| Specifications of PC do I need to use WDM? |
| To run the Wheat Disease Manager program you require a computer with at least a 400MHz processor, 128MB RAM, a 20MB hard disc, a CD drive, and an internet connection. |
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| Do I need a met station? |
| No, as weather data can be downloaded from any one of 10 sites around the UK (often based on RAF stations). The weather data available will be current . The data can be modified by the user if conditions have varied from those recorded by the met station. Forecast data can be added by the user for up to five days ahead.
If you have a met station on the farm, you may be able in time to link it to WDM. This facility is not available yet, but is in the development pipeline.
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| What if I have not got internet access? |
| WDM can be run without access to the internet. You can either use historic met data stored on the CD , or entered manually met data recorded on the farm |
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| How much farm data do I need to enter to make WDM work? |
| Not very much. To make WDM work you need data on the variety, sowing date, field name, weather, growth stages and disease levels. Data in the first three categories are added only once, the weather comes via the internet, and the final two categories of data are best entered before WDM is run each time. |
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| What will WDM do for me? |
| WDM gives you three different benefits:
- allows you to test your own spray programmes
- to explore alternative disease control strategies
- to expand your knowledge through the comprehensive encyclopaedia.
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| How does WDM deal with tank mixes? |
| The WDM draws down data from the Central Science Laboratories Liaison database of recognised tank mixes. It contains upwards of 50 000 possible options. |
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| How often will I need to use WDM? |
| Prior to each important spray timing, inorder to assess risk and quantifiably mange that risk with appropriate spray choice,timing,rate and sequences |
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| How can I learn to use it? |
| A half-day training workshop was part of the package this season; this was inorder to help users become familiar with the programme. |
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| Will I be able to get help? |
| A telephone, fax and email service has been put in place in order to support users. |
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| How up to date is the pesticide information? |
| The pesticide information comes from CSL’s LIAISON database which is updated daily. The WDM program was updated the day before the CD was printed – in early March. There is currently no facility for updating the information once the program is being used, but this is a step in the development pipeline. |
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| What type of ‘answers’ does WDM give me? (Prescriptive or options?) |
| WDM is a ‘decision support tool’, not a decision maker. The program helps the user by manipulating the massive amount of data that has to be taken into account as a decision is being made. A range of ‘options’ is produced by the program, and it is then up to the user to select their preference based on local knowledge etc. |
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| Does WDM take account of strob resistance in Septoria? |
| Yes the system contains the most up to date information on fungicide performance, including the reduced control which can now be expected from strobilurins against septoria. As a result, control of that disease now depends primariliy on triazoles and chlorothalonil. |
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