Utilization of GPS Based Technology in Row Crop Research
and Bulk Production at the Davis Purdue Ag Center
6230 N State Road 1
Farmland, IN 47340
765-468-7022
www.agriculture.purdue.edu/pac/davis/index.html
One of 8 Ag Centers in Indiana
623 acres – 450 Tillable
Corn, Soybeans, Wheat
Emphasis on Site Specific Ag
Long Term Timber Management
and Genetic Research
Davis Purdue Ag Center (DPAC)
1917
Gift from Martha Davis in 1917
Given in memory of her son Herbert Davis
Original gift was 385 acres
DPAC Expanded to Current Size in 1960s
Horses, Beef Cattle, Dairy Cattle
Hog Operation Phased Out in late-1990s
Row Crops
2011
Traditional Small Plot Research
No Plot Equipment
2 ½ hours from Purdue Campus
Heavy Clay, Poorly Drained, Variable Soils
Most Fields – 30 acres in size
Not Suitable for Small Plots
System of Field Scale Research Plots
Field Scale Research Plots - 90 ft wide by 300 ft long
Utilization of GPS Technology at DPAC
Development of Field Scale Plot System
1995
Ag Leader AL2000 with FM DGPS
No Software on farm
1996 – 1997
AL2000 & Rockwell Vision System
Omni Star GPS Receiver with Satellite
DGPS
Logged data on VCD & Exported data
as CSV files
Kawasaki Mule for mapping & soil sampling
1998 – 2000
Switched to elevator side mount moisture sensor
Grid Soil Sampling and VRT applications of P&K
HP Palmtop computer and pocket excel for scouting
Trimble AgGPS 132 GPS receiver and Ipaq with Farmworks Software
Added Parallel Swath Bar
VRT NH3 applications
Veris Data Collection
Topo Mapping
Order 1 Soil Survey – Purdue and NRCS
2001
Compaq Ipaq with Pocket Excel
Field Scouting
Crop Plan Files
Farmworks Site Mate Software
Picture Viewer
Ag Leader PF3000 with GPS4100 receiver
on combine
Began VRT Applications of Lime
2002-2003
Added 28 Applicator with Rawson drive
PF3000 Pro and Rawson Drives on planter and drill
Added Fertilizer Spreader with Rawson drive
2004-2005
Kawasaki Diesel Mule for field mapping and
soil sampling
Raven Viper Computer installed on Spra-Coupe
2008
Chandler Lime Spreader with Raven Controller
2009
Wintex 1000 Automatic Soil Sampler
2010
Trimble RTK Autosteer System
2 tractors and combine
Grid Soil Sampling
Data Sets
Farmworks Software
Ag Leader SMS Software Packages
Field History & Data Sets
DPAC Staff
Verify Plot
Plan
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
11.
Field Boundary
Soil Types
Tile Drainage
Yield Data
Soil Fertility Data
Cropping History
Fertilizer/Lime Applications
Topo Data
Soil EC Data
Aerial Images
Others
Field Boundary
Soil Types
Project Utilizes
Background Data
in Developing
Plot Plan
Other Data Sets
Plot Plan
Tile Drainage
Equipment Sized Systematically
 Field Cultivator – 22.5 ft
 Sunflower Disk – 18 ft
 Disc Chisel – 9 shank





Planter
Drill
28 UAN applicator
Fertilizer Spreader
Lime Spreader
 Sprayer
15 ft
15 ft
15 ft
45 ft
30 ft
75 ft boom (15 ft sections)
 Case/IH Combine – 15 ft grain table, 6 row corn head
Commercial Computer Software Packages
 Ag Leader SMS Advanced - Yield Data Processing, Prescription Files,
Plot Size/Configuration, Grid Soil Sampling
 Farmworks Software - Crop Records, Yield Data, Prescription Files, Grid
Soil Sampling, SURFACE WATER MANAGEMENT
 ESRI Inc - ArcView GIS
GPS Equipment
 Ag Leader - GPS 4100
 Trimble Navigation - AgGPS132
 Raven GPS Receiver WAAS
 Farmworks - Navman Receiver
 OmniStar USA Inc - Differential Correction Signal
 Trimble RTK System
GPS Based
Technology
System
Rawson Drive
PF3000 Pro
Trimble FmX
GPS Based Field Scale Research Projects Summary
Purdue University Studies
Nitrogen Response of Corn and Soybeans Bob Nielsen & Jim Camberato
Drainage Water Management Jane Frankenberger, Eileen Kladivko, Laura Bowling
Corn Seeding Rate Study Bob Nielsen
Soybean Seeding Rate Study Shaun Casteel
Soybean Row Spacing Study Shaun Casteel
Nitrogen Response of Wheat Shaun Casteel and Jim Camberato
Evaluating Early-Applied Foliar Fungicide to Corn Kiersten Wise
Soybean Fungicide Efficacy Trials Kiersten Wise
Planting Date by Row Spacing Study Shawn Conley
Yield Monitor Calibration and Dry Weight Losses in Corn Grain During Field Dry-Down
Bob Nielsen
Site-Specific Precision Management (P&K) on Indiana Corn & Soybean Production
Sylvie Brouder
Comparison of Soybean Seed Metering Techniques Dan Ess, Ellsworth Christmas
Corn Harvest Resolution Study Dan Ess
Plant Health Response Study Shawn Conley and Greg Shaner
Soybean Rust Canopy Cover Study Shawn Conley and Greg Shaner
Soybean Rust Volume Study Shawn Conley and Greg Shaner
Soybean Yields Following Zone Tillage Systems for High Oil Corn
Tony Vyn and Terry West
Spatial Response of High Oil Corn to Conservation Tillage and Potassium Fertilizer
Tony Vyn and Terry West
GPS Based Field Scale Research Projects Summary
Collaborative Studies with Industry and Other Agencies
Syngenta, Monsanto, Dow AgroSciences, Raven, Trimble, Natural Resources
Conservation Service, PPI, USB
Soybean Plant Performance Study
Corn Fungicide Study
Corn FACT Plots
`
Herbicide Volatility Study
Performance of Harness and Degree Applied Mid-Post to Corn
Roundup Ready Corn Herbicide Versus Competitive Herbicide Products
Slow Release N Impact on Corn
GPS Based Field Scale Research Project Information
Information and Data From GPS Based Projects has been presented at
Fields Days and Workshops Hosted at DPAC
Annual Field Day
Pioneer Diagnostic Training Day
Info Ag Tour
National Soil Classifiers Tour
DuPont Crop Tour
Valent Crop Tour
Monsanto Crop Tour
Programs Presented by Local Extension Educators
Purdue Collaborative On-Farm Research
Indiana crop producers have incorporated the use of GPS Based Technology into their
operations. Experience at the Davis Purdue Ag Center and other PACs has helped
researchers in developing a Purdue Collaborative On-Farm Research Program where
Indiana crop producers, Indiana Certified Crop Advisers, county Purdue Extension
Educators, and campus Purdue Extension field crops specialists work together to come up
with answers to farming’s challenging questions. See web site for more information
www.agry.purdue.edu/ext/ofr/.
DPAC Staff
 Superintendent – A/P
 Service/Clerical
 Research Faculty and Students Travel from Campus
Empowering Staff
Ability of Staff
Expectations of Staff
Value of New Technology
Implementing Technology into Routine Operations
Patience
Repeated Use
Good Communication
EVERY QUESTION/CONCERN IS A GOOD QUESTION!!
GPS Based Technology
Allowed Us to Bring Together Field Scale Research
and Bulk Production Practices In An Efficient and
Effective Manner
Advantages
Production Equipment – Research Purposes
Ag Center Staff Can Implement Plots
Research Conducted Under “Field Conditions”
Variable Rate Fertilizer/Lime Applications
Data Quality/Consistency – Extraction of Data
Multiple Data Sets – Know the Fields
New Data Sets – Verify Old Data Sets
More Accurate Input Orders
More Accurate Applications
Disadvantages
Volume of data generated
Dependence on electronic equipment
Variability of plots
Investment in DPAC Site Specific Technology
1995
1996
1997
1998
1999
2000
2001
2002
2003
2004
2008
2009
2010
Total
$ 12,150
$ 46,700
$ 15,133
$ 1,900
$ 12,640
$ 3,620
$ 8,000
$ 8,000
$ 45,300
$ 8,000
$ 20,000
$ 7,845
$ 21,852
$211,140
16 Years
$13,196/yr
$30/tillable acre/yr
Labor/Management???
Soil Testing???
Software Cost???
Purdue Agricultural Centers – Financial Overview
Regional Agricultural Center funding comes
largely from three sources:
 State line-item (33%)
 Sales of commodities (55%)
 Endowments & minor grants (12%)
PAC FY 2009-10 Funding Sources
12%
33%
State Appropriations
Commodity Sales
Endowments/Gifts
55%
Funding GPS Based Technology
Commodity Sales
Endowment Funds
Faculty
Industry
Other Agencies
What Does the Future Hold???
 Use of GPS Based Technology has
Expanded to other Ag Centers and
ACRE
 On Farm Research
 RTK Systems have the potential to
change how we look at row crop
research and production