Integration of GIS Software, GPS Integration of GIS Software, GPS Hardware, and Site Specific Data Hardware, and Site Specific Data Management on Today’s FarmsManagement on Today’s Farms

Clint RatkeClint Ratke

Soil 4213Soil 4213

April 16, 2004April 16, 2004

OverviewOverview

• Importance of using GIS Software, GPS Hardware, and Site Specific Data Management for farm management

• Past and Present / Future

• Levels of crop management

• Implementation of all three

• Conclusion

Importance of using GIS Software, GPS Importance of using GIS Software, GPS Hardware, and Site Specific Data Hardware, and Site Specific Data

Management for farm managementManagement for farm management

• Create a detailed picture of a farm operation

• More accurately apply fertilizers and pesticides

• Improve productivity and efficiency

• Decrease liability

Variable Rate Fertility

Recommendation

Satellite and Aerial Imagery

Soil Type Data

Consistent Field Boundaries

Soil Test Points

Yield Monitor Data

Detailed Picture of a Farm Detailed Picture of a Farm OperationOperation

Accurate Application of Accurate Application of Nutrients by Usage of ImageryNutrients by Usage of Imagery

By using aerial and satellite imagery to determine nutrient deficiencies, you are able to apply the correct amount of nutrients to the appropriate area as determined in the imagery.

Productivity and Efficiency Productivity and Efficiency AnalysisAnalysis

By recording such information as: • Planting Info• Harvest Info• Tillage Info• Scouting• Manure Applications• Fertilizer Applications • Pesticide Applications• Pest Infestation Areas

Farmers are able to analyze recorded data and therefore improve productivity and efficiency.

Decreasing LiabilityDecreasing Liability

• By keeping accurate records of farming operations, analyzing the recorded data, and making sound management decisions, farmers will be able to decrease liability in their operations.

Early AgricultureEarly Agriculture

• PAST-Mechanical Revolution• As agriculture became mechanized,

farmers began to treat “whole-fields” as the smallest management unit

• -Ignores in-field variability• -Results in over and under

application in certain parts of the field

Technological RevolutionTechnological Revolution• PRESENT/FUTURE• -Precision Farming addresses the fact that

small areas of the field are treated as individual management units/areas

Variable Rate Seeding & Starter Fertilizer Apps

Variable Rate Lime and Fertilizer

On-the-Go Variable Rate Fertilizer Application

Crop Management LevelsCrop Management Levels

What level (resolution) of crop mgmt is feasible?

By Plant?

By Field?

By Mgmt Zone?

By Small Areas?

Implementation of All ThreeImplementation of All Three

Acquire an accurate field boundary!

Drive around the perimeter of the field with a good DGPS unit

Draw (Digitize) the perimeter of the field using a GEOREFERENCED AERIAL PHOTO

(1 meter resolution or less) with an appropriate GIS Software application.

OR

Yield Monitor DataYield Monitor Data

Yield Monitor

Measure flow of grain while recording Latitude and Longitude.

Soil SamplingSoil Sampling

64 Soil Samples

Plot the points of soil samples while in the field, using a GPS receiver.

Software ApplicationSoftware ApplicationSoftware is used as a “glue” for all of the information collected and hardware used. Allowing the different hardware and data to interact with each other.

ConclusionsConclusions

By implementing GIS Software, GPS Hardware, and Site Specific Management, farmers are able to: minimize variability and financial losses, increase profits and productivity, all while keeping accurate and detailed records of farm operations and procedures.

Information in the presentation may have in part come from presentations at SST Development group.

ReferencesReferences

Curt Woolfolk-MS Plant/Soil Science

SST Development Group-www.sstsoftware.com