CIGR Newsletter No 41

CIGR-SPONSORED ACTIVITIES

A chronological list of events in the field of agricultural engineering can also be found in our Calendar of Events which can be consulted on CIGR's Web site:

http://wwworg.nlh.no/CIGR/

3rd IFAC/CIGR Workshop on Artificial Intelligence in Agriculture

This event will be held in Makuhari, Japan on 24-26 April 1998. It is organised by SHITA in cooperation with ECB, JAICAE and SICE.

The purpose of this workshop is to provide a forum for the presentation of new results in research, development and applications of AI in agriculture. The workshop aims at bringing together leading researchers and practitioners from academy and industry in order to favour the emergence or consolidation of bridges between AI and its applications in agriculture and domains connected to it (in particular environmental sciences). Some insights on future trends of this rapidly evolving field can be expected to emerge.

Contributions should demonstrate or assess the applicability and usefulness of AI methods for modelling and managing systems in agriculture and related domains. The international programme committee is soliciting original papers on theoretical aspects concerning fundamental representation issues commonly encountered in agricultural problems, on tools, techniques, algorithms used in applications and on applications themselves. Papers could either describe

significant results from ongoing research, implementations or critical analyses of existing systems and approaches.

Topics of interest include:

Fundamental representation issues:

Management of spatio/temporal knowledge (spatio/ temporal reasoning, extension of GIS capabilities,

reasoning across several levels of temporal or spatial granularity);

Management of uncertainty and imprecision (fuzzy logic, belief functions, Bayesian networks, qualitative reasoning);

Modelling of multi-agent systems (population modelling, distributed problem solving);

Tools, techniques, algorithms

Use of emerging technologies (neural network, genetic algorithms, fuzzy control, constraint satisfaction, case-based reasoning);

Fusion of multiple sources of information (in particular for interpretation systems);

Rise of AI in simulation tools (discrete event systems, use of advanced representation capabilities, qualitative/quantitative simulation);

Integration/combination of AI approaches with other approaches.

Applications and practical issues

Successful or novel AI decision support approaches for planning, scheduling, control, monitoring, prediction or diagnosis problems in agriculture and related domains;

Commercialised and routinely used AI-based systems, in particular expert and knowledge-based systems (in laboratories, extension services, farms,…);

Critical analysis of project failures;

Validation issues for AI-based decision support systems.

Language: English, no simultaneous translation will be provided.

Additional information can be obtained from:

Prof. Yasushi Hashimoto, Dept. Biomechanical Systems, Ehime University, Tarumi, Matsuyama 790, Japan

Fax.: +81 89 947 8748

e-mail : hasimoto@agr.ehime-u.ac.jp

or: Prof. Haruhiko Murase, Dept. Regional Env. Sci., Osaka Prefecture University, Gakuen, Sakai 593, Japan.

Fax.: +81 722 52 0341

E-mail : hmurase@bics.envi.osakafu-u.ac.jp

3rd International Workshop on Minor Rural Roads

This workshop which will be a cooperation between CIGR-Section I (Land and Water Use) and PIARC (Permanent International Association of Road Congresses) will be held in Jozefov, near Warsaw, in Poland. The workshop will take place from 19-21 May 1998.

The theme of the workshop is: Optimisation of Rural Road Networks.

The workshop has the following objectives:

to facilitate exchange of technology and state-of-the-art reports on secondary rural road planning, design, construction management, financing and administration,
to lead to synthesis of ‘best practice’ principles (guidelines, handbooks, etc.) for these aspects and encourage international cooperation for this purpose,
increase awareness of the vital role of these roads for economic development, especially in countries with developing economics or in transition.

The main theme is therefore subdivided into five specific themes: *socio-economic impacts of rural roads *rural road design *rural road construction *rural road maintenance * institutional organisation, financing and legal aspects, privatisation.

The workshop will consist of two days of presentations of papers and posters and discussions. A field excursion will be organised for the third day.

For further information, please contact the secretary of the organising committee: GDDP, General Directorate of Public Roads, c/o Mrs. Magdalena Ataman, ul. Wspolna 1/3, 00-921 Warsawa, Poland. Fax.: +48 22 625 3467.

International Symposium on Agro-Environmental Issues and Future Strategies towards the 21st Century

The Faculty of Agricultural Engineering and Technology of the University of Agriculture of Faisalabad , Pakistan organises an international symposium ‘Agroenviron ‘98’ on May 25-30, 1998.

Topics will include: *agro-chemicals and groundwater contamination *agricultural machinery related noise pollution *soil compaction *erosion *agro-industrial pollution and acid rain *agro-environmental impact assessment and legislation *industrial/sewage irrigation and soil pollution *modelling agro-environmental systems *farm wastes *recycling and energy generation *mountainous deforestation and management *any other topic

For further information please contact Prof. Jehangir Khan Sial, Symposium Director, Faculty of Agricultural Engineering and Technology, University of Agriculture, Faisalabad, Pakistan.

Fax.: +92 41 33214 / 647846 / 30679

E-mail : iqrar@ptccuaf.fsd.brain.net.pk (attn. J.K. Sial)

Second International Workshop on Control Applications in Post-Harvest and Processing Technology

This event is organised by the Department of Physics and Process Control of Gödöllö University of Agricultural Sciences, the Hungarian Academy of Sciences and GUAS Process Control Research Group. It is sponsored by IFAC, ISHS, EurAgEng and CIGR.

The workshop will be held on June 3-5, 1998 in Budapest, Hungary.

The scope of the workshop is to give the state-of-the-art and application of control methods in storage and processes of agricultural and horticultural products. Furthermore future developments will be discussed on intelligent control and on the use of artificial intelligence in combination with on-line observations of plants or processed products.

Topics will include: *optimal control, intelligent control, fuzzy control *measurement and modelling of crop or produce responses for quality enhancement during storage or processing *identification of control structures based on plant responses *intelligent, crop based decision criteria *effect of product variability on control strategy *compartments and instruments for controls in processing and storage *artificial intelligence applications in post-harvest technology *systems engineering in post-harvest, storage and processing technology *man-machine interaction in post-harvest technology *economic and management evaluation of advanced control systems in post-harvest *social effects of automatic control in storage and processing.

Further information from: Prof. I. Farkas, Dept. Physics & Process Control, University of Agricultural Sciences of Gödöllö, Pater K. u. 1, H-2103 Hungary.

Fax.: +36 28 310 804 E-mail:: IFARKAS@FFT.GAU.HU

1st IFAC/CIGR Workshop on Control Applications and Ergonomics in Agriculture

This event is organised by the Agricultural University of Athens, Greece on behalf of the Technical Chamber of Greece, sponsored by the International Federation of Automatic Control (IFAC) and co-sponsored by CIGR and ASAE. This workshop will be held in Athens, Greece on 14-17 June 1998.

Scope:

A wide ranging programme is planned, covering the principal areas where the fusion of control engineering and ergonomics may have a major impact on agricultural processes, their management, safety and efficiency and the well-being of the labourer. Emphasis will be placed on applications of control technologies in agriculture. Stands will also be available for companies to present their products.

Papers are solicited in all aspects of theory and applications of systems, including decision-making, control, adaptation, optimisation, process and machine automation, man-machine interfacing and farm management systems.

Topics include:

Generic developments

Use of emerging technologies (ANNs, genetic algorithms, fuzzy methodology, neurofuzzy control)
Sensor fusion for estimation, detection, quality assessment, interpretation
Generic tools and new methods for the design & development of control systems, intelligent machines, supervision, human interfaces
Models and model methodology (plants, animals, buildings, processes) for optimal control or management

Implementation of control and management (in production agriculture & processing of agricultural products)

Control and management of agricultural systems at farm or regional level (irrigation, buildings, greenhouses, water resources, energy, etc.)
Post-harvest process control
Internet, Intranet and local nets, GIS, GPS, for farm management
Machine automation, harvesting and robotics
Methodology and standardisation of

Control requirements and assessment
Networks and communications in agricultural systems
Data & knowledge exchange (application layer)

Sensors and data acquisition

Image sensors and sensor fusion
Biosensors and qualitative sensors
Data acquisition, processing, DSP and storage

3. Ergonomics and human interfaces

Labour aids, man-in-the-loop systems and human welfare
Safety, man-machine interfacing (contact and contactless voice, sound, video, tele-operation, display and monitoring design, UI)
Labour efficiency enhancements, fatigue detection

Future prospects of control applications in agriculture

Optimal climate control by integration of plant or animal responses
New network techniques for control in agriculture
New ideas or concepts for disease control
(Proposals for topics of new sessions are encouraged).

One of the poster sessions will be devoted to presenting ideas and proposals where presenters can stimulate partnerships.

The meeting will be structured to maintain maximum interaction between participants and to permit presentations across a wide range, from control methodologies and technology advances to practical implementation of models. Plenary sessions and panel discussions will be in the programme.

Language: English

Further information from:

Prof. Nick Sigrimis, Agricultural University of Athens, Dept. of Agricultural Engineering, Iera odos 75, 118 55 Athens, Greece.

Fax. : +30 1 529 40 39

E-mail (1) : n.sigrimis@computer.org

E-mail (2) : ifac@auadec.aua.ariadne-t.gr

http://www.aua.ariadne-t.gr/ns

1st Inter-Regional Conference on Environment-Water: Innovative Issues in Irrigation and Drainage

This Conference is scheduled on 16, 17 and 18 September 1998 in Lisbon, Portugal and is organised by the Portuguese National Committee of ICID and co-sponsored by Section I of CIGR ‘Land and Water Use’.

Themes that will be treated are:

Combating pollution

*Knowledge-based development models *Indicators, measurement and monitoring *Environmental impact, impact on the aquatic biosphere *Health concerns *Socio-economic aspects *Cropping techniques to prevent pollution with agro-chemicals and fertilisers *Irrigation techniques favouring pollution control *Drainage to control soil and aquifers contamination *Soil rehabilitation

Demand management

*Minimising water losses in conveyance and distribution systems *Improved regulation and control *Irrigation scheduling and delivery scheduling *Systems monitoring and evaluation *Water saving irrigation techniques *Combined irrigation scheduling and water application techniques *Re-use of return flows *Water conservation practices *Socio-economic incentives *Water saving impact *Participatory issues *Organisational requirements

Combating chronic water deficits

*Demand and availability assessments *Land use impact, cropping patterns *Impact of inter-basin transfer *Forecasting, planning and management methodologies *Financial incentives *Organisational and institutional arrangements *Trans-regional and trans-national policies *Case studies

Prevention and management of crisis

*Information systems and networks *Forecasting methodologies and models *Impact of global changes *Causes and effects of natural catastrophes *Drought *Floods *Management tools *Emergency measures *Organisational and institutional aspects *Case studies

Languages: English, Portuguese and French translation will be provided during the conference.

Information from : Portuguese National Committee of ICID, Instituto da Agua, Av. Almirante Gago Coutinho 30, 1000 Lisboa, Portugal.

Fax.: +351 1 847 30 23 E-mail : lenamar@inag.pt

International Conference on Engineering in Agriculture

This event will be held on 27-30 September 1998 in the Conference Centre, The University of Western Australia, Nedlands (a suburb of Perth), Perth, Western Australia 6009 and is organised by the Australian Society for Engineering in Agriculture (SEAg). Co-sponsors are CIGR, ASAE, AAAE. The aim of the International Conference is to service members of the profession primarily from Asia, South Africa and Pacific rim countries.

Conference theme is: Engineering Better Agricultural Environments.

Contact: Glen Riethmuller, Agriculture WA, Drylands Research Institute, Merredin, Western Australia 6415, Australia.

Fax.: +61 8 90 41 11 38

E-mail : Riethmul@merredin.agric.wa.gov.au

International Agricultural Engineering Conference 1998

This event will be held in the Asian Institute of Technology, Bangkok, Thailand on 7-10 December 1998. It is co-sponsored by the Asian Institute of Technology (AIT), AAAE, ASAE, the Chinese Society of Agricultural Machinery (CSAM), the Japanese Society of Agricultural Machinery (JSAM) and CIGR.

The following topics will be treated: *Power and machinery *Food and process engineering *Soil and water *Energy in agriculture *Agricultural systems *Structures and environment *Electronics in agriculture *Agricultural waste management *Agro-industry *Agricultural engineering education *Ergonomics *Terramechanics *New materials *Emerging technologies.

Language: English.

Registration fees:

Before 31 August 1998:

Participant: 330 USD, Accompanying person: 180 USD

After 31 August 1998:

Participant: 350 USD, Accompanying person: 200 USD.

The registration fee is inclusive the cost of proceedings, refreshments, lunches, field trips and banquet. It will also cover the regular membership fee of AAAE for the year 1999.

A full social programme for accompanying persons will be provided.

For more information please contact:

Prof. V.M. Salokhe, Agricultural and Food Engineering Programme, Asian Institute of Technology, P.O. Box 4, Klong Luang, Pathumthani 12120, Thailand.

Fax.: +66 2 524 6200 E-mail : salokhe@ait.ac.th

AIT homepage: http://www.ait.ac.th

Chilean Congress CIACH ‘99

The next congress of the Chilean Association of Agricultural Engineering CIACH’99 will be held on 5, 6 and 7 May 1999 in Chillan, Chile.

Further information can be obtained from Dr. Alejandro Valenzuela A., Universidad de Concepcion, Facultad de Ingenieria Agricola, Departamento De Riego Y Drenaje, Avenida Vicente Méndez 595, Casilla 537, Chillan, Chile.

Fax.: +56 42 228 360 E-mail : driego@halcon.dpi.udec.cl

International Symposium on Dust Control in Animal Production Facilities

This event, sponsored by CIGR, EurAgEng, NJF (Scandinavian Association of Agricultural Scientists) and DJS (Danish Society for Agricultural Medicine) and organised by the Danish Institute of Agricultural Sciences (DIAS) will be held in Jutland, Denmark on 31 May - 2 June 1999.

The following topics will be discussed at the symposium:

Sources of dust and their characterisation,
Measurement of dust concentration and particle size,
Dose response and control standards,
The impact of dust on animals,
Health risks for humans,
Effect of dust emissions on the environment,
Modelling of dust concentration distribution indoors and in the surroundings,
Dust reduction techniques.

The seminar will be held in Aarhus, Scandinavian Congress Centre and an excursion tour to the Research Centre Bygholm (FCB), Horsens (abatement techniques), and Research Centre Foulum (FCF), near Viborg (animal science) will be offered on Wednesday 2 June.

Language: English.

Abstracts, not exceeding 300 words should be submitted before 1 September 1998. Notification of acceptance will be given before December 1998. The proceedings will be available at the symposium.

General correspondence:

Dust Symposium 1999, Research Centre Bygholm, P.O.Box 536, DK-8700 Horsens, Denmark.

Fax: +45 75 624 880 E-mail : sp6@sh.dk

ASAE INTERNATIONAL MEETINGS

Consult also ASAE on the WWW: http://asae.org/

1998

Mar. 8-10, 7th International Drainage Symposium, Orlando, Florida, USA.

Jul. 12-16, ASAE Annual International Meeting, Orlando, Florida, USA.

Oct. 28-30, 7th International Computers in Agriculture Conference, Orlando, Florida, USA.

1999

Jul. 18-22, ASAE Annual International Meeting, Toronto, Canada (joint with CSAE).

More information on these events can be obtained from: