Spring 2012 - Quad City Engineering and Science Council

volunteer outreach activity during e-Week in
February. During this event, we reached almost 100
children and their families and taught them about
agricultural engineering. It was a great way to
spend a Saturday afternoon. I’m hoping that this
type of activity is something we can continue to be
involved in. It’s something that I am passionate
about, for sure!
None of these things would have happened this year
without an excellent Executive Committee. It’s
completely true that one person can’t do it all, and
this year was no exception. Without the help of
each of these people, we would not have had such a
great year. I need to especially thank Will Corman,
who was key to finding so many great speakers for
this year’s meetings. Will takes over as Section
Chair for the 2012-13 year, and I have no doubt that
he will do a great job.
I want to thank you for the support you’ve given our
Society this year. I have truly enjoyed being Section
Chair. I particularly enjoyed getting to know each
of you a little better at our meetings and events. I
truly believe we have the best section within
ASABE, and it was an honor to be able to lead this
section for the last year. I am always available to
any of you in the future – so please never be afraid
to contact me with questions, concerns, or ideas.
Enjoy the rest of your spring, and have a fabulous
summer! I’ll see you all again at the Fall meeting.-
Anne Ryerson, 2011-2012 Quad City Section Chair
Awards Meeting Review The 2012 ASABE Quad
City Section Awards Meeting was held at the
Viking Club in Moline on March 27 th with
approximately 60 members and guests present. The
meeting began with a technical session with two
speakers.
The first speaker, Larry Hendrickson, Senior Staff
Agronomist at the John Deere Technology
Innovation Center in Champaign, discussed “Water
and Nutrient Management and the Effect on Crop
Yields”. Crop yields will need to be doubled by
2030 to feed a world population of 9 billion as well
as provide crops dedicated to energy production.
Research shows large yield variations even within
the same field due mainly to topography and water
availability with water management the most
important factor determining crop yields. However
one study of yields from a field planted with a 24
row planter showed the center 8 rows yielding less
than the two outside sets of 8 rows likely indicating
soil compaction effects from the tractor pulling the
planter. The future of precision agriculture will lie
in reducing yield variability within the same field so
that maximum productivity may be realized. For
example, the way of measuring fertilizer application
may change from pounds/acre to grams/plant.
The second speaker, Chad Dow, a Senior Engineer
with the John Deere HydraFlex Draper design
team, discussed the features of this new product
which has been granted 13 patents with an
additional 12 patent disclosures submitted. Design
innovations include 7.5 inches of cutter bar flexing
across the entire width of the header, seamless
draper belts and the use of high strength steel. The
latter was a major contributor to John Deere being
the first United States company to receive the
Swedish Steel Prize, the equivalent of the steel
industry’s Nobel Prize.
The first portion of the after-dinner program
recognized the members serving the Section this
past year as officers and Member Service
Representatives. The membership longevity and
patent award recipients were recognized next and
are listed below. In addition, Section members
serving on national committees were also
recognized and are also listed below. The awards
program concluded with presentation of the
Section’s three local awards.
The John Deere 600 Series HydraFlex Draper
Platform design team was the recipient of the 2012
Outstanding Engineering Achievement Award.
Chad Dow accepted the award on behalf of the team
and the many others associated with the
development of this product.
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