Precision Farming Meeting - Key Points. Precision Farming is made up of three basic elements

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1 Precision Farming Meeting - Key Points Precision Farming is made up of three basic elements Tractor and Machine Control Targeted Agronomy Data Management The mix of these three elements is dependant on the farming enterprise, scale and particular interest that the farmer has however each element does tend to overlap with the others. Precision Farming can be incorporated into each stage of the farming process though it is probably wise to choose one element to focus on to begin with to keep things from getting overcomplicated Before investing in precision farming it is important to know how precise you already are and therefore how much of a saving you are going to make by investing. This can be assessed by using simple measurements and calculations. How wide is your drill? How much is it costing you by not keeping the header of the combine full? Measure your tramlines - are they the width you think they are? Using a manual system with no guidance you are likely to have 4% overlap, a medium spec system could improve this to 1.6 % overlap and a RTK (Real Time Kinetic) top spec system could reduce overlap to 0.33%. On savings for seed and fertiliser cost alone this could save 64 over a 12.6 ha field on a medium spec system and 153 on the RTK system. Including fuel and labour that could increase to 138 for medium spec and up to 244 for RTK. Over a 500 ha farm using guidance only to improve precision of tramlines this could amount to 5491 on a medium spec system and 9696 for RTK. Benefits Economic Environmental Practical (Time demands etc) Farm/crop management Quality Traceability/Assurance Costs Equipment Licence/subscriptions Maintenance Training Set up time Compatibility issues* * This is perhaps one of the biggest issues and is best discussed with other farmers in order to hear practical experiences as often salesmen don t know of compatibility issues.

2 Background to GPS Guidance GPS- American 24 Satellites GloNASS- Russian- 24 Satellites Gallileo- EU- 30 Satellites planned The more satellites a system can pick up the greater the accuracy and less chance of a losing signal. Some systems are activated for GPS and GloNASS and this will increase the number of satellite signals. Previously receiving 3-4 satellites was normal now more commonly 6-7. Basic systems using free signals provide accuracy to +/- 0.5m Medium accuracy system +/- 5cm RTK system +/- 2cm A correction signal is needed for the most accurate systems. This correction signal can be provided by different means. Satellite based correction signal - DGPS - This is based on a subscription service for your correction signal which is a stationary object. This is then beamed back to another satellite and then back to your tractor to act as the correction signal. Advantages Flexible signal options for each receiver Cost effective for a small number of receivers Flexible signal options Disadvantages Costly for a large number of receivers Doesn t provide repeatable positioning Signal can be lost under trees and in confined spaces RTK base station correction signal - The RTK base station can either be a portable station which can be moved from field to field or a mast that is attached at a high point on the farm i.e. a grain shed. The correction signal is sent via radio waves from the base station to the receiver on the vehicle. Advantages A large number of receivers can obtain a signal from one base station Signal can be shared between growers Provides repeatable positioning year after year down to 2cms Disadvantages Needs line of sight to work Has a range of 10kms from the base station to the receiver

3 A cost benefit of investing in a RTK base station is that one signal can be shared across neighbouring farms provided the base station is mounted at high enough point and their is a clear line of site to the tractors. RTK Correction signal via mobile phone - Base stations are ordnance survey points throughout the UK. The correction signal is then sent via mobile phone signal to the tractor. Advantages No cost of putting up a receiver Provides repeatable positioning year after year down to 2cms Offers location flexibility, correction signal is available anywhere Flexible signal options to fit in with farming business Disadvantage Can lose signal behind trees or in areas of very poor reception One signal per receiver

4 Other machine controlled precision techniques Auto section control of sprayer allows shut off of specific nozzles to allow you to patch spray weeds previously mapped, prevent wastage on end rigs and awkward points. Automated fertiliser spreader control has less wastage on end rigs, awkward corners and allows for shut down near watercourses to prevent pollution issues Need to ensure best practice for your machines. Correct set up is important and all operators need to be correctly trained. All Sprayers, fertiliser spreaders etc have to be correctly calibrated. There is no point in using precision equipment if you are not going to be spreading accurately. Operator Vital to the success of any precision farming operation, without operator engagement the system will not work effectively and provide return on investment. Less concentration required therefore there will be less fatigue More time to make the most of the machinery More skill out of skilled operators More skilled out of less skilled and part time operators Targeting Agronomy First you have to measure the variation you have on your farm. By identifying the variation fertiliser seed and spray inputs can then be managed accordingly, this may be through variable rate application of inputs. Once you have measured infield variation, you can manage it and that is the key to maximising long term benefits of precision farming. Variation can be measured by Soil texture Canopy Management Nutrient Management Yield Mapping Traditional methods of measuring variation include using old field maps, soil classification maps and soil structure maps. A good place to start when assessing variation on farm is to look on Google maps. These aerial photographs although slightly out of date allow you to see patches of colour variation in the field which together with your field knowledge will help to assess the variation.

5 Using Google maps and your own knowledge you can identify different zones in the field and carry out some hand texturing of the soil this will allow you to create some very simple seed rate map according to soil texture in the field. Electrical conductivity scanning (EM38 scanning) can be used to create a soil texture map based on electrical conductivity. This is best carried out in the winter when the soil is holding more moisture. Canopy Management Can be measured using satellite based sensors or tractor mounted sensors in order to measure variation within the canopy. Satellite based sensors can be used to produce a GAI (Green Area Index) map. This can then be used to produce an application map to allow varying N application across the field. Tractor mounted sensors measure the GAI of the crop around the tractor and allow for real time N variation across the field. Nutrient Management P, K and Mg sampling across the farm. W sample- Traditional method but may not give accurate enough information if there is a lot of variation within a field and cannot be used to map a field. Grid sampling. Targeted Sampling Soil Zoning By using a combination of yield off take maps and P nutrient maps you are then able to create an application map for variable rate application of P. Yield mapping is a useful tool which can show areas which are yielding higher or lower within a field. Although useful it is vital to strike the correct balance between too much and too little information on your maps. It is also important that you correctly interpret the information on the maps. When to perform these tasks Spring Summer Autumn Winter Nutrient Mapping Canopy Management Yield Mapping Weed Mapping Nutrient mapping EC Mapping Weed Mapping Data Management Depending on computer ability, willingness and time data management can be done yourself or can be outsourced.

6 Information should be treated with care and all computer records should be backed up The data which you are looking to collect and what you are aiming to achieve should be discussed with the operator. Everything should be calibrated as there is no point in being precisely inaccurate. Be precise Precision farming calculator is a handy tool to be able to work out the cost and benefit of implementing precision farming on a farm scale and can be found at Meeting Outcomes Nutrient Mapping The community group were keen to see both grid and EC based soil mapping carried out on the monitor farm as a way of producing nutrient maps for subsequent variable spreading of lime and P&K. It was suggested that both systems are demonstrated on the same field to clearly bring out the merits of the alternative methods. Action Point: Contact service companies and arrange mapping of a field. Variable Seed Rate To explore Alistair s interest in variable seed rate it was proposed that a selected field is sown using both a fixed and variable seed rate drill. Different zones will be identified and based on Alistair s knowledge of the field variation and hand texturing. Action Point: Select and assess field. Source power harrow mounted variable seed drill. Canopy Management Arrange the use of satellite sensing to produce 3 application maps for variable nitrogen application across a field of winter wheat next spring. Action Point: Arrange service RTK Service Share There was clear interest from some members of the group to explore the merits of sharing the cost of an RTK which could provide a 10km coverage. Options 1. Approach existing users to explore share arrangement. 2. Commission RTK survey to assess position and number of stations required to provide coverage for those interested. Action Point: Any member interested in sharing an RTK system to contact Donald Dunbar directly.