Precision Agriculture in Europe Olga S. Walsh BIOEN/SOIL 4213 Spring 2007

The EU - established in 1957 The EU - established in 1957 Currently - 27 member states Currently - 27 member states Area = 4,3 mill km² (2.7 mill miles 2 ) Area = 4,3 mill km² (2.7 mill miles 2 ) Agric. land & forests account for 90% of total EU land Agric. land & forests account for 90% of total EU land Population = 493 million Population = 493 million 60% of population = Farming community 60% of population = Farming community Average farm size = 12 ha 2 (30 ac 2 ) Average farm size = 12 ha 2 (30 ac 2 ) Source: (2007) EU: “United in Diversity” F + C

J. Wilson “The land is extremely variable, which causes yields and therefore profits to differ considerably across a field. This was what first sparked my interest in precision farming." Source: "It is not the strongest that survive, nor the most intelligent, but the ones most responsive to change." Charles Darwin EU: increased awareness on pollution EU: increased awareness on pollution Fertilizer N use control Fertilizer N use control in Nitrate Vulnerable Zones Government on total N for cereals: Government on total N for cereals: 180 kg N ha -1 for wheat Before: ½ of N in Fall + 4 dozes mid season Now: very little preplant + all N mid season Have to be more N-efficient Variable-rate application

Goal: Goal: to provide the best possible advice, services and products to the arable farming community, delivering increases in precision, efficiency, and profitability. J. Wilson R. Ramsay R. Watson Services: Soil Sampling Yield & Data Analysis Yield Analysis Profit Mapping Field Trials Fertilizer Planning Variable N ApplicationProducts: Yield Monitors Global Positioning Systems (GPS) Variable Rate Controllers Software Source: A Step Further

Yara N Sensor (Germany) (Germany) Since 1998 Since 1998 Passive sensor: Passive sensor: Measures sunlight reflected by the crop (4 angles) Measures sunlight reflected by the crop (4 angles) Simultaneously measures the ambient light Simultaneously measures the ambient light Permanent correction for light conditions. Permanent correction for light conditions. Sensing area = 50m 2 Source: (2005)

Yara N Sensor (Germany) (Germany) Since 1998 Since 1998Algorithms: Winter & Spring Wheat Winter & Spring Barley Winter Oilseed Rape Potatoes Increased NUE Increased grain yield Increased grain quality Increased gross margin = 12% 5 Years (UK): Return on capital = 133% Cost = US $15, Yara sensors operate on farms in 20 countries Source: (2005)

Yara N Sensor System Source: (2005)

Calculates economic optimum N requirement Calculates economic optimum N requirement Accounts for: rainfall, soil type, previous cropping. Accounts for: rainfall, soil type, previous cropping. N Tester – equivalent of a chlorophyll meter Optimum N rate : N Tester or N Plan. YARA N sensor varies N rate Recommendation around the average optimum. N Plan - top dressing service Chlorophyll leaf content related to N status. Chlorophyll leaf content related to N status. 30 random readings across the field = average used to determine N requirements 30 random readings across the field = average used to determine N requirements Net Return = US $ 40-45/ha Net Return = US $ 40-45/ha Source: (2007)

ALSN-Sensor ALS N-Sensor Active Light Source Detect plant N status & Crop biomass On-the-go VRA Irrespective of light conditions Cost = US $20,000 Software for various crops Algorithms developed using long-term trial data Source: (2007)

INPUTS: Field name & date Soil type Previous management Rainfall Stocking rate OUTPUTS: N, P2O5, K2O reccomendations BeefSheepDairySilageForage Wheat Oilseed rape OatsPotatoes Sugar beet Peas & beans MUST KNOW SITE SPECIFIC INFORMATION + WILL OBTAIN MORE ACCURATE FERTILIZER RECOMMENDATION Source: (2007)

Variable Rate application: N fertilizer Stem stabilizers Fungicides Arrangement of a 3-point mounted device in front of a tractor Arrangement of a 3-point mounted device in front of a tractor Bending resistance of the cereal stems is highly related to the mass of the stems Bending resistance of the cereal stems is highly related to the mass of the stems (Germany) Since 2004 CROP METER Source: (2007)

Frame Pendulum body Potentiometer Surface sensor rod Inclination sensor Electronic box Mass = 40kg; Working width = 1 m Voltage = 12V; Energy consumption = 50W CROP METER Source: Ehlert and Dammer (2006) VIDEO

Increased NUE Increased yield = 3 % Reduced N fertilizer rate = 15% Fertilizer N savings = 10 kg N ha Reduced fungicide & growth regulator rates = 20-25% Average savings = US $15 – 40/ha CROP METER Source: Ehlert and Dammer (2006) Application rates are calculated based on: Application rates are calculated based on: Pendulum swing Farmer preset values Values transferred to computer on spreader Values transferred to computer on spreader Cost = US $ 7,000 Cost = US $ 7,000

Future of PA in Europe