GPSGIS Applications in Agriculture Gary T Roberson Agricultural

GPS/GIS Applications in Agriculture Gary T. Roberson Agricultural Machinery Systems

GPS/GIS Applications ü Guidance ü ü Point Guidance Swath Guidance ü Control ü ü ü Variable rate application Variable depth tillage Variable irrigation ü Mapping ü ü ü ü Soil properties Chemical Application Chemical Prescriptions Tillage Maps Yield Mapping Pest Mapping Topographic Maps Planting Maps

Field Mapping üPosition data (georeference data) recorded at predetermined intervals. üOther data recorded manually or automatically by monitor, computer, or data logger. üData displayed by geographic information system (GIS) in thematic map format.

Soil Sampling üGeoreferenced soil samples can be collected üSampling Methods ü ü Grid sampling: intensive sampling of entire field Directed sampling: intensive sampling of particular target areas

Grid Sampling ü Data collected for each cell or point ü Multiple samples combined into each cell or point sample

Directed Sampling ü Sampling zones established based on knowledge of field ü GPS used to locate sample points. ü Areas of interest intensely sampled, others lightly sampled

Crop Maze Field Boundary, Vollmer Farm, Bunn, NC

Crop Maze

Crop Maze ü 5 acre corn field ü Creative minds ü Sub meter DGPS ü Field computer ü Mapping software ü 450 foot tall wolf

Yield Maps üRecord of spatial yield variability within a field or farm. üGPS data coupled with yield data to produce map. ü ü Mechanically harvested Hand harvested üUseful tool for decision making.

Cotton Yield Map

Field Scouting üFields can be scouted for a variety of pests üPest populations recorded on maps üDecision tools can be applied on a site specific basis

Weed Map

Variable Rate Control üApplication rates designed for needs of small sections of a field üGPS determines position of equipment in the field üComputer controls use GPS data and prescription files to adjust rate

Prescription Map