TAPS & Technology: Interview with Dr. Paramveer Singh

In TAPS, competitors are able to try out and make management decisions with a range of decision support tools that gather data about crop and field conditions. We interviewed CSU-TAPS Research Program Manager, Dr. Paramveer Singh, to get his perspective on how this has gone in the program’s first year:

How many probes or other instruments have you installed for CSU-TAPS's inaugural competition in 2023?

For this year's CSU-TAPS, we've set up a total of 50 sensors. These include 29 soil moisture probes from 5 different providers (AquaSpy, CropX, Phytech, Sentek-GroGuru, and SoilSignal). We also have a permanent deep GroGuru soil moisture probe that we installed before corn was planted this year. Additionally, there are 5 Phytech plant sensors in the field, and we've added 15 of the latest Arable Mark 3 sensors to the setup.

Before taking on the role as CSU-TAPS Research Program Manager, you had significant experience with installing, maintaining, and monitoring different decision support technologies. Can you share something you've learned or insights you've gained or deepened related to what these tools provide?

I've used tools that measure how much water's in the soil, soil temperature, and environmental conditions important for crop production. These tools help us know how our crops are doing and if our management methods are working. I believe these tools are a big deal for farmers. With water becoming scarcer, new rules in place, and the changing climate, watching and controlling what we use on the farm is super important. Technology can really help with that. For example, data from the soil moisture probe can prevent us from under or over-watering crops. Cool new stuff like the drone imagery help flag our attention to where the bad and good spots in the field might be and potential problems with irrigation systems. All this information can help us take better care of our crops and know how they're growing.

From my experience, using these tools right can make farming easier and make us grow more and earn more. It's getting simpler to set up these sensors as companies improve them. Just pick a good spot on your farm and consult with others to determine the right number of sensors you might need to get a sense of what’s going on. After putting them in, check if they're giving good information. This year in CSU-TAPS, we had a problem with one soil moisture sensor. It was saying the soil was super dry, but I knew it wasn't. I found out it wasn't put in right, so I fixed the issue by reinstalling the sensor and then it worked fine. Keeping a close watch on your sensors is super important. I check what they tell me every day to catch any problems early.

Are there any aspects for improvement regarding these tools, or interfaces, that you generally hope to see be standardized by the Ag Tech sector?

The industry has made commendable efforts to enhance data presentation and user interfaces, making them more user-friendly and simple for customers. Web-based logins and apps are making it convenient for producers to access information. Simplifying the process for producers to access data is crucial, and some companies have excelled in this aspect.

While some interfaces are straightforward and easy to use, however, there's a need for further refinement to help people see trends and take action without sacrificing crucial information. For instance, in the case of soil moisture tools, some companies have introduced new irrigation-related indices without detailing the specific moisture levels they're based on. Standardizing this kind of information across all soil moisture tech providers would be valuable to developing trust and common understanding related to data coming from this kind of technology. With some other tools, some tech providers inundate users with excessive data parameters. To improve this, reducing the number of parameters or including brief explanations about each parameter's relationship to others and their implications for management practices would greatly assist users in understanding why the data are being presented and what they mean.

We are both sad and excited for you in that you are leaving soon to start a new professional chapter of life as an assistant professor in California. Is there something from your experience in helping to develop, implement and manage the first ever CSU-TAPS program that you anticipate taking forward to your new position?

I'm privileged and honored to have taken on the role of Research Project Manager for the TAPS program. It's a fantastic idea that brings together farmers, industries, and researchers to solve agricultural challenges. Working with all three groups has been a valuable experience. The launch of this program was a learning journey.

Although a lot of the project groundwork was already laid by the UNL-TAPS and IIC teams, there were still many moving parts to coordinate. UNL's support in launching this program has been invaluable, and I hope to replicate their responsiveness and assistance in my future programming efforts.

My new job involves creating a research and extension program to evaluate and implement agricultural technology. I'll collaborate closely with fellow researchers, ag tech companies, and farmers. My work with CSU-TAPS has given me the opportunity to collaborate with ag tech providers, understand their goals, and build connections. It also provided insight into farmers' perspectives on ag tech—what's helpful and what's not. Communication is a major part of this program, and I've learned how to effectively communicate with a diverse audience.

I'm learning a lot from my team, appreciating the importance of even the smallest details when launching a program, embracing constructive discussions, and valuing teamwork. Collaboration has proven to be a powerful approach.