salem, OR 97308-2048 News: Contact the main ofice or news staff member closest to you, send the in- formation to newsroom@capitalpress.com or mail it to “Newsroom,” c/o Capital Press. Include a contact telephone number. Letters to the Editor: Send your comments on agriculture-related public issues to opinions@capitalpress.com, or mail your letter to “Opinion,” c/o Capital Press. Letters should be limited to 300 words. Deadline: Noon Monday. Capital Press ag media Calendar Sponsored by: To submit an event go to the Community Events calendar on the home page of our website at www. capitalpress.com and click on “Sub- mit an Event.” Calendar items can also be mailed to Capital Press, 1400 Broadway St. NE, Salem, OR 97301. Friday, July 29 Hood River County Fair, noon- 11 p.m. Hood River County Fair- grounds, 3020 Wy’east Road, Hood River, Ore. Gates open at noon each day, carnival rides begin at 1 p.m. General admission is $8 per adult Wednesday and Thursday, and $10 per adult on Friday and Saturday. Children ages 6-12 (in- clusive) are admitted for $3 every day; children younger than 6 are admitted free. Season tickets are available ($30 for adults, $10 ages 6-12 inclusive). Fair parking is free. Saturday and Sunday July 30-31 The Great Oregon Steam-Up, 9 a.m.-5 p.m. The Great Oregon Steam-Up is the largest event at Antique Powerland during the year and it involves all of the museums and many other participants. One of the unique aspects of the event is that most of the equipment is operating. 3995 Brooklake Road NE, Brooks, Ore. Daily admission $12 per person, 12 and under free. www.antiquepowerland.com/html/ steam-up.html Hood River County Fair, noon- 11 p.m. Hood River County Fair- grounds, 3020 Wy’east Road, Hood River, Ore. Gates open at noon each day, carnival rides begin at 1 p.m. General admission is $8 per adult Wednesday and Thursday, and $10 per adult on Friday and Saturday. Children ages 6-12 (in- clusive) are admitted for $3 every day; children younger than 6 are admitted free. Season tickets are available ($30 for adults, $10 ages 6-12 inclusive). Fair parking is free. Saturday and Sunday Aug. 6-7 The Great Oregon Steam-Up, GASES / WELDING / SAFETY / FIRE www.oxarc.com 9 a.m.-5 p.m. The Great Oregon Steam-Up is the largest event at Antique Powerland during the year and it involves all of the museums and many other participants. One of the unique aspects of the event is that most of the equipment is operating. 3995 Brooklake Road NE, Brooks, Ore. Daily admission $12 per person, 12 and under free. www.antiquepowerland.com/html/ steam-up.html Sunday, Aug. 7 “Raised Country” Music Festi- val, 1 p.m. Antelope Church lawn, Antelope, Ore. The festival kicks off at 1 p.m. with Joni Harms, fol- lowed by an authentic Chuckwagon Barbecue with Paradise Rose and the harmonies of Central Oregon’s Mud Springs Gospel Band, while the kids stay busy with the ranch animal petting area, face painting and other activities. Headlining the festival at 3:45 p.m. will be Susie McEntire. Saturday, Aug. 13 Harvest Fest, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. 20 Northwest Locations Yamhill Valley Heritage Center, 11275 SW Durham Lane, McMin- nville, Ore. Threshing, binding and baling oats using vintage farm equip- ment, horses and mules; “Parade of Power” tractor parade at 1 p.m. each day; pioneer kids’ activities, pedal tractors and petting animals. $5 admission, kids under 12 are free. www.yamhillcountyhistory.org Oregon Cannabis Growers Fair, 10 a.m.-4 p.m., Oregon State Fairgrounds, 2330 17th St. NE, Salem. Over age 21 only. https:// oregoncannabisgrowersfair.com/ Sunday, Aug. 14 Harvest Fest, noon-4 p.m. Yamhill Valley Heritage Center, 11275 SW Durham Lane, McMin- nville, Ore. Threshing, binding and baling oats using vintage farm equipment, horses and mules; “Parade of Power” tractor parade at 1 p.m. each day; pioneer kids’ activities, pedal tractors and pet- ting animals. $5 admission, kids under 12 are free. www.yamhill- countyhistory.org 1-800-765-9055 Oregon Cannabis Growers Fair, 10 a.m.-4 p.m., Oregon State Fairgrounds, 2330 17th St. NE, Salem. Over age 21 only. https://oregoncannabisgrowers- fair.com/ Tuesday, Aug. 16 Oregon Soil and Water Com- mission Meeting, 8:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Hilton Garden Inn, 3528 Gateway St., Springield, Ore. www.oregon.gov/ODA/programs/ NaturalResources/SWCD/Pages/ SWCC.aspx Practical Food Safety & HACCP Workshop. This is a comprehen- sive, three-day workshop, designed for those individuals responsible for implementing and managing a HACCP system in a food manu- facturing facility. Participants who pass a inal test will receive a cer- tiicate of completion. Idaho Water Center, 322 E. Front St., Boise, Idaho. Cost: $650. www.techhelp. org/events/273/practical-food-safe- ty-haccp-workshop-august-16-18- in-boise/ www.capitalpress.com www.FarmSeller.com www.AgDirectoryWest.com marketplace.capitalpress.com www.facebook.com/capitalpress www.facebook.com/farmseller www.facebook.com/onlyAGdotcom twitter.com/capitalpress www.youtube.com/capitalpressvideo www.blogriculture.com Index Markets ............................... 13 Opinion .................................. 6 Correction policy Accuracy is important to Capital Press staff and to our readers. If you see a misstatement, omission or factual error in a headline, story or photo caption, please call the Capital Press news department at 503-364-4431, or send email to newsroom@capitalpress.com. We want to publish corrections to set the record straight.