Variable Rate Variable Rate Technology in Aerial Technology in Aerial Application Application

A presentation forA presentation forAg-Pro ExpoAg-Pro ExpoAtlanta, GAAtlanta, GA

February, 2007February, 2007

VRT utilizes VRT utilizes improvements in improvements in multiple technologiesmultiple technologies AircraftAircraft GPS Swath GuidanceGPS Swath Guidance Aerial imaging and Prescription Aerial imaging and Prescription

MapsMaps Dispersal SystemDispersal System

Air Tractor aircraftAir Tractor aircraft

Leader in the industryLeader in the industry

Turbine-powered aircraft ranging from Turbine-powered aircraft ranging from 400 to 800 gallon capacity400 to 800 gallon capacity

Air Tractor aircraftAir Tractor aircraft

Highly productive Can efficiently treat a variety of

field sizes, application rates, and ferry distances

Spray Pattern / Drift Spray Pattern / Drift MinimizationMinimization Extensive research to design optimal Extensive research to design optimal

boom and nozzle placementboom and nozzle placement

Excellent spray pattern; Excellent spray pattern; aerodynamically clean fuselage aerodynamically clean fuselage reduces turbulence and drift potentialreduces turbulence and drift potential

GPS – Swath GuidanceGPS – Swath Guidance

Main players: Satloc Main players: Satloc and Del Norte merged to and Del Norte merged to form Hemisphere Airform Hemisphere Air

GPS adopted by majority GPS adopted by majority of aerial applicatorsof aerial applicators

Flow control capability Flow control capability has been in place for has been in place for past decade.past decade.

Aerial VRT started 2003Aerial VRT started 2003

Satloc systemSatloc system

Imaging / Prescription Imaging / Prescription MapsMaps In TimeIn Time

– Digital Infrared Digital Infrared Aerial ImageryAerial Imagery

– Scout Map to Scout Map to Prescription Prescription Map in minutesMap in minutes

John Deere John Deere Agri-ServicesAgri-Services

Wilbur EllisWilbur Ellis

Imaging / Mapping Imaging / Mapping ResearchResearch

USDA Agricultural Research Service USDA Agricultural Research Service conducting Remote Sensing Studies with conducting Remote Sensing Studies with an Air Tractor for:an Air Tractor for:– Weed detectionWeed detection– Detection of insect habitatDetection of insect habitat– Insect and disease damageInsect and disease damage– Nutrient statusNutrient status– Determining the onset of plant water stress Determining the onset of plant water stress

using thermal imagery using thermal imagery

GPS

Videomonitor

Remote

External GPSantenna (opt.)

SATLOC GPS

Camera

VMS

Fiber optic cable

Camera status indicator

Air Tractor 402B

Digital Video Digital Video InstrumentationInstrumentation

Weed detection:Weed detection:Original imageOriginal image

Johnsongrass

Cotton in rows

Spurges

Weed detection:Weed detection:Processed imageProcessed image

Red = Johnson grass

Yellow = Spurge

Green = Cotton

Black = Unclassified

Dispersal Systems for Dispersal Systems for VRTVRT Engine-driven Hydraulic Spray

System: Kawak Aviation Technologies– Controls flow rate by varying speed

of pump– Rate changes in milliseconds– Zero-rate capable– Cost: app. $50,000

Paired with AutoCal flow controller by Houma Avionics

Installation on AT-402BInstallation on AT-402B

Installation on AT-402BInstallation on AT-402B

Installation on AT-402BInstallation on AT-402B

Dispersal Systems Dispersal Systems (cont.)(cont.) DC Powered Electric SystemDC Powered Electric System

– Controls rate by an electric valve, such as Satloc Aerial Ace

– Rate changes are slower than with full hydraulic system

– Zero rates are controlled by a separate hydraulic shutoff valve

– Cost: app. $27,000

Nozzles for VRTNozzles for VRT

Veri-rate by Spray TargetVeri-rate by Spray Target– Designed specifically for Variable Designed specifically for Variable

Rate Aerial ApplicationRate Aerial Application– Keeps droplet size within proper Keeps droplet size within proper

spectrum regardless of pressurespectrum regardless of pressure

AE-50 NozzleAE-50 Nozzle

Pressure Pressure variation from variation from 30 – 60 PSI30 – 60 PSI

Flow rate Flow rate variation from variation from 0.3 to 3.0 GPM0.3 to 3.0 GPM

Rate change Rate change response time is response time is .25 seconds.25 seconds

Advantages of Aerial Advantages of Aerial VRTVRT Accuracy: USDA study (Smith & Thomson, Accuracy: USDA study (Smith & Thomson,

2005)2005)– Flowrate error due to flow controller: Flowrate error due to flow controller: .77%.77%– Flowrate error due to rate change timing: Flowrate error due to rate change timing:

3.04%3.04% Faster than ground applicationFaster than ground application No crop damage from wheel tracks No crop damage from wheel tracks Cost savings from reduced chemicalsCost savings from reduced chemicals Environmental benefitEnvironmental benefit

Accuracy of Aerial VRTAccuracy of Aerial VRT

Prescription Map

Actual Applied

Accuracy of Aerial VRTAccuracy of Aerial VRT

Prescription Map

Actual Applied

2

3

4

6

1 Lowest Biomass

7 Highest Biomass

5

0 gpa

2.5 gpa, Pix @ 10 fl oz, Bidrin @ 5.13 fl oz, Boron @ 2.5 fl oz

3.0 gpa

4.0 gpa

0 gpa

4.0 gpa, Pix @ 16 fl oz, Bidrin @ 8.2 fl oz, Boron @ 4.0 fl oz

3.0 gpa

Variable Rate (VR) PGR/Insecticide/Boron ApplicationLocation:

Arkansas Delta

Crop: Cotton

Field Size: 422.01 Acres

Imagery Acquired: July 5, 2004

VR Treatment Applied: July 8, 2004

Chemical Cost of Variable Rate Application:

$5.85/Acre

Blanket application equivalent to the 3 gpa rate:

$9.39/Acre.

Cost savings: $3.54/acre

Scout Map

Prescription Map

Insecticide ApplicationInsecticide Application

264.14 acres 1 gal = 216.59 acres

No Spray = 47.54 acres18% Chemical Savings

Prescription Map

As Applied

2.3 gallons

0 gallons

3.0 gallons

Rx & As-Applied

917.74 AcresPix on cotton

Saved $5.06 / AcreVersus 3 gal / Acre Blanket

Cost Savings of VRTScout Map

Prescription

As-Applied

Applications & Future Applications & Future GrowthGrowth

Aerial VRT being used in Texas, California and Aerial VRT being used in Texas, California and Mississippi DeltaMississippi Delta

ApplicationsApplications– Cotton: Pix and DefoliationCotton: Pix and Defoliation– Rice: Fertilizer and InsecticideRice: Fertilizer and Insecticide– Trees (fruit & nut)Trees (fruit & nut)

Dry Application: Dry Application: – great interest; still in early stagesgreat interest; still in early stages– Mississippi State Univ. working to measure application Mississippi State Univ. working to measure application

raterate

Current Research for rapid, real-time imaging and Current Research for rapid, real-time imaging and conversion to prescriptionconversion to prescription– Map in one pass, Spray in second passMap in one pass, Spray in second pass

For more information contact:For more information contact:Kristin Edwards, VP SalesKristin Edwards, VP Sales

airmail@airtractor.comwww.airtractor.comwww.airtractor.com

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