Farming Tech

Old McDonald’s farm was never like this. We’ll spy on how satellites and other new technology are helping farmers keep track of their cows and corn -- today on Engineering Works!

McDonald never heard of the global positioning system, GPS. But if he was farming these days, he’d probably be using global positioning system technology to keep track of his cows and all the other animals. GPS satellites, computers, new sensors and other high-tech tools are helping farmers harvest information from their fields -- information they can use to harvest more crops.

Sensors in this cornfield, for instance, are measuring how fertile the soil is.

GPS satellites overhead read where the sensors are, and the farmer’s computer puts the data together and draws a map to show which areas need more fertilizer, and what kind.

Other sensors see where pests are chowing down on tasty crops, and map out where to apply insect killers. It’s all about making farming more efficient, doing the right things at the right time.

If you know exactly how much fertilizer and pesticide you need, and where you need it, you can be sure you’re applying enough without putting down too much. The same technology can also warn you about water pollution and other environmental problems before they get out of hand.

Bet Old McDonald wishes his farm was high-tech.

Action Line Information

Q: Where can we recycle newspapers, glass, aluminum? We just moved into a condo.

• A: If you live in a condo or apartment complex in Miami-Dade, your management association, by county ordinance, is required to set up recycling services. If yours doesn't, let the Department of Solid Waste Management know by calling 305-594-1500. Unfortunately, the ordinance doesn't have much in the way of teeth, so the department can do little to see that it's enforced. Making it worse, the county doesn't offer any recycling drop-off facilities, either.

The department's website, www.miamidade.gov/dswm, offers information about selecting a recycler. Landlords or condo associations can refer to the Yellow Pages or ask their waste hauler for recommendations.

Single family homes and duplexes in Miami-Dade receive weekly curbside recycling. Who's responsible for picking it up depends on whether you live in unincorporated Dade, in which case DSWM handles it, or in a municipality. If it's the latter, check with your city hall.

The DSWM website explains what items may be recycled.

As in Dade, residents in multifamily dwellings in Broward's relatively small unincorporated areas are also to implement and maintain a recycling program. Residents in municipalities should check with their city's recycling coordinator. Call your city hall or the county's recycling hotline, 954-765-4999. To learn what can be recycled and what Broward does with it 450 tons of recyclables it collects daily, visit www.broward.org/waste.


• Q: How can I recycle a perfectly good computer? All parts are working.

• A: Search www.mygreenelectronics.org, a project of the Consumer Electronics Association. In addition, try the Electronic Industries Alliance, which has created E-cycling Central, with resources organized by state for recycling and reusing electronics at www.eiae.org. It also lists places to recycle batteries and electronics, such as LCD monitors, that contain mercury.

Also organized by state is www.earth911.org, which offers resources for recycling a variety of household and business items, including electronics.

You can list reuseable electronics and business equipment at www.recycle.org. The website acts as an exchange, sending the details to nonprofit organizations that need the equipment. Arrangements are worked out between the donor and recipients.

• Q: I'm clearing out my shed, which is full of old containers of pesticides, fertilizers, paint, solvents and similar stuff. I don't think any of it belongs in the regular trash, so what should I do with it?

• A: You're right, it doesn't belong in the garbage.

All these items can be dropped of at your county's home chemicals collection site. You may want to confirm before hand the times of opening and whether the site accepts the items you want to bring. (Some take electronics, for example.)

Here are the details:

Miami-Dade County has two home chemical collection sites: 8831 NW 58th Street in West Dade, and 23707 SW 97th Ave., Gate-B in South Dade. They're open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Wednesday through Sunday. Additional information is available at www.miamidade.gov/dswm or by calling 305-594-1500.

Broward County has three household hazardous waste collection sites: 2780 N. Powerline Rd., Pompano Beach, and 5601 W. Hallandale Beach Blvd., Hollywood, which are open from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays; and 5490 Reese Road, Davie, which is open on Saturdays only and accepts a more limited list of items. Learn more at www.broward.org/waste or call 954-765-4999.