Cropware: Version Information

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Cropware Version 2 Installation Instructions

What is new in Cropware version 2.0.34 (released January 31, 2005)

Updates in Cropware Version 2.0.34 (Relative to Version 2.0.33):

• The artificial drainage setting on the Fields-Field Data screen has been repaired to remain as defined rather than default back to "None". Check that the artificial drainage settings are defined properly, once 2.0.34 is installed.
• The Hydrologic Sensitivity Description on the Fields - Manure Use screen has been limited to 75 characters + spaces per application to avoid problems with report generation and printing. The user will be prompted with a message if the description exceeds 75 characters + spaces. If current Hydrologic Sensitivity Description created with a previous version of Cropware exceeds 75 characters + spaces, it will be pared back to the limit once you try to edit the text (i.e. strike a key) in the Hydrologic Sensitivity Description cell for the first time. To preserve text beyond the limit, upon clicking in the cell for the first time after installing 2.0.34, you may select the text, copy it (ctrl-C) and paste it into a word processing program (ctrl-V).
• The Work Order has been updated to address an error in printing information for secondary manure applications.
• An error when creating a new manure source and deleting a default manure analysis has been repaired. The error caused Cropware to close.
• Only Cropware version 1 filenames with the .cpw extension can be selected in the process for converting version 1 plan files to the version 2 file format.
• An error with the deletion of manure analyses in plan years other than the year they were created in has been repaired. The error caused Cropware to close.
• In plans covering multiple animal species, an error on the Manure - Manure Source Data screen has been repaired. Previously the animal species definition for a manure source created in a new plan year could revert to the last species chosen in the first plan year. This no longer happens. Confirm that the animal species is correct for all manure sources.
• Creating new manure sources and analyses on the Manure - Manure Source Data and Manure - Manure Analysis screens will now place the manure information in the current plan year and any future plan years, but not in previous plan years. Likewise, manure source and analysis data may be deleted from the current plan year and the deletion will carry through any future plan years.

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What is new in Cropware version 2.0.33 (released March 31, 2004)

Updates in Cropware Version 2.0.33 (Relative to Version 2.0.32):

• The formatting of the "Fertilizer and Manure Management" report has been improved.
• The user will be able to add past manure applications on the Fields - Past Manure Use screen on fields that are newly created in the current plan year.
• Two decimal places have been added to B, Fe, Mg, Mn, Zn, and S entry cells on the Fertilizers screen.
• Users are now able to delete all fertilizers on the Fertilizers screen and then add new materials without error.
• The "Amount Added to System Annually" cell on the Manure - Manure Source Data screen can now accept adequately large volumes of manure entered through the "Estimate Using Farm Records" method.
• The duplicate townships in the Westchester, Wyoming, and Yates county databases have been removed.
• An obscure data loss error in the Estimate Using Animal Parameters calculator of the Manure - Manure Source Data screen has been corrected.
• The "Field Access" information will now correctly display on the Allocation screen.
• Calculation of the "Total (Gross) Nitrogen Requirement" on the Nutrient Balance report has been improved to completely exclude sod N credits.
• Data entry problems on the Fields screens where units (e.g. lbs/acre) could be inadvertently selected and modified in cells that display units has been corrected.
• The improper display of the previous 3 crops, the current crop, and the next 3 crops on the upper half of Fields - Crop Data screen has been corrected.
• Saving an "Output File" from the Tools drop-down menu has been improved, allowing the user to overwrite a previously created Output File if desired.
• The warning before deleting a plan year has been improved.

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What is new in Cropware version 2.0.32 (released October 20, 2003)

Cornell Cropware version 2 is a revision and expansion of Cropware version 1, providing research updates and enhanced usability.

• Explanations of New Features in Cropware v 2.0.32.

Important Installation Instructions:

• Back up all farm data files created with Cropware version 1; archiving files regularly is an important standard practice regardless of version or software.
• Uninstall Cropware version 1 by clicking on the Windows "Start" button, "Programs", "Cropware", and choose "Uninstall Cropware". Version 1 and version 2 can not be on the same computer at the same time.
  • NOTE: if currently using Cropware version 2.0.30 or 2.0.31, click on the Windows "Start" button, "Programs", "Cornell University", "Cropware" and choose "Uninstall Cropware".
• If you are installing Cropware from the CD, choose "Software on this CD" from the self-start menu, then "Install Cornell Cropware", and follow the directions. If you downloaded Cropware from the Nutrient Management Spear Program web site (http://nmsp.cals.cornell.edu), then unzip the file and double click on the Cropware setup file to install.
• Once installed, head to the Windows "Start" button and "Programs" to open Cropware. Once in "Programs", Cropware is within the "Cornell University" folder.

Version 2 File Format Conversion Reminder:

• To use Cropware version 2, you will need to convert your Cropware version 1 files (i.e., .cpw files) to the version 2 format (i.e., .mdb files) through the following steps:
  • Within Cropware version 2, click the Tools dropdown menu.
  • From the dropdown menu choose "Convert version 1.0 Plan Files to Current Version". You will see a message allowing you to save the current file.
  • Choose the version 1 file to convert. If preferred, the new file name can be the same file name as the old file because Cropware will append the file extension ".mbd" to the new version 2 file. You can now begin using the converted plan file.
  • Notes: A) the original Cropware version 1 files (.cpw file) themselves will not be altered on your computer, B) version 2 files cannot be converted back to the version 1 file format, C) version 2 files will be larger in size than the version 1 files, and D) it is not necessary to have Microsoft Access installed on your computer to run Cropware version 2.

Updates in Cropware Version 2.0.32 (Relative to Version 2.0.31):

• Equations for converting soil tests from A&L Canada Laboratories, Inc. to Cornell Morgan equivalent values have been added. The laboratory and extraction method can be selected on the Fields - Soil Test tab.
• A problem with the use of Custom Report template files (*.SET files) has been resolved.
• The "Error 9: subscript out of range" resulting in some cases from moving between the navigation tree and the Fields screen has been resolved.
  

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What is new in Cropware version 2.0.31 (released September 10, 2003)

Cornell Cropware version 2 is a revision and expansion of Cropware version 1, providing research updates and enhanced usability.

• Explanations of New Features in Cropware v 2.0.31.

Important Installation Instructions:

• Back up all farm data files created with Cropware version 1; archiving files regularly is an important standard practice regardless of version or software.
• Uninstall Cropware version 1 (or version 2.0.30) by clicking on the Windows "Start" button, "Programs", "Cropware", and choose "Uninstall Cropware". Version 1 and version 2 can not be on the same computer at the same time.
  • NOTE: if currently using Cropware version 2.0.30, click on the Windows "Start" button, "Programs", "Cornell University", "Cropware" and choose "Uninstall Cropware".
• If you are installing Cropware from the CD, choose "Software on this CD" from the self-start menu, then "Install Cornell Cropware", and follow the directions. If you downloaded Cropware from the Nutrient Management Spear Program web site (http://nmsp.cals.cornell.edu), then unzip the file and double click on the Cropware setup file to install.
• Once installed, head to the Windows "Start" button and "Programs" to open Cropware. Once in "Programs", Cropware is within the "Cornell University" folder.

Version 2 File Format Conversion Reminder:

• To use Cropware version 2, you will need to convert your Cropware version 1 files (i.e., .cpw files) to the version 2 format (i.e., .mdb files) through the following steps:
  • Within Cropware version 2, click the Tools dropdown menu.
  • From the dropdown menu choose "Convert version 1.0 Plan Files to Current Version". You will see a message allowing you to save the current file.
  • Choose the version 1 file to convert. If preferred, the new file name can be the same file name as the old file because Cropware will append the file extension ".mbd" to the new version 2 file. You can now begin using the converted plan file.
  • Notes: A) the original Cropware version 1 files (.cpw file) themselves will not be altered on your computer, B) version 2 files cannot be converted back to the version 1 file format, C) version 2 files will be larger in size than the version 1 files, and D) it is not necessary to have Microsoft Access installed on your computer to run Cropware version 2.

Updates in Cropware Version 2.0.31 (Relative to Version 2.0.30):

• Milking center waste volumes on the "Calculate Milking Center Waste Water" screen now properly carry over to the "Milking Center Waste and Other Waste Added" cell within the "Estimate Using Animal Parameters" option on the Manure-Manure Source Data tab.
• All Custom Report Settings files (i.e. ".SET" files) developed with Cropware version 1 are now compatible with Cropware v2.0.31.
• The "Error 9: subscript out of range" resulting in some cases from moving quickly between tabs or clicking rapidly on fields on the tree or creating a new plan year or converting a version 1 plan to the version 2 file format have been resolved.
• In some cases, fields were being re-ordered upon closing and re-opening a farm plan in Cropware 2.0.30. This issue has been repaired and fields now remain in the user defined order.
• The "Plan Year" header and footer options within the Settings-General screen of the Reports tab now properly print the current plan year on reports.
• The "Output File Database File" within the "Tools" drop-down menu will be created with fields in the user defined order.
  

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What is new in Cropware version 2.0.30 (released July 15, 2003)

Cornell Cropware version 2 is a revision and expansion of Cropware version 1, providing research updates and enhanced usability.

• Explanations of New Features in Cropware v 2.0.30.

Important Installation Instructions:

• Back up all farm data files created with Cropware version 1; archiving files regularly is an important standard practice regardless of version or software.
• Uninstall Cropware version 1 by clicking on the Windows "Start" button, "Programs", "Cropware", and choose "Uninstall Cropware". Version 1 and version 2 can not be on the same computer at the same time.
• If you are installing Cropware from the CD, choose "Software on this CD" from the self-start menu, then "Install Cornell Cropware", and follow the directions. If you downloaded Cropware from the Nutrient Management Spear Program web site, unzip the file and double click on the Cropware setup file to install.
  • In some cases, the following message may be displayed during installation, "Error 1191 could not register type library for file C:\windows\system32\dao350.dll. Contact your support personnel." Click "Ignore" and the installation and operation will proceed properly.
• Once installed, head to the Windows "Start" button and "Programs" to open Cropware. Once in "Programs", Cropware is within the "Cornell University" folder.

New Features in Cropware version 2:

• Plan data are saved to a Microsoft Access® compatible database format (.mdb).
• Township-level precipitation is used for the Nitrate Leaching Index.
• Default manure composition and production values have been updated according to Manure Characteristics MWPS-18, Midwest Plan Service, 2001.
• Nutrient guidelines are included for 45 vegetable crops.
• Fields can be re-ordered on the Fields screen.
• Soil test conversion equations have been added for A&L Canada Laboratories, Inc. and
  the University of Vermont.
• Al, Ca, Mg, Fe, Mn, Zn and Organic Matter were added to the Fields screen.
• Two manure applications can be characterized per field per year.
• The P Index is calculated using up to two distinct manure application events per year.
• Fertilizer materials and rates can be selected on the Allocation screen.
• Lime rates may be selected on the Allocation screen.
• Data columns and order can be specified on the Allocation screen.
• Data can be exported (as .csv files) from the Allocation and Calendar screens.
• All manure sources can be viewed on a single Calendar screen.
• "Manure Added" values can be adjusted on a monthly basis on the Calendar screen.
• Manure application timings for the P Index can be updated from the Calendar screen.
• More plan data can be queried with the Custom Report tool.
• Report formatting has been refined.
• The Crop Plan Summary Report has been added for basic crop rotation analysis.
• The Fertilizer Shopping List Report includes fertilizer costs per material and per farm.
• The Cropware Help section has been updated.

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What was new in Cropware version 1.0.17 (release January 15, 2003)

NOTE: The following changes represent updates to Cropware v1.0. Cropware v2.0 is undergoing testing and will be released in late winter/early spring. Cropware v2.0 will include major enhancements, including applications of multiple sources of manure, user-defined manure production by month, vegetable crop nutrient guidelines, data saving to a database, crop rotation reporting, and more.
AS A REMINDER: Please uninstall previous versions of Cropware on your computer before installing an updated version. This will not change or delete any of your farm plan files (i.e. the ".cpw" files). As always, though, back-up all of your important computer files regularly.

• Based on continued research, the following updates have been made to the soil test conversion equations:
  • The conversion equation for Mehlich III soil test P values from A&L is:
    • CNAL P (lbs/a) = 2*(22.76053307 + (0.72054769*Soil_P) Đ (0.00125439 * Soil_CA) Đ(21.02363775 * Soil_PH) + (0.04872435 * Soil_AL) Đ(0.00001866 * (Soil_AL)^2) + (2.00172429 * Soil_PH)^2) + (0.00003372 * Soil _P * Soil_CA) Đ (0.00110413* Soil_P* Soil_AL) + (0.00000042 *Soil_P * (Soil_AL)^2))
  • The conversion equation for Mehlich III soil test P values from Spectrum is:
    • CNAL P (lbs/a) = -49.2971 + (0.785 * SOIL_P) - (0.002174 * SOIL_CA) - (11.8281 * Soil_pH) + (0.135 * Soil_Al) - (0.00006742 * (Soil_Al) ^ 2) + (1.5452 * (Soil_pH) ^ 2) + (0.00004146 * SOIL_P * SOIL_CA) (0.001353 * SOIL_P * Soil_Al) + (0.00000057 * SOIL_P * (Soil_Al) ^ 2)
  • The conversion equation for Morgan soil test P values from Spectrum is:
    • If Spectrum Morgan P <= 52, then
      CNAL P (lbs/a) = (2.35*Soil_P/2)-8
      Else CNAL P (lbs/a) = (3*Soil_P/2)-42
  • The conversion equation for Mehlich III soil test K values from A&L is:
    
    • CNAL K (lbs/a) = 2*((0.8862*Soil_K)-7.5614)
  • The conversion equation for Mehlich III soil test K values from Brookside is:
    
    • CNAL K (lbs/a) = (1.08*(Soil_K*2))-47
  • The conversion equation for Mehlich III soil test K values from Spectrum is:
    
    • CNAL K (lbs/a) = (0.92*Soil_K)-10
  • The conversion equation for Morgan soil test K values from Spectrum is:
    
    • CNAL K (lbs/a) = (2.67*(Soil_K/2))-29
• The unit labels for Spectrum Mehlich III soil test results on the FieldsÑField Data screen have been updated to reflect their latest reporting format: P, K, and Ca in lbs/acre and Al in ppm. Similarly, unit labels for the Spectrum Morgan test results have been updated as follows:
  P and K in lbs/acre. Unit labels for all other labs continue to be current as in v1.0.16, so will remain the same in v1.0.17.
• In Cropware (and the P Index), the soil drainage classification (i.e. E = excessively, W = well, M = moderately well, S = somewhat poorly, P = poorly, or V = very poorly) is a variable used in determining the Dissolved P Index rating for a field. When a user selects a soil on the FieldsÑFields Data screen, a default drainage class populates the "Soil Drainage Class" on the FieldsÑPhosphorus Index Factors screen. With the help of NYS NRCS, the list of Default Soil Drainage Classes in Cropware has been simplified such that the soils which exhibit a range of drainage (e.g. moderately-well to well drained, implying a span from moderately-well to well) are now defined by a single drainage class (i.e. E, W, M, S, P, or V). For example, if Langford, a moderately-well to well drained soil (MW), is chosen in Cropware, "well drained" (W) will be the default value. The user can choose another drainage class for the soil depending on the site-specific conditions of the field on the FieldsÑPhosphorus Index Factors screen. Previously, all soils that were characterized by a range of soil drainage were defaulted to moderately well drained (M). In addition, all soils with a Borosaprist (B, organic or "muck" soils) designation were classified within a default drainage class of very poorly drained (V), rather than M. The new default drainage classes for all soils classified by a range of drainage or with a B designation are listed in the linked PDF table, New Default Soil Drainage Classifications.

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What was new in Cropware version 1.0.16 (>release March 8, 2001)

• New Features in Cropware version 1.0.16.
• Note: It is important that you update to Cropware version 1.0.16 if you use Spectrum or A&L for your soil test analysis.

• The Spectrum and A&L phosphorus soil test conversion to Cornell Morgan extraction equivalents were updated.
  
  • Spectrum Mehlich III was corrected. The version 1.0.15 equation had an error in the units. The equation expected the units to be lbs per acre and the program asked for ppm. The equation has been updated to use ppm. Enter all Spectrum soil test values in ppm.
  • A Spectrum Morgan analysis was added to Cropware. The algorithm to convert from Spectrum Morgan phosphorus to Cornell Morgan extraction equivalent is:
    If Spectrum P <= 52 ppm then:
    CNAL P (lbs/a) = 2.35 * Spectrum P (ppm) - 8 r2=0.97
    else if Spectrum P > 52 ppm then:
    CNAL P (lbs/a) = 3.00 * Spectrum P (ppm) - 42 r2=0.62
    
  • A&L entry units for Modified Morgan extraction were changed to ppm to be consistent with how A&L is reporting soil analyses. Enter all A&L soil test values in ppm.
    
• Shopping list: the liquid fertilizer quantity used was calculating the cost (gallons/acre * acres * density). The equation was correct to (gallons/acre * acres).
  
• The taxonomic soil names were removed from the soils list.
  
• An error in which some manure use entries on the Fields screen were not being saved when the user selected a different tab on the Field screen was corrected.
  
• The County annual and season precipitation list was updated by Tibor Horvath, New York State NRCS Agronomist. The new precipitation values may change your Nitrogen Leaching Index values.
  
• The producer's name was added to the report cover page.
  
• Estimating the total manure using the "counting loads" method will now calculate the annual manure quantity using the spreader capacity to the nearest 1/10 of a ton instead of 1 ton.

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What was new in Cropware version 1.0.15 (release January 28, 2002)

• The Help is updated for changes to the conversion equations
• The values which caused taxonomic soil identifications in the "Soils" dropdown box to cause an error message has been fixed.

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What was new in Cropware version 1.0.13 (release November 27, 2001)

• K and P soil test conversion equations have been updated.
• A rounding error that made the number of loads in the Work order report slightly off has been corrected.
• The Help has been expanded to include the new K recommendation document. This document has also been put on the CD as a pdf file.
• The word "required" has been added to the Exchange Acidity label. And wording about the necessity of exchange acidity and directions to the table from Cornell Guidelines about how to determine lime requirements if you do not have exchange acidity has been added to the Help.

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What was new in Cropware version 1.0.12 (release September 21, 2001)

• Version 1.0.12 will allow multiple "Lab ID's" (Field Screen) to be selected for a single plan. For instance, several fields can have soil tests from "CNAL" and several fields can have soil tests from "Brookside" .
• Version 1.0.12 will allow entry of animal units on the Manure Screen and in the Estimate using Animal Parameters greater than 32,000. This was a problem in earlier versions for all species but especially for poultry producers.

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