1. Automatic Section Control (ASC) Technology Michael Buschermohle Precision Agriculture Specialist UT Extension Michael Buschermohle Precision Agriculture Specialist UT Extension

2. Sprayer Automatic Section Control Increasing Production Efficiency Reduced Chemical Costs Improved Environmental Stewardship

3. Sprayer Automatic Section Control Tank Boom Shut-off Valves Nozzles ON-OFF Control Signal to Boom Valves or Nozzle Solenoids PumpRegulatingValveFlowMeter 12 3 45 1 2 3 5 4 As Applied Map GNSS Receiver Controller + Software Software Closed Loop Control

4. Sprayer Automatic Section Control 5.7% 30 acres 6.8% 23 acres 10.8% 23 acres 6.7% 22 acres No Control versus Automatic 7 Section Control

5. Sprayer Automatic Section Control No Control versus Automatic 7 Section Control

6. Courtesy of Luck et al. (2010), University of Kentucky Manual 5 Section Control versus Automatic Section Control 6.2% average reduction Increasing Production Efficiency

7. Reduced chemical costsReduced chemical costs Increased spraying efficiencyIncreased spraying efficiency Less fill-upsLess fill-ups Reduced operator fatigueReduced operator fatigue Improves environmental stewardshipImproves environmental stewardship Preservation of conservation structuresPreservation of conservation structures Benefits

8. Operator Response Needed Overlap Minimum Double-Planted Area Headland Pass Skipped Area Over-Plant Area Planter Automatic Section Control Increasing Production Efficiency

9. Planter Automatic Section Control As Applied Map GNSS Receiver Controller + Software SoftwareControlModuleControlModuleControlModule

10. Types of Fields You Farm Field Size (ac) Double-Plant (ac) % Double-Plant Range1.9 - 1060.1 – 4.80.1 – 15.6 Average33.21.14.6 Total172554.7

11. Increasing Production Sustainability % DP Range< 2% Avg. % DP0.8% # Fields16 Field Size Range (ac)8.1 - 106 Avg. Field Size (ac)53.3 Total Acres853 105.5 ac 77.5 ac 69.3 ac 34.4 ac Slightly-Irregular Fields

12. Increasing Production Sustainability % DP Range2 % – 5% Avg. % DP3.2% # Fields21 Field Size Range (ac)6.6 – 58.8 Avg. Field Size (ac)25.9 Total Acres544 22.5 ac 23.8 30.3 16.3 Irregular Fields

13. Increasing Production Sustainability % DP Range> 5% Avg. % DP10.5% # Fields15 Field Size Range (ac)1.9 – 42.5 Avg. Field Size (ac)21.9 Total Acres328 15.9 ac 42.5 ac 20.5 ac 18.9 ac Highly-Irregular Fields

14. Planter Automatic Section Control Reduced seed costsReduced seed costs Potential yield gainsPotential yield gains Less risk of planting errorsLess risk of planting errors Reduced potential for lodgingReduced potential for lodging Reduced operator fatigueReduced operator fatigue Improved machine efficiencyImproved machine efficiency Benefits

15. GPS/GNSS ReceiverGPS/GNSS Receiver Automatic Section Control Components John Deere Ag Leader Trimble TOPCON

16. GPS Accuracy GPS Correction Services John Deere SF2John Deere SF2 OmniStar HPOmniStar HP RTK, Trimble’s RTXRTK, Trimble’s RTX

17. Trimble John Deere AgLeader Raven Dickey-john TOPCON Automatic Section Control Components Controller plusController plusSoftware KINZE

18. Automatic Section Control Components Row Command TruCount SureVac Section Control MechanismsSection Control Mechanisms  Planters

19. Automatic Section Control Components Section Control MechanismsSection Control Mechanisms  Sprayers Boom Valve Individual Nozzle

20. Increasing Production Sustainability economics.ag.utk.edu/asccc.html Google: University of Tennessee ASCCC

21. Will it Make You Money? Corn

22. Corn (15%-25%-60%)

23. Will it Make You Money? Corn (30%-40%-30%)

24. Will it Make You Money? Soybeans

25. Soybeans (15%-25%-60%) Without equipment __

26. Will it Make You Money? Soybeans (30%-40%-30%) Without equipment __

27. What’s the Take Home Message? Field shape and size impact ASC savingsField shape and size impact ASC savings Consult your dealer to learn about your optionsConsult your dealer to learn about your options Purchase a display that allows for technology upgradesPurchase a display that allows for technology upgrades For better results use higher accuracy GPS/GNSS correction serviceFor better results use higher accuracy GPS/GNSS correction service Maximizing productivity should be your overall management goalMaximizing productivity should be your overall management goal

28. Questions