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Precision Agriculture & GPS

Precision Agriculture & GPS. Introduction. Precision farming: managing each crop production input on a site specific basis. Example inputs: fertilizer --lime pesticides -- seed. Objectives of Precision Farming. Reduce waste Increase profit Maintain environment. Comparison.

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Precision Agriculture & GPS

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  1. Precision Agriculture & GPS

  2. Introduction • Precision farming: • managing each crop production input on a site specific basis. • Example inputs: • fertilizer --lime • pesticides -- seed

  3. Objectives of Precision Farming • Reduce waste • Increase profit • Maintain environment

  4. Comparison • Pre-mechanization: • Farmers dealt with each seed & plant • Post-mechanization: • Farmers dealt with entire fields

  5. Variable Rate Application • Applying different amounts of input while going across field

  6. Variable Rate Technology • Tools and equipment that allows for variable rate application

  7. Variability in the Field • Soil fertility • Moisture content • Soil texture • Topography • Pest population • pH

  8. Fast changers: nitrate level moisture content pest population Slow changers: topography texture pH

  9. Fertilizers • 97% of corn acres applied with N • ~25% cash production costs • Consider environmental impact

  10. Pesticides • $7 billion spent annually • 98% of corn & soybean acres • Environment is concern

  11. Seed • 1900 -- 1 farmer fed 8 people • 1990 -- 1 farmer feeds >100 people • We can change plant population as we plant

  12. Components of Precision Farming • Tillage - depth & residue • Planting - seed rate & depth • Spraying - certain area • Crop scouting - problem area • Harvesting - yield monitor

  13. Where on Earth are We? • Dead reckoning • Land-based positioning • Satellite-based positioning

  14. Dead Reckoning • Uses starting point • Speed • Travel time • Number of passes to determine location

  15. Land-Based Positioning • Uses radio towers • Must have three towers

  16. Satellite-Based Positioning • AKA • Global Positioning System • GPS for short

  17. GPS • Constellation of satellites • Developed by Department of Defense • Used 24 hrs./day anywhere on Earth

  18. Uses • Military • Industrial • Commercial • Civilian

  19. Segments of GPS • Space • User • Control

  20. Space • 24 satellites • 12,000 miles above Earth • Orbit twice daily • Always have at least 4 satellites in view

  21. “In view” = above horizon • Each satellite sends & receives radio signals • Radio signals travel ~183,000 miles per second • Satellites equipped with atomic clock for accuracy

  22. User Segment • GPS Units & Receivers • Free of charge usage of signals

  23. Control Segment • Track & monitor satellites • Master Control Station - AFB in Colorado Springs

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