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Precision Agriculture in Forages

Precision Agriculture in Forages. Jeff Gaither. Introduction. Precision Ag is an agricultural concept relying on the existence of in-field variability . (Wikipedia) A forage crop is a seeded crop, often introduced and managed using agronomic principles. Management Needs. Use Crop Weeds

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Precision Agriculture in Forages

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  1. Precision Agriculture in Forages Jeff Gaither

  2. Introduction • Precision Ag is an agricultural concept relying on the existence of in-field variability. (Wikipedia) • A forage crop is a seeded crop, often introduced and managed using agronomic principles

  3. Management Needs • Use • Crop • Weeds • Insects • Nutrients

  4. Use • Primarily used as a feedstock, can be used as wildlife habitat or erosion control. • Different crop uses require different management needs. example: corn grown for silage. Wheat grown for hay.

  5. Type of Crop • Different types of crops need different management decisions. example: No need to apply nitrogen to alfalfa.

  6. Weeds • Weeds in forage crops are not usually not a big deal, however, some need to be controlled. Many weeds have value as a forage. example: Sericea Lespedeza, older plants are less palatable and produce tannins that do not taste good. Annual 3-awn can cause throat problems in cattle.

  7. Insects • Just as in row crops insects can become a problem depending on crop. example: Blister beetles in alfalfa.

  8. Nutrients • Forages, just like row crops, need nutrients. Forages, however, are sometimes not economically feasible to treat.

  9. Weeds • Weeds may need to be managed. • Site specific management can be used if weeds are grouped in a “bunch”. Site specific management reduces cost of spraying.

  10. Weed Seeker • Spot Spray • Row crop forages • Merrilong Pastoral Company • 16% weed coverage/paddock • Large savings per year (row crop situation such as wheat)

  11. Crop Optics Spray Rig

  12. Insects • Mapping • Locating and marking of ‘hot spots’. • Spot treatment • Remote sensing of potential areas that might attract insects. • High organic matter • High moisture

  13. Nutrients • Most forage crops are not economically feasible to treat. • Some are. • Hay production is becoming more profitable due to regional droughts. • 2 years ago-round bale of low quality hay sold for $60-90.

  14. Nutrients • Wheat • Corn for silage • Bermudagrass • Green Seeker • Nitrogen Rich Strips and Ramps • Soil Testing • Can increase yield at reduced input cost.

  15. Green Seeker

  16. Opinion • I think that detailed management of forages will only be economical in a commercial setting.

  17. Decisions • Usually mixed communities • Are you encouraging cool season grasses, warm season grasses, legumes, or mixture. • Ultimately • What are you wanting?

  18. Questions?

  19. References http://www.cropoptics.com.au/crop/cropoptics/testimonials.asp http://nue.okstate.edu/Hand_Held/Hand_Held_Pictures.htm http://nue.okstate.edu/Hand_Held/Hand_Held_Pictures.htm http://images.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://vernon.tamu.edu/IRM/forages/CURRENT%2520PROGRAMS/Wheat/Breeding/wheat_1.jpg&imgrefurl=http://vernon.tamu.edu/IRM/forages/CURRENT%2520PROGRAMS/Wheat/Breeding/wheat_breeding.htm&h=1320&w=1020&sz=258&hl=en&start=9&tbnid=ZB0w7WJelpmhNM:&tbnh=150&tbnw=116&prev=/images%3Fq%3Dforage%2Bproduction%26gbv%3D2%26hl%3Den%26sa%3DG http://www.soiltesting.okstate.edu/images/website/Benefits_hay.jpeg http://www.illinoiswildflowers.info/grasses/photos/pr_3awn2.jpg http://images.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://www.co.shawnee.ks.us/images/nwImages/targets/lespedeza1targ.jpg&imgrefurl=http://www.co.shawnee.ks.us/nw/lespedeza.shtm&h=973&w=563&sz=33&hl=en&start=2&um=1&tbnid=CDBrJo9sOvXXjM:&tbnh=149&tbnw=86&prev=/images%3Fq%3Dsericea%2Blespedeza%26um%3D1%26hl%3Den%26sa%3DN http://www.oznet.ksu.edu/dp_hfrr/HortImage/bliste4.jpg

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