Precision Agriculture in Europe Olga S Walsh BIOENSOIL

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

EU: “United in Diversity” n n n n The EU - established in 1957 Currently - 27 member states Area = 4, 3 mill km² (2. 7 mill miles 2) Agric. land & forests account for 90% of total EU land Population = 493 million 60% of population = Farming community Average farm size = 12 ha 2 (30 ac 2) F+C Source: http: //europa. eu (2007)

“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. " J. Wilson ü EU: increased awareness on pollution ü Fertilizer N use control in Nitrate Vulnerable Zones ü 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 ÞHave to be more N-efficient ÞVariable-rate application "It is not the strongest that survive, nor the most intelligent, but the ones most responsive to change. " Charles Darwin Source: http: //www. soilessentials. co. uk/

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

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

Yara N Sensor (Germany) Since 1998 Increased NUE Increased grain yield Increased grain quality Increased gross margin = 12% 5 Years (UK): Return on capital = 133% Algorithms: Winter & Spring Wheat Winter & Spring Barley Cost = US $15, 000 Winter Oilseed Rape Potatoes 400 Yara sensors operate on farms in 20 countries Source: www. bse. unl. edu (2005)

Yara N Sensor System Source: www. bse. unl. edu (2005)

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

ALS N-Sensor Source: www. yara. com (2007) 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

WILL OBTAIN MORE ACCURATE FERTILIZER RECOMMENDATION MUST KNOW SITE SPECIFIC INFORMATION INPUTS: Field name & date Soil type Previous management Rainfall Stocking rate OUTPUTS: N, P 2 O 5, K 2 O reccomendations Wheat Oilseed rape Oats Potatoes Sugar beet Peas & beans + Beef Sheep Dairy Silage Forage Source: www. yara. com (2007)

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

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

CROP METER ü Application rates are calculated based on: Pendulum swing Farmer preset values ü Values transferred to computer on spreader ü Cost = US $ 7, 000 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 Source: Ehlert and Dammer (2006)

Future of PA in Europe