Overview 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 Hardware, and Site Specific Data Management 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 Operation

Accurate Application of Nutrients 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 Analysis 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 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 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 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 Levels What level (resolution) of crop mgmt is feasible? By Plant? By Field? By Mgmt Zone? By Small Areas?

Implementation 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 Data Yield Monitor Measure flow of grain while recording Latitude and Longitude.

Soil Sampling 64 Soil Samples Plot the points of soil samples while in the field, using a GPS receiver.

Software Application Software 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.

Conclusions 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. References Curt Woolfolk-MS Plant/Soil Science SST Development Group-