Precision Guidance Systems for
Efficient Material Application
Presented By: Craig Kincaid
Our Operation
• Located in the Palouse, West of Pullman
• Produce crops on a three to four year
rotation.
• Terrain can make farming challenging
Brief History
• Early 1980’s – Spraying with a disc marker
or nothing at all on a wing-up pull
machine.
• Late 1980’s – Foam markers are
introduced.
• 1990’s – Chemical and fertilizer costs
steadily increase.
• Mid 1990’s – Began using rate monitors.
History Cont.
• 2004 - In the search of “a better way” we
built a new sprayer.
• Foam still used.
• 2006 – John Deere Greenstar 2 guidance
system adopted.
The Sprayer
• John Deere 4955
4WD Tractor
• 800 gallon capacity
• Spray at up to 14 MPH
• 70 ft swath
• Uses air induction tips
• MidTech spray monitor
Special Features
Easy Loading
Motorcycle Rack
More Features
Ability to run separate tank mixes
More Features
Hinged outside boom sections
Components
GPS Receiver
John Deere 4955
Corrected Satellite Signal
Display / Mobile Processor
PC Software
Auto Steer
Universal
Kit
Rate
Controller
Features of GreenStar 2
• Field Guidance
• Auto Steer
• Operate a Third Party
Controller
• Documentation of Each
Operation
• Prescription Rates
• Mark Hazards, Boundaries,
and Objects
Documentation and Records
• Track tank mix totals, acres, time, weather
etc.
• Useful for landlord billing
• FSA certification
Expected Benefits
• Improved Efficiency
• Reduction of Inputs
• Less Operator
Fatigue
• Accuracy
• Year to Year Data
Accuracy from Precision Ag. System
Original GreenStar
• Harvest Monitor was put
on the spray tractor.
• Worked well, but was
difficult to understand,
and learn.
• Had no real function
except to help keep the
mark.
The move to GreenStar 2
•
•
•
•
Interest in AutoSteer
Large color screen was attractive
Simple user interface
Why John Deere?
Precision Guidance Put to Use
• Installed midway through Spraying Season of
2006
• Used on the Spring Crops
• Found that Straight Track worked better than
Curve Track
True Test
• 1200 acres of Garbanzos found with
Blight, and needed an application of
Headline immediately.
• Daytime temperatures to hot to spray
effectively.
• We decided to use the guidance to spray
at night.
Results
• 1200 acres covered in 24 hours of night
spraying.
• Fields were covered in less time than
normal.
• Overlap reduced by 5% from the average
10% to 15% found with foam systems.
Results
• All of this would not have been possible
using the foam marker system.
Tracks from the Night
Another View
APEX Software
• Another component of a guidance system.
• Excellent for farm analysis and
management.
Uses of APEX
APEX
APEX
APEX
APEX
Economics
Example from one application on 1200 Acres
With Airplane:
Cost of Headline per acre
Cost of Airplane per Acre
$11.50 x 1200 = $12115 + 5% Overlap = $12,720
$6.10 x 1200 = $7,320
Total Cost = $20,040
With Tractor Sprayer and Guidance:
Cost of Headline
$11.50 x 1200 x 15% Overlap*= $15,870
Saving with Guidance
5%
= ($793.50)
Labor and Operating Expenses
= $2,400
Total Cost = $17,476.50
Savings of $2563.50
Also Consider:
Value of spraying on time
Reduction of total chemical used
Our Precision Ag. Future
•
•
•
•
John Deere SwathControl
Harvest Yield Mapping
Variable Rate Fertilizing
Using Tram Lines
Questions?
Contact Info:
Craig Kincaid
(509) 595 – 2475