CropMD© Learning Modules
CropMD© is a computer-based crop record-keeping system developed to facilitate management of field-specific crop management data. It provides the framework for an information based system for assessing crop management practices at field, farm, multi-farm and regional scales.
Currently several hundred Pennsylvania crop producers use CropMD software. Well ahead of planting, producers enter planned crop rotations, tillage practices, cover crops, soil nutrient levels, manure applications, fertilizers, pesticides and crop production costs. Since the database calculates nutrients available from previous crops and manure applications, the database also aids in the nutrient management planning process. During the growing season, emergency treatments, changes in management practices and yields are recorded in CropMD; at the end of the growing season data are analyzed and summarized into important reports for assessing practice outcomes. Reports include corn hybrid evaluation, soybean variety evaluation, crop production costs, net return per crop, whole farm nutrient efficiency evaluation and yield comparisons based on crop rotation and soil type.
Because CropMD recently became server based, software updates and data management are accomplished with greater ease. Currently, 2007 and 2008 data for 25 producers with 606 fields and a total of 4,402 acres have been entered into the server based CropMD by cooperative extension data technicians in Lebanon County. These producers are participating in the Park-the-Plow program, which transitions producers to no-till practices. In addition, 2008 data for 37 producers with 2,088 fields and a total of 8,419 acres have been entered by the West Branch Crop Management Association consultant. These producers are members of the West Branch Crop Management Association and pay an acreage fee for scouting and management services. Finally, 2 individual producers from Delaware and Pennsylvania with 1,000 and 925 acres, respectively, are entering data into their own respective databases accessible through the server. All databases are secured with passwords and accessible only to authorized individuals.
Below are links to the updated learning modules for Version 9 of CropMD©.
Version 9 of CropMD©
- Entering Farm Data
- Entering Machinery, Corn Drying, Labor and Miscellaneous Costs
- Entering the Farm Inputs Inventory
- Entering Land Tenure and Conservation
- Entering Field-Specific Data
- Pesticide Use
- Farm Nutrients
- Farm Summaries
- Multi-Farm/Year Summaries
For information on how to purchase CropMD contact Jan Pruss at jap5@psu.edu.