Precision Farming What’s influencing our ag system? 2011 Bobby Grisso Virginia Tech Biological Systems Engineering

Resources: Precision Farming - A Comprehensive Approach. Precision Farming Tools: GPS Navigation. Precision Farming Tools: Yield Monitor. Precision Farming Tools: Global Positioning System-GPS. Precision Farming Tools: Variable-Rate Application Precision Farming Tools: Soil Electrical Conductivity. Investing in GPS Guidance Systems? Interpreting Yield Maps - "I gotta yield map - now what?"

Ten Agricultural and Biological Engineering Achievements that Changed the World

10 Engineering Achievements 1.Development of the Agricultural Tractor 2.Rural Electrification 3.Self-Propelled Combine 4.Center Pivot for Irrigation 5.International Harvester Cotton Picker 6.Milking Machine 7.Conservation Tillage 8.ASABE Standardization Procedure 9.Rubber Tires on Tractors 10.Refrigerated On-Farm Milk Storage

The Influence of Precision Agriculture !

Precision Agriculture Precise information on agronomic factors. Precise selection and placement of crop inputs. Precise position and travel information.

GPS Systems

GPS Global Positioning System Characteristics Free Accurate Reliable Worldwide Unlimited user capacity 60’s TRANSIT – doppler system ’95 Fully Operational Condition (FOC)

SOME GPS APPLICATIONS  MILITARY  MARITIME  AUTOMOTIVE  SURVEYING  AVIATION  AGRICULTURE  FORESTRY  ENVIRONMENTAL  PUBLIC SAFETY  HIKING  HUNTING  NATURE STUDY  FISHING  BOATING  BIKING  SKIING  SNOWMOBILING  GEOCACHING  GOLF ! COMMERCE & GOVERNMENT RECREATIONAL

Space Segment 28 Rockwell satellites 7.5 yr life span –6 orbital 55 degree orbits –2 orbits everyday –Very high orbit (20,200 km) –Radius of Earth ~ 8000 mi (~12,900 )

How GPS works… Satellite signals are broadcast at the speed of light (186,000 miles per second) Distance to satellite =11,200 miles 300,000 km/s a 1/1,000,000 sec Error =>300 m pos. Error

Precision Agriculture: Systems Approach Right source Right rate Right time Right place

Section Control Systems

All Machinery must pay…

Precision Technology Use

Precision Ag Services Offered

Who’s Leading the Green Index?

Ag Journey

Innovation

Automated Guidance Implement Guidance Variable Rate Overlap Switching Data Transfer 12.0% 3.0% 7.3% 4.6% ? 12.0% Total Savings Value Proposition 15.0%22.3%26.9% >26.9% Engineers working on Automatic Guidance and Precision Agriculture have increased productivity by 27% in the last 14 years

GPS Options for Ag Autonomous m S/A DGPS.5 - 5m RTK Float 20cm RTK Fixed 1cm GPS m

DGPS Accuracy – Trimble Units

Sprayer Navigation

GPS Navigation Aids:

Reliable and more accurate Accuracy at higher speeds Easily used with spinner spreaders Easy to use – less skilled operator Effective over growing crops Allows operation when visibility is poor Less affected by weather Lower recurring costs Reduces operator fatigue and eye strain Lower set-up time Not effected by wind or boom bounce Reduces overlaps and skips Reduces need for people in sprayed areas

GPS Navigation Aids:

GPS Navigation Systems: Boomless Sprayers Spreaders

New VCE Publications Investing in GPS Guidance Systems? Precision Farming Tools: GPS Navigation Check with local county agent for details

Self-Steering RTK

Autonomous Vehicles:

Scouting Tools

Remote Controlled Aircraft Spraying and Video Scouting:

Aerial Photograph

Combines: Yield Monitors

Sensor for Turf Management

Soil Sampling Methods

Soil Sampling

Application Decisions?

Closed systems

Boom Height Control Operator Comfort Drift Control Proper Spray Tip Height For Better Chemical Distribution Protect Boom Ends

Air-assisted sprayers

Smart Sprayers Computer guided Vision systems on sprayers Real-time ID weeds, insects, diseases Determine where, what, and when to spray

Greenseeker – N rate control

Precision Agriculture: Systems Approach