A1. This is usually due to misspelling or changing the case of the word you originally used to set up the account. The password is case sensitive. Try changing how you type the word to see if that is the problem. If you still have problems, the login page has a link for sending you the correct login information to you by email to the address you gave when you registered.

A2. First, have you enabled Javascript? If yes, then the most likely problem is that you are using Internet Explorer 7. In a recent update to IE7 an option was turned on which interferes with how the web program runs. To fix this problem, go to Internet Options>Advanced and turn off “Native XMLHTTP”. (You may need to restart IE7 for this change to take effect.)
Second possibility: When you set up your account the first time you were asked to choose a weather station nearest to your orchard location. If when you originally registered you failed to select a station or if you were using IE7 before turning off "native XMLHTTP" or Javascript was disabled your settings may not have saved. If you didn't set up a station or the settings weren't saved, no models can be generated. Go to "Edit user profiles" to set up your station(s) and click on "update". Stations can be edited later if you want to add, change, or delete a site. If you have problems with editing your profile try going through the profile setup tutorial.

A3. Go to the “Edit user profiles” page, click on the station you wish to delete, and then on the editing page choose “delete station xxx from this profile.”

A4. Most likely you are using Internet Explorer 7. In a recent update to IE7 an option was turned on which interferes with how the web program runs. To fix this problem, go to Internet Options>Advanced and turn off “Native XMLHTTP”. (You may need to restart IE7 for this change to take effect.)

A5. Its possible that the NOAA weather server is down. We should have an alert about this on the login page if this is the case. If no alert was present when you logged in, check to see if Javascript is enabled and that Native XMLHTTP is turned off if using IE7.

If you still have a problem setting "green tip" please email us.

A6. Its possible that the NOAA weather server is down. We should have an alert about this on the login page if this is the case. If no alert is present, check to see if Javascript is enabled and that Native XMLHTTP is turned off if using IE7.

A7.The pesticide recommendations that are used in DAS are specific to the state of Washington. If you have a site that is located outside of the state of Washington, these pesticide recommendations are not available to you. You need to check with your state's department of agriculture or other pesticide regulatory agency to find out what you can legally apply in your area.

A8. Biofix is an easy to observe event (example: first moth capture) that was previously used to synchronize the model and field populations. None of the current models on DAS require you to set a biofix unless you are outside the state of Washington or west of the Cascades. Note: At this time the DAS models have only been validated within Washington, east of the Cascades; see comments below.

The codling moth model is the model most people think of when they think of biofix. We had 32 orchard years worth of data taken at the WSU research centers in Wenatchee and Columbia View and compared this to 81 orchard-years worth of data from consultants from throughout the state. We found that if we compensated for the roughly weekly trap checking intervals used by consultants, that biofix occurred on average at 173 DD (°F) from 1 January for both data sets. We then compared model predictions to observed adult flight and egg hatch and found that there were no benefits in terms of accuracy using a biofix. Our codling moth model therefore sets a biofix at 173 DD from 1 January - this means that we reset the DD accumulations to 0 on the day that 173 DD has been surpassed. This was done to keep the DD figures used previously to trigger treatments at the same numbers (for example, first cover spray is still recommended at 250 DD from biofix).

The codling moth model used in Washington is probably fine in areas more northerly than Washington State, but definitely should not be used in more southern areas. We are collecting biofix timing information throughout North America and preliminary results show that the timing of first moth is related to latitude and altitude of the particular site, but that it levels off at 46°N latitude at 173 DD. After further work, we will build the corrections into DAS to account for first moth in areas outside the state.

If you still have questions about biofix please email us.

A9. Again, this is most likely an IE7 issue if you are experiencing this problem after you enabled Javascript. To fix the IE7 issue, turn off the “Native XMLHTTP” option under the Advanced tab in Internet Options. This should fix the problem. (You may need to restart IE7 for this change to take effect.) After doing this, try resetting the biofix. If you still have a problem please email us.

A10. The time a cold-blooded organism (insects, mites, bacteria, fungi, plants) takes to develop through each stage in its life cycle takes a set amount of time that depends on the temperature that they are exposed to in the environment. However, each organism has a different lower temperature limit where no development occurs and a higher temperature limit where development slows. These are called temperature thresholds. The organisms developmental rate can be predicted by knowing how long it was held at any temperature between thresholds. A degree-day (DD) is the amount of heat that accumulates when the temperature is 1° above the lower threshold for development for a period of one day. Degree-days are the basis of the DAS models.
For a more indepth explanation of degree-days and how DAS uses DDs to calculate the different models refer to this short article: Degree-days & DAS.

A11. DAS uses the weather data generated by AgWeatherNet. All stations are standardized and fully calibrated and maintained. The 10-day predicted models are generated from data obtained from the NOAA National Weather Service site, one of the most reliable weather data sources available. For a comparison of various weather data services visit www.forcastadvisor.com or read the article at www.omninerd.com .

A12. Last year only "Beta" users (testers) were able to use their own weather data. This year this option is open to all users that accept the terms of the user-own weather data policy. However, to use you own data and have the models generated, you must have data starting from the beginning of the year. Without this information DAS will not be able to calculate the degree-days required by all insect models and some of the disease models.

A13. Before being able to select the option to define a user station, you will get a popup window with a policy to read and accept before proceeding. There are many different types of weather equipment on the market with varying degrees of reliability. Combine that with differing ways the equipment is set up and calibrated, we accept no liability for the quality of your weather data.  If your temperature sensor lacks radiation shielding, is improperly located near structures, pavement, sprinklers, or other such places, your temperature readings will be off making the models generate inaccurate results. Because our models typically use temperature accumulations over time, the errors accumulate over time resulting in large differences that can throw all the management timings and predictions off. Your weather equipment and its accuracy is solely your responsibility. We recommend that you review the instructions that came with your equipment on placement and calibration before opting to use your own weather data to help insure the best possible results.

Before setting up your own station, make sure that you have weather data starting from January 1. DAS requires this data to calculate the degree-days used in all the insect models and some of the disease models.

A14. DAS can be set up to use your own weather data by going to "Edit User Profile". Once in the edit screen, select "add a station to profile". Instead of selecting from the list at the top of the page, click on the "Define" button part way down the page. As mentioned in Q13 above, you will get a popup window requiring you to read and accept the policy terms before proceeding. If you fail to accept, you will not be able to proceed. If you do accept, you will be given a dialog box that allows you to define your station. We also need you to give us the GPS coordinates for your station so we can get the 10 day forecast weather data from NOAA used in the program. The coordinates you enter must be accurate to the nearest 1 minute or 0.03 degree-decimal, depending on which way you are entering the values. If you are unsure about your coordinates you can look them up using Google Earth or borrow a friend’s GPS unit. When naming your site select a name you can easily remember and associate with that particular location, especially if you set up more than one site. Also, only use alphanumeric characters (letters or numbers) in the name; do NOT use special characters.

Once the station is defined, DAS goes to the "Edit station" screen allowing you to select which crops and models you wish to associate with this new station. When you have made you choices, click the "Add station" button. You will now be returned to the full edit profile screen. Here you will see the name of your new station in the list of stations. You will also now see "Enter User-defined Station Data" near the top of the gray navigation column to the left. Click on that link each time you need to add weather data to your station.

When you click on the "Enter User-defined Station Data" you will get a window allowing you to enter your data. You have the option of manually typing in your data or pasting in the data from a text file or spreadsheet. This window allows you to select the way the data are entered, including the ways the data are separated and what the different columns of data represent.

First, you must tell DAS how your data columns are separated, by tabs or by commas. If you type in the data, you will need to separate the data columns using a comma. Make sure the "commas" button is selected before you start entering the data. If you try to use the tab key you will be kicked out of the data entry box. The easiest and safest way to enter your data is by copying it from a file and pasting it into the data window.

If you have an automated weather station that you are downloading your data from, we recommend that you import the data from your weather station into a spreadsheet program. From your spreadsheet (e.g., Microsoft Excel) when the data are copied, tabs automatically separate the columns. In this case, make sure you select the "tabs" button before you paste the data into the window. However, if you are pasting the data in from a text file, you must check to see if the columns are separated by commas or tabs and select the correct button before pasting the data.

The next step is to tell DAS what data are in each column. You must select the correct column headers from the drop-down lists above the data entry window. If these are incorrect, the program will not generate the correct output. Please note that the date format is mm/dd/yy and temperature is in derees Fahrenheit.

Now you can enter the data into the data window. Once all the data is entered, click on the "add data" button below the data entry window. A new window will open allowing you to review your data entry. If there is an error, click on “return” and make any necessary corrections. If the data look correct, click on “update”.

While DAS updates the information for your station, another window opens which will give you the option to add more data. If you are done, you may now click on your site’s name from the list under “View by Sites” to see the model output for this new station.

From this point on you should see "Enter User-defined Station Data" on the gray navigation column on the left side of the page. So each time you login to DAS just click on that to update your site data.

Download these instructions    User-defined Site Tutorial

A15. When you set up your site you probably used a special character like an asterisk or pound sign. DAS has problems figuring out what to do with these characters. Unfortunately, the only solution for you is to redefine a new site using a proper name (only letters and numbers). When you're done, email us and give us your username and the name of the bad site to be deleted. DAS is being reconfigured to stop you from making this mistake in the future. We apologize for the inconvenience. email: wsudas@wsu.edu