Precision AgriculturePrecision Agriculturein Europein EuropeOlga S. WalshOlga S. Walsh

BIOEN/SOIL 4213BIOEN/SOIL 4213

Spring 2007Spring 2007

The EU - established in The EU - established in 19571957 Currently -Currently - 27 27 member states member states Area = Area = 4,34,3 mill km² ( mill km² (2.72.7 mill miles mill miles22))

Agric. land & forestsAgric. land & forests account for account for 90% 90% of of total EU land total EU land

Population = Population = 493493 million million 60% 60% of population = of population = Farming communityFarming community Average farm sizeAverage farm size = = 1212 ha ha22 ( (3030 ac ac22))

Source:http://europa.eu (2007)

EU: EU: “United in Diversity”“United in Diversity”

F + C

J. Wilson J. Wilson

““The land is extremely variable, which causes yields The land is extremely variable, which causes yields and therefore profits to differ considerably across a and therefore profits to differ considerably across a field. This was what first sparked my interest in field. This was what first sparked my interest in precision farming."precision farming."

Source: http://www.soilessentials.co.uk/

"It is not the strongest that survive, nor the most intelligent, but the ones most responsive to change."   Charles Darwin

EU: increased awareness on pollutionEU: increased awareness on pollution Fertilizer N use controlFertilizer N use controlin Nitrate Vulnerable Zonesin Nitrate Vulnerable Zones Government on total N for cereals:Government on total N for cereals:180 kg N ha180 kg N ha-1-1 for wheat for wheat

Before:Before: ½ of N in Fall + 4 dozes mid season ½ of N in Fall + 4 dozes mid seasonNow:Now: very little preplant + all N mid season very little preplant + all N mid seasonHave to be more N-efficientHave to be more N-efficientVariable-rate applicationVariable-rate application

Goal:Goal: to provide the best possible advice, services and products to the arable farming community, delivering increases in precision, efficiency, and profitability.

J. Wilson J. Wilson R. Ramsay R. Ramsay R. Watson R. Watson

Services:Services:Soil SamplingYield & Data AnalysisYield AnalysisProfit MappingField TrialsFertilizer PlanningVariable N Application

Products:Products:Yield MonitorsGlobal Positioning Systems (GPS)Variable Rate Controllers Software

Source: http://www.soilessentials.co.uk/

A Step FurtherA Step Further

Yara N SensorYara N Sensor (Germany)(Germany) Since 1998Since 1998

Passive sensor:Passive sensor: Measures sunlight reflected Measures sunlight reflected by the crop (4 angles)by the crop (4 angles) Simultaneously measures Simultaneously measures the ambient lightthe ambient light Permanent correction for Permanent correction for light conditions.light conditions.

Sensing area = 50mSensing area = 50m22

Source: www.bse.unl.edu (2005)

Yara N SensorYara N Sensor (Germany)(Germany) Since 1998Since 1998

Algorithms:Algorithms:Winter & Spring WheatWinter & Spring WheatWinter & Spring BarleyWinter & Spring BarleyWinter Oilseed RapeWinter Oilseed RapePotatoes Potatoes

Increased NUEIncreased NUEIncreased grain yieldIncreased grain yield

Increased grain qualityIncreased grain qualityIncreased gross margin = 12%Increased gross margin = 12%

5 Years (UK):5 Years (UK):Return on capital = 133%Return on capital = 133%

Cost = US $15,000Cost = US $15,000

400 Yara sensors operate on farms in 20 countries400 Yara sensors operate on farms in 20 countries

Source: www.bse.unl.edu (2005)

Yara N Sensor SystemYara N Sensor System

Source: www.bse.unl.edu (2005)

Calculates economic Calculates economic optimum N requirementoptimum N requirement Accounts for: rainfall, Accounts for: rainfall, soil type, previous soil type, previous cropping.cropping.

N Tester – N Tester – equivalent of aequivalent of achlorophyll meterchlorophyll meter

Optimum N rate : N Tester or N Plan.Optimum N rate : N Tester or N Plan.

YARA N sensor varies N rate Recommendation YARA N sensor varies N rate Recommendation around the average optimum.around the average optimum.

N Plan - topN Plan - topdressing servicedressing service

Chlorophyll leaf content Chlorophyll leaf content related to N status.related to N status. 30 random readings across 30 random readings across the field = average used to the field = average used to determine N requirementsdetermine N requirements Net Return = US $ 40-45/haNet Return = US $ 40-45/ha Source: www.yara.com (2007)

ALSALS N-SensorN-SensorActive Light SourceActive Light SourceDetect plant N statusDetect plant N status& Crop biomass& Crop biomassOn-the-go VRAOn-the-go VRAIrrespective of lightIrrespective of lightconditions conditions Cost = US $20,000Cost = US $20,000

Software for various cropsSoftware for various cropsAlgorithms developed using long-term trial dataAlgorithms developed using long-term trial data

Source: www.yara.com (2007)

INPUTS:INPUTS:Field name & dateField name & dateSoil typeSoil typePrevious managementPrevious managementRainfallRainfallStocking rateStocking rate

OUTPUTS:OUTPUTS:N, P2O5, K2ON, P2O5, K2Oreccomendationsreccomendations

BeefBeefSheepSheepDairyDairySilageSilageForageForage

WheatWheatOilseed rapeOilseed rapeOatsOatsPotatoesPotatoesSugar beetSugar beetPeas & beansPeas & beans

MUST KNOW SITE MUST KNOW SITE SPECIFIC SPECIFIC INFORMATIONINFORMATION

++

WILL OBTAIN MORE WILL OBTAIN MORE ACCURATE ACCURATE FERTILIZER FERTILIZER RECOMMENDATIONRECOMMENDATION

Source: www.yara.com (2007)

Variable Rate Variable Rate application:application:N fertilizerN fertilizerStem stabilizersStem stabilizersFungicidesFungicides

Arrangement of a 3-point mounted device in Arrangement of a 3-point mounted device in front of a tractorfront of a tractor Bending resistance of the cereal stems is highly Bending resistance of the cereal stems is highly related to the mass of the stemsrelated to the mass of the stems

(Germany) Since 2004(Germany) Since 2004

CROP METERCROP METER

Source: www.agrocom.com (2007)

FrameFrame

Pendulum Pendulum bodybody

PotentiometerPotentiometer

SurfaceSurfacesensor rodsensor rod

Inclination sensorInclination sensorElectronic boxElectronic box

Mass = 40kg; Working width = 1 mMass = 40kg; Working width = 1 m

Voltage = 12V; Energy consumption = 50WVoltage = 12V; Energy consumption = 50W

CROP METERCROP METER

Source: Ehlert and Dammer (2006)

VIDEO

Increased NUEIncreased NUEIncreased yield = 3 %Increased yield = 3 %

Reduced N fertilizer rate = 15%Reduced N fertilizer rate = 15%Fertilizer N savings = 10 kg N haFertilizer N savings = 10 kg N ha

Reduced fungicide & growth regulator rates = 20-25%Reduced fungicide & growth regulator rates = 20-25%Average savings = US $15 – 40/haAverage savings = US $15 – 40/ha

CROP METERCROP METER

Source: Ehlert and Dammer (2006)

Application rates are Application rates are calculated based on:calculated based on:Pendulum swingPendulum swingFarmer preset valuesFarmer preset values

Values transferred to Values transferred to computer on spreadercomputer on spreader

Cost = US $ 7,000Cost = US $ 7,000

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EuropeEurope