DSSAT Development Sprints

Since 2014, we have organized the biannual DSSAT Development Sprint for advancing the underlying science of the DSSAT crop models and improving the DSSAT tools and utilities. During these “hackathons” or “working” workshops, the participants work on sections of the code for improvement and add new algorithms and routines. There are also small break out sessions to discuss and exchange ideas on how to advance DSSAT in general and specifically the functionality and operation of tools, utilities, and crop modules. The DSSAT Development Sprints are normally held during the Winter and Summer and are open to those who have some skills in programming. There is no registration fee, but participants are expected to pay for their own travel and related expenses.

The most recent DSSAT Development Sprint was held from January 8-12, 2024 as a Hybrid meeting to allow for participation by those who are unable to travel to the US; the in-person meeting was hosted by the University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida. The next DSSAT Development Sprint is scheduled for July or August, 2024 at the International Fertilizer Development Center in Muscle Shoals, Alabama. Future DSSAT Development Sprints are scheduled for January 6-10, 2025 at the University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida and July, 2025 at a location still to be determined.

The DSSAT Development Sprint provides an opportunity for people with specific interests in model code or tools to work together and collaborate. Presentations are limited to brief progress reports and concepts, while most of the time is spent on writing and improving code, testing, and documenting changes.

If you are interested in participating in the next DSSAT Development Sprint, please contact Cheryl Porter or Gerrit Hoogenboom.

Previous DSSAT Development Sprints

  • 20th DSSAT Development Sprint held as a Hybrid Meeting at the University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida and via Zoom from January 8-12, 2024.
  • 19th DSSAT Development Sprint held as a Hybrid Meeting at the International Fertilizer Development Center in Muscle Shoals, Alabama and via Zoom from July 24-28, 2023.
  • 18th DSSAT Development Sprint held as a Hybrid Meeting at the University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida and via Zoom from January 17-20, 2023.
  • 17th DSSAT Development Sprint held as a Hybrid Meeting at the University of California Davis, California and via Zoom from July 25-29, 2022.
  • 16th DSSAT Development Sprint held as a Hybrid Meeting at the University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida and via Zoom from January 18-21, 2022.
  • 15th DSSAT Development Sprint held as a Hybrid Meeting at the International Fertilizer Development Center in Muscle Shoals, Alabama and via Zoom from July 26-30, 2021.
  • 14th DSSAT Development Sprint held as a Virtual Meeting from January 11-15, 2021 via Zoom.
  • 13th DSSAT Development Sprint held as a Virtual Meeting from July 20-24, 2020 via Zoom.
  • 12th DSSAT Development Sprint held at the University of Florida in Gainesville, Florida from January 6-10, 2020.
  • 11th DSSAT Development Sprint held at the International Fertilizer Development Center in Muscle Shoals, Alabama from July 15-19, 2019.
  • 10th DSSAT Development Sprint held at the University of Florida in Gainesville, Florida from January 7-11, 2019.
  • 9th DSSAT Development Sprint held at the Maricopa Agricultural Research Center (MAC), University of Arizona, Maricopa, Arizona from July 9-13, 2018.
  • 8th DSSAT Development Sprint held at the University of Florida in Gainesville, Florida from January 8-12, 2018.
  • 7th DSSAT Development Sprint held at the International Fertilizer Development Center in Muscle Shoals, Alabama from July 10-14, 2017.
  • 6th DSSAT Development Sprint held at Oklahoma State University in Stillwater, Oklahoma from January 9-13, 2017.
  • 5th DSSAT Development Sprint held at the University of Florida in Gainesville, Florida from July 17-2016.
  • 4th DSSAT Development Sprint held at the International Fertilizer Development Center in Muscle Shoals, Alabama from December 7-11, 2015.
  • 3rd DSSAT Development Sprint held at the Maricopa Agricultural Research Center (MAC), University of Arizona, Maricopa, Arizona from June 15-19, 2015.
  • 2nd DSSAT Development Sprint held at the International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI), Washington, District of Columbia from December 1-5, 2014.
  • 1st DSSAT Development Sprint held at the International Fertilizer Development Centers in Muscle Shoals, Alabama from March 24-28, 2014.