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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
Corrected Satellite Signal
GPS Receiver
Display / Mobile ProcessorPC Software
John Deere 4955
Auto Steer Universal
KitRate 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
EconomicsExample from one application on 1200 Acres
With Airplane:Cost of Headline per acre $11.50 x 1200 = $12115 + 5% Overlap = $12,720Cost of Airplane per Acre $6.10 x 1200 = $7,320 Total Cost = $20,040With Tractor Sprayer and Guidance:Cost of Headline $11.50 x 1200 x 15% Overlap*= $15,870Saving 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
