Precision Farming
What’s influencing our ag system?
2011
Bobby Grisso
Virginia Tech
Biological Systems Engineering
Resources:
http://pubs.ext.vt.edu/category/precision-geospatial-sensor.html
Precision Farming - A Comprehensive Approach.
Precision Farming Tools: GPS Navigation.
Precision Farming Tools: Yield Monitor.
Precision Farming Tools: Global Positioning System-GPS.
Precision Farming Tools: Variable-Rate Application
Precision Farming Tools: Soil Electrical Conductivity.
Investing in GPS Guidance Systems?
Interpreting Yield Maps - "I gotta yield map - now what?"
Ten Agricultural and
Biological Engineering
Achievements that Changed
the World
10 Engineering Achievements
1.
Development of the Agricultural Tractor
2. Rural Electrification
3. Self-Propelled Combine
4. Center Pivot for Irrigation
5. International Harvester Cotton Picker
6. Milking Machine
7. Conservation Tillage
8. ASABE Standardization Procedure
9. Rubber Tires on Tractors
10. Refrigerated On-Farm Milk Storage
The Influence of Precision Agriculture!
Precision Agriculture
• Precise information on agronomic factors.
• Precise selection and placement of crop inputs.
• Precise position and travel information.
GPS Systems
GPS
Global Positioning System
Characteristics
• Free
60’s TRANSIT – doppler system
• Accurate
’95 Fully Operational Condition (FOC)
• Reliable
• Worldwide
• Unlimited user capacity
SOME GPS APPLICATIONS
COMMERCE &
GOVERNMENT
 MILITARY
 MARITIME
 AUTOMOTIVE
 SURVEYING
 AVIATION
 AGRICULTURE
 FORESTRY
 ENVIRONMENTAL
 PUBLIC SAFETY
RECREATIONAL
 HIKING
 HUNTING
 NATURE STUDY
 FISHING
 BOATING
 BIKING
 SKIING
 SNOWMOBILING
 GEOCACHING
 GOLF !
Space Segment
• 28 Rockwell satellites
• 7.5 yr life span
– 6 orbital planes @ 55 degree
orbits
– 2 orbits everyday
– Very high orbit (20,200 km)
– Radius of Earth ~ 8000 mi
(~12,900 )
How GPS works…
Satellite signals are broadcast at the speed
of light (186,000 miles per second)
Distance to satellite =11,200 miles
300,000 km/s a 1/1,000,000 sec Error =>300 m pos. Error
Precision Agriculture:
Systems Approach
Right source
Right rate
Right time
Right place
Section Control Systems
All Machinery must pay…
Precision Technology Use
Precision Ag Services Offered
Who’s Leading the Green Index?
Ag Journey
Ag Journey
Ag Journey
Ag Journey
Ag Journey
Ag Journey
Value Proposition
Automated Guidance
Implement Guidance
Variable Rate
Overlap Switching
Data Transfer
12.0%
3.0%
7.3%
4.6%
?
Total Savings >26.9%
26.9%
22.3%
15.0%
12.0%
Engineers working on Automatic Guidance and
Precision Agriculture have increased
productivity by 27% in the last 14 years
GPS Options for Ag
RTK Fixed 1cm
RTK Float 20cm
DGPS .5 - 5m
GPS 7 - 10m
Autonomous 50 - 100m S/A
DGPS Accuracy – Trimble Units
Sprayer Navigation
GPS Navigation Aids:
Reliable and more accurate
Accuracy at higher speeds
Easily used with spinner spreaders
Easy to use – less skilled operator
Effective over growing crops
Allows operation when visibility is poor
Less affected by weather
Lower recurring costs
Reduces operator fatigue and eye strain
Lower set-up time
Not effected by wind or boom bounce
Reduces overlaps and skips
Reduces need for people in sprayed areas
GPS Navigation Aids:
GPS Navigation Aids:
GPS Navigation Systems:
Spreaders
Boomless Sprayers
New VCE Publications
• Investing in GPS Guidance Systems?
• Precision Farming Tools: GPS Navigation
Self-Steering RTK
Autonomous Vehicles:
Scouting Tools
Remote Controlled Aircraft
Spraying and Video Scouting:
Aerial Photograph
Combines: Yield Monitors
Sensor for Turf Management
Sensor for Turf Management
Soil Sampling Methods
Soil Sampling
www.AgRobotics.com
Application Decisions?
Closed systems
Boom Height Control
• Operator Comfort
• Drift Control
• Proper Spray Tip Height For
Better Chemical Distribution
• Protect Boom Ends
Air-assisted sprayers
Smart Sprayers
• Computer guided Vision
systems on sprayers
• Real-time
• ID weeds, insects,
diseases
• Determine where,
what, and when to
spray
Greenseeker – N rate control
Precision Agriculture:
Systems Approach