Automatic Section Control (ASC) Technology

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

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

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

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

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

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

7. Increasing Production Efficiency Benefits • Reduced chemical costs • Increased spraying efficiency • Less fill-ups • Reduced operator fatigue • Improves environmental stewardship • Preservation of conservation structures

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

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

10. Types of Fields You Farm

11. Increasing Production Sustainability Slightly-Irregular Fields 105.5 ac 34.4 ac 69.3 ac 77.5 ac

12. Increasing Production Sustainability Irregular Fields 22.5 ac 16.3 30.3 23.8

13. Increasing Production Sustainability Highly-Irregular Fields 18.9 ac 20.5 ac 15.9 ac 42.5 ac

14. Planter Automatic Section Control Benefits • Reduced seed costs • Potential yield gains • Less risk of planting errors • Reduced potential for lodging • Reduced operator fatigue • Improved machine efficiency

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

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

17. Automatic Section Control Components • Controller plus Software Dickey-john John Deere AgLeader Raven KINZE TOPCON Trimble

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

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

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

21. Will it Make You Money? Corn

22. Will it Make You Money? Corn (15%-25%-60%)

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

24. Will it Make You Money? Soybeans

25. Will it Make You Money? 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 savings • Consult your dealer to learn about your options • Purchase a display that allows for technology upgrades • For better results use higher accuracy GPS/GNSS correction service • Maximizing productivity should be your overall management goal

28. Questions