GPS in Agriculture Ag Science II Mr. Dieckhoff How do Global Positioning Systems, or GPS, work?  GPS in Agriculture Ag Science II Mr. Dieckhoff

Why Use GPS in Agriculture Farm Management strategy Uses Global Positioning System and Geographic Information System Goal is to improve agricultural production and efficiency. Precision agriculture requires the use of a global positioning system, or GPS, to locate a position on the earth combined with the information about the single point to become more productive. The use of production, fertility, soil, and moisture data about specific locations on the earth can improve the efficiency and productivity for farmers.

GPS Video - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tEj__Vo1WxQ

Terminology GPS – Global Positioning System: Uses at least 3 satellites to determine exact location, velocity, and time 24 hours a day, in all weather conditions, anywhere in the world. GIS – Geospatial Information System Capture, store, manipulate, analyze, manage, and present spatial or geographic data. Precision Agriculture Observing, measuring and responding to field variability in crops Remote Sensing Scanning of the earth by satellite or high-flying aircraft in order to obtain information about it Variable Rate Technology Technology used to apply crop inputs in different amounts to different parts of a field UAV – Unmanned Aerial Vehicle Aircraft piloted by remote control or onboard computers

Lesson 1 – Satellite Positioning How do Global Positioning Systems, or GPS, work? 

Global Positioning System System of Satellites 24 satellites surrounding the earth Use triangulation to determine the location The GPS was originally a set of government satellites, originally developed and launched for military use. Today there are dozens of satellites in the sky above. Each satellite orbits the earth at a specific altitude and speed. The satellites send signals to be gathered by GPS receivers. The receivers then process information from multiple satellites to determine a precise location.   Receivers range in size. Many cell phones have GPS location capabilities. GPS is even used in hobbies such as geocaching. Receivers on industrial and farm equipment are larger for better precision, and communicate with sophisticated computers on board or remotely during operation. x

Lesson 2 – Using a GPS Coordinates How do Global Positioning Systems, or GPS, work? 

Determining Location with GPS Location is found by Latitude – distance north or south of the equator Equator-– circle around the earth an equal distance from north and south pole Longitude – distance east or west of the Prime Meridian Prime Meridian – line that runs north and south and divides the earth into an east and west half Receivers and satellites have atomic clocks that give a precise measurement of time. These times are used to calculate the distance between the satellite and the receiver. This is why satellites must maintain a constant distance from the earth.   At least three satellites are needed for the GPS receiver to triangulate the two-dimensional location in latitude and longitude. A fourth satellite reading determines the altitude.

How Minutes & Seconds Work - https://www. youtube. com/watch

GPS Coordinates of CCC Minutes & Seconds N 38 39’35” W 94 20’07” Each minute represents about 1 mile Each second represents 90 feet Decimal N 38.6599025 W 94.3340342

Virtual Vacation Pick your Top 3 Places on Earth you want to visit Write down there exact GPS Coordinates of those 3 places If there is a – sign in latitude = South If there is a – sign in longitude = West After you are finished, wait for all groups to finish Trade coordinates First person to get all 3 receives a prize

Lesson 3 – Soil Testing How do Global Positioning Systems, or GPS, work? 

Lesson 4 – Remote Sensing & GIS How do Global Positioning Systems, or GPS, work? 

WHAT IS IT? What is “REMOTE”? What is “SENSING”

Remote sensing Of the 5 senses… Only 1 works for Remote Sensing

REMOTE SENSING Analyzing pictures Overhead perspective Aerial photos, maps Include information not visible to the human eye Allow us to see: Patterns Isolated points Relationships Features Monitor changes over time Acquire information that is difficult to acquire by other means

Geographic Information System Integrates the multiple types of data about a specific point marked with a GPS unit Normally a computer application Can be used to improve productivity of a producer Geographic Information Systems, or GIS, are used to compare different data about a single point or points. A database typically organizes data which is georeferenced by latitude and longitude.   The web soil survey is one example application of GIS. For example, a farmer may make maps using yield, soil data, and soil nutrient test results in order to make decisions about crop nutrient needs the following season. There are many applications for GIS in everyday life. Some school districts even employ GIS to determine the most efficient bus routes.

HOW DOES THIS CORN LOOK?

SAME FIELD

SAME FIELD – HARVEST DATA

Gained a lot of interest lately REMOTE SENSING Wide variety of uses Gained a lot of interest lately Some good… Some not so good…

UAV Video https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v3YcZtlVrls&spfreload=10

Drones

Drones Didn’t happen Currently allowed: The FAA Reauthorization Act Gov’t agencies Police Research The FAA Reauthorization Act President Obama signed into law in Feb. 2012 Orders the FAA to develop regulations for the testing and licensing of commercial drones by 2015 Currently there are 6 test states that are testing various aspects of commercial drone operations

Drones Current regulations: Can not fly for commercial purposes a.k.a.: Can’t be paid to fly a field Follow Model Aircraft Safety Rules: Cannot fly over 400’ Pilot maintains line of sight to aircraft at all times Not within least 3 miles of an airport w/o notifying airport Aircraft cannot exceed 55 pounds at takeoff Avoid flying directly over unprotected people, vessels, vehicles or structures and shall avoid endangerment of life and property of others

Aerial image

Livestock uses

Issues Satellites UAVs Data collected Costly Frequency of images Resolution UAVs FAA regulations Data collected What does this actually mean?