College of Engineering News • Iowa State University

ISU Research Park boosts learning, economic development

July 5, 2017 Dana Wilson, MFA

Deere is setting up a research and innovation center collaborating with, among others, Matt Darr in the agricultural and biosystems engineering department. Darr, who was recently named to the Kinze Manufacturing Fellowship in Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering, has conducted several projects with Deere, many dealing with biomass harvesting equipment at Iowa State’s BioCentury Research Farm … Continue reading ISU Research Park boosts learning, economic development

Innovative grad retrofits motorcycle and develops app for ethanol plants

May 3, 2017 Dana Wilson, MFA

Bringing home a brand-new Harley Davidson to modify is a little nerve-racking, but that’s what Alex Shaw did to fulfill his dream. “From a young age I realized I couldn’t ride a traditional motorcycle,” said Shaw who is graduating with an agricultural systems technology and industrial technology bachelor’s degree. The nerves in Shaw’s right hand were damaged … Continue reading Innovative grad retrofits motorcycle and develops app for ethanol plants

Kinze Fellowship awarded to Iowa State University Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering professor, Matt Darr

March 24, 2017 Dana Wilson, MFA

Matt Darr, associate professor in Iowa State University’s agricultural and biosystems engineering department, has received a fellowship recently created by the founders and owners of KINZE Manufacturing Inc. in Williamsburg, Iowa.

Darr: Big data presents big opportunity

March 6, 2017 Dana Wilson, MFA

Matt Darr, an Iowa State University professor of ag and biosystems engineering, sees new opportunities in digital agriculture. “It’s about using precision information to help farmers do things better, more efficiently and profitably.”

Birds-eye view of agriculture

December 13, 2016 Dana Wilson, MFA

Matt Darr, an associate professor of agricultural and biosystems engineering at Iowa State University, called UAVs a “bleeding-edge technology” with great potential in agriculture. And faculty and students at Iowa State are playing a multifaceted role in advancing this emerging technology, he says. Iowa State engineers are developing software to make UAVs smarter and faster at … Continue reading Birds-eye view of agriculture

Darr represents Iowa AgSTATE on agricultural data coalition

August 22, 2016 Dana Wilson, MFA

Iowa AgSTATE has joined the Agricultural Data Coalition as a founding member. Iowa AgSTATE has been actively involved in digital agriculture strategy and education and summarized its work in a 2014 report on the Digital Transformation of Row Crop Agriculture. Matt Darr, agricultural and biosystems engineering, will serve as Iowa AgSTATE’s representative on the ADC … Continue reading Darr represents Iowa AgSTATE on agricultural data coalition

Darr: Big data can add farm profits

August 3, 2016 Dana Wilson, MFA

Iowa State University agricultural and biosystems engineering professor Matt Darr said the constant change in ways of farming, technology and data has helped farmers add value to operations. “I’m guessing there aren’t any 40-year cover crop users or you may be applying nitrogen differently than you used to, and now you are using more data to … Continue reading Darr: Big data can add farm profits

Strip-till technologies focus of ISU field day, July 13

July 11, 2016 Dana Wilson, MFA

The event will begin with a discussion of agronomic considerations for strip-tillage. Sessions on fall versus spring strip-tillage and the use of UAV technology for crop scouting will follow. The day will conclude with lunch and an optional field tour of strip-till research at Iowa State. Matt Darr and Mark Hanna will make presentations during the … Continue reading Strip-till technologies focus of ISU field day, July 13

Darr: How today’s farmers got a head-start on tomorrow’s tech

July 6, 2016 Dana Wilson, MFA

“In a day and age when you get excited about what’s happening with autonomous vehicles and folks like Google are making strides, we’re proud that agriculture has been using it in food production in the US for going on two decades now,” said Matt Darr, an associate professor in Iowa State University’s Department of Agriculture … Continue reading Darr: How today’s farmers got a head-start on tomorrow’s tech

ISU-licensed tech wins big at international ag expo

November 9, 2015 Dana Wilson, MFA

Technology developed at Iowa State University and licensed to John Deere will receive three innovation awards at one of the world’s most prestigious agricultural technology conventions next week. The three innovation “Silver Medal” awards will be presented at AGRITECHNICA 2015, a global showcase of ag machinery in Hannover, Germany, set to run November 10-14. The … Continue reading ISU-licensed tech wins big at international ag expo

Darr: Planting perfection- Using hydraulic downforce

September 24, 2015 Dana Wilson, MFA

A fundamental of planting, good downforce management is a critical aspect of operating a planter well. “It has equal advantage in terms of pushing variety selection,” notes Matt Darr, associate professor, Iowa State University. Yet, planters are one of the more complex pieces of machinery in agriculture. “As the size of planters has grown and … Continue reading Darr: Planting perfection- Using hydraulic downforce

Darr: Calibrate yield monitors more often

August 24, 2015 Dana Wilson, MFA

Data to drive management decisions is becoming more important as increasingly sophisticated analysis services come online. “The analysis you can get on hybrids, fertility and other management programs is only as good as the data allows,” says Matt Darr, a precision agriculture specialist and professor of agricultural and biosystems engineering at Iowa State University. “Benchmarking … Continue reading Darr: Calibrate yield monitors more often