NDSU Uses IoT to Advance Farm Research

By Scout Nelson

North Dakota State University (NDSU) is expanding the use of Internet of Things (IoT) technology to support agricultural research and help producers make better decisions. The technology allows researchers to collect information from fields, livestock areas, and other research locations without needing to gather every measurement by hand.

The Food, Energy and Water Security (FEWS) research initiative is using these tools to improve agricultural technology across North Dakota.

"FEWS is about giving North Dakota producers science-based tools to better manage their resources," said Frank Casey, associate director of the North Dakota Agricultural Experiment Station and principal investigator for NDSU's FEWS project. "As a soil physicist, I spent years collecting field data by hand. Now our scientists can see soil and weather conditions in real time, across many sites, at a fraction of the cost. That expands the kinds of problems they can solve. Partnerships with ARS, Grand Farm and DCN make it possible to scale this across the state."

IoT is a system of connected physical devices that use sensors and software to collect and exchange information. In agriculture, these tools can monitor soil, crops, weather, equipment, and livestock.

NDSU is using LoRaWAN, or Long-Range Wide Area Network, to connect sensors across large areas. The wireless system uses little power and can allow small battery-powered devices to operate for years. Sensors send information to central gateways, making the technology useful for large farms and research sites.

The IoT system is being introduced at NDSU Research Extension Centers across the state. Two telecommunications poles on the NDSU campus also provide coverage for research plots and livestock facilities.

NDSU is working with Grand Farm and Dakota Carrier Network (DCN) to expand the system. DCN uses its broadband network and other technology to support precision agriculture research. Its infrastructure includes fiber, private 5G and IoT systems that allow data from sensors and field equipment to move quickly and securely.

At the Hettinger Research Extension Center, research agronomist John Rickertsen uses sensors to measure temperature, humidity, leaf moisture and soil wetness. The information helps researchers study conditions that can lead to fusarium head blight in spring and durum wheat.

High humidity and rainfall can support spore production on wheat heads. Real-time information from sensors can help researchers connect weather conditions with disease infection and improve prediction models for the region.

Rickertsen also sees opportunities to add more sensor stations throughout research plots. The LoRaWAN network allows multiple sensors to send information without requiring each device to use cellular service or WiFi.

NDSU assistant professor of conservation agronomy Lindsay Malone also uses IoT technology in research. Her work focuses on reducing tillage to improve agricultural sustainability.

One challenge with no-till soybean planting is the amount of corn residue left in fields. Cool spring conditions can slow decomposition, leaving large amounts of residue that can make planting more difficult.

Malone’s team works with Grand Farm to study different levels of corn residue. Terros 11 sensors measure soil moisture and temperature, while a data logger sends the information through the LoRaWAN network.

The researchers can view sensor information remotely and in near real time. The study is repeated at another location in 2026, with plans to explore more IoT tools.

The Carrington Research Extension Center is also using IoT technology in several research areas. Soil moisture sensors help researchers improve irrigation decisions by showing when crops need additional water.

The center is also using sensors to collect more detailed weather information. Field-specific measurements can add to data from the North Dakota Agricultural Weather Network and help researchers understand differences in weather conditions across locations.

Other planned uses include water-level and temperature sensors in cattle pens. These tools can help monitor water conditions during winter and determine whether livestock water systems are at risk of freezing.

Researchers are also interested in testing sensors that measure tree-stem growth and photosynthetically active radiation.

IoT technology provides several advantages for agricultural research. Data can be sent continuously, reducing concerns about storage limits on individual devices. Researchers can also check information remotely without needing to visit each sensors location.

Photo Credit: north-dakota-state-university