Evaluated Surface Drainage Problems with Data Charles Ellis Kent Shannon Ag Engineering Extension Specialists

Yield Map Interpretation Man Made Variables –Variety –Planting date –Tillage –Compaction Natural Variability –Soil fertility –Soil type –Drainage

Data Sources Yield Data Aerial Photos EC Data Soils

Man Made Variables Varieties Tillage Planting Date Compaction Chemical Applications Fertilizer Applications

Man Made Variables Varieties Tillage Planting Date Compaction Chemical Applications Fertilizer Applications

Natural Variables Soils Drainage Soils

Man Made Variables Fertility Field History

Aerial Photos Man made variables –Compaction –Drainage Natural Variability Drainage

Aerial Photos

Image Obtain Aerial Photos Terraserver FSA Show history of field

Soil EC Readings

Surface Drainage

Surface Drainage Affects Tillage Planting Date Seeding Depth Emergence Leaching Harvesting

97 beans

99 Beans

2003 Beans

Multiple Years of Yield Data Combining Multiply Years Using MapCalc Excel

3 yr average bean yield

Combine Elevation

Elevation RTK

Combine and RTK Elevation

Yield and Topography Pond

Possible Solutions Drain Pond Remove Berm Around Pond Drain Field After Pond Removal Tillage to help drainage

2004 corn Yield variability has diminished. What are the causes?

Bu/A 1997 Corn Grain Yield - ASEQ Field 1; Centralia, MO

Ranking of Yield Variability and Ease of Remedy Adapted from Larry Lotz, “Yield Monitors and Maps: Making Decisions”, Ohio State Univ. Cause of Yield Variation Least likely Most likely Ease of Remedy Easy Difficult Mechanical/ Equipment Problems Nitrogen (corn) Traffic Problems Hybrid Variety Field Border Characteristics Organic matter Disease Planter color Seed Depth Tillage P & K Compaction Drainage Past history Weather Soil type Insects Weeds Plant date pH Population

Bu/A Topsoil variation Low soil P and K End-row compaction Soil pH Historically managed less intensively Treeline and endrow compaction Greater weed pressure Nearly flat, ponding 1997 Corn Grain Yield - ASEQ Field 1; Centralia, MO

RTK GPS Elevation Map 1997 Corn Yield Map

Multiple Years of Point Yield Maps 1998 Beans1999 Corn

Multiple Years of Point Yield Maps 2000 Beans2001 Corn

RTK GPS Elevation Map 1997 Corn Yield Map

Multiple Years of Interpolated Yield Maps 1998 Beans1999 Corn

Multiple Years of Interpolated Yield Maps 2000 Beans2001 Corn

Using MapCalc Software to Better Visualize Elevation Difference with Yield Data

Equipment Used for RTK GPS Data Collection Use a PocketPC computer running GPS data collection software

RTK Base Station

Possible Solution with a PTO-Ditchers