Aspects

<body topmargin=0 leftmargin=0 marginheight=0 marginwidth=0> <table cellpadding=0 cellspacing=0 border=0><tr> <td valign="top" height=90 BGCOLOR="#006699" TEXT="#080000" bgproperties="fixed" background="02c285a1erlcgo.gif"> <div> <FONT SIZE="5" COLOR="#FFCC66" FACE="Arial" ><B>FARMING SUCCESS</B></FONT><B>     |    </B><B> </B><A HREF="index.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="FARMING SUCCESS"><U><B>Home</B></U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="pa_research.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Precision Agriculture Research"><U>PA Research</U></A><FONT SIZE="1" COLOR="#FFFF99" FACE="Symbol" >   ·   </FONT><A HREF="success.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Way to Success"><U>Success</U></A><FONT SIZE="1" COLOR="#FFFF99" FACE="Symbol" >   ·   </FONT><A HREF="approach.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Strategic approach"><U>Approach</U></A><FONT SIZE="1" COLOR="#FFFF99" FACE="Symbol" >   ·   </FONT><A HREF="bestuursones.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Evaluering van die Verskillende Metodes "><U>Bestuursones</U></A><FONT SIZE="1" COLOR="#FFFF99" FACE="Symbol" >   ·   </FONT><A HREF="agronomies.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Agronomiese Integrering"><U>Agronomies</U></A><FONT SIZE="1" COLOR="#FFFF99" FACE="Symbol" >   ·   </FONT>Aspects<FONT SIZE="1" COLOR="#FFFF99" FACE="Symbol" >   ·   </FONT><A HREF="economic.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Economic Analysis"><U>Economic</U></A><FONT SIZE="1" COLOR="#FFFF99" FACE="Symbol" >   ·   </FONT><A HREF="user_s_view.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Users View"><U>User's View</U></A><FONT SIZE="1" COLOR="#FFFF99" FACE="Symbol" >   ·   </FONT><A HREF="equipment.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Equipment"><U>Equipment</U></A><FONT SIZE="1" COLOR="#FFFF99" FACE="Symbol" >   ·   </FONT><A HREF="skripsie.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Metodes om bestuursones te identifiseer"><U>Skripsie</U></A><FONT SIZE="1" COLOR="#FFFF99" FACE="Symbol" >   ·   </FONT><A HREF="organic_wine_grapes.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="The Financial Aspect of Growing Organic "><U>Organic wine grapes</U></A></div> <div> </div> </td> </tr><tr> <td valign="top" height=390 BGCOLOR="#FFFFFF" TEXT="#080000"> <div> <I> The Aspects of Precision Farming</I></div> <div> <IMG SRC="3e2580a0.jpg" border=0 width="600" height="10" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></div> <div> <TABLE BORDER="0" CELLPADDING="6" CELLSPACING="4" WIDTH="577" BORDERCOLORLIGHT="#C0C0C0" BORDERCOLORDARK="#808080" FRAME="BOX" RULES="ALL" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" > <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP HEIGHT= 391 WIDTH="557"><bR> <div>                               <B>Craig Lipawsky</B></div> <div> <IMG SRC="59ab5470.gif" border=0 width="181" height="71" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">                              Product Manager: Guidance & Monitoring Systems</div> <div>                               Astrata SA (Pty.) Ltd (Previously Optron)</div> <div>                               Tel : +27 (0)11 467 0400</div> <div>                               Fax: +27( 0)11 467 0467</div> <div>                               Mobile: +27 (0)82 652 0314</div> <div>                               e-mail: <A HREF="mailto: clipawsky@astratagroup.com" TARGET="_top" TITLE="mailto: clipawsky@astratagroup.com"><U>clipawsky@astratagroup.com</U></A></div> <div>                               web site: <A HREF="http://www.astratagroup.com" TARGET="_top" TITLE="http://www.astratagroup.com"><U>http://www.astratagroup.com</U></A></div> <bR> <bR> <div>      1. Process - identification of management zones.</div> <div>      2. Technology – the application of the process.</div> <bR> <div> <B>WHERE DOES PRECISION FARMING BEGIN?</B></div> <div> Historically most farmers practice some form of precision farming; be it crop rotation; letting fields laying fallow for a season; or excluding areas where crop yields have historically been bad. This is done in an effort to optimise yields and reduce input costs. </div> <div> One of the biggest issues with precision farming is the cost related to precision farming. Precision farming costs money to begin and maintain; these benefits are seen over a number of years (four years approximately) where higher yields will be achieved and input costs could reduce.</div> </tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP HEIGHT= 89 WIDTH="557"><div> Where does the farmer begin the precision farming cycle; there are numerous opinions and thesis about this issue, so lets look at it practically.</div> <div> <IMG BORDER="0" SRC="Symb075c00b700b400000000.gif" HEIGHT="12" WIDTH="24" ALIGN="bottom" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">Ground - soil classification.</div> <div> <IMG BORDER="0" SRC="Symb075c00b700b400000000.gif" HEIGHT="12" WIDTH="24" ALIGN="bottom" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">Yield monitoring.</div> <div> <IMG BORDER="0" SRC="Symb075c00b700b400000000.gif" HEIGHT="12" WIDTH="24" ALIGN="bottom" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">Variable rate applications.</div> <div> <IMG BORDER="0" SRC="Symb075c00b700b400000000.gif" HEIGHT="12" WIDTH="24" ALIGN="bottom" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">Software.</div> </tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP HEIGHT= 76 WIDTH="557"><div> These are the five categories we will use to put logical structure to the process. Given that one very important underlying factor; without position nothing in this process makes any sense. One of the base elements of precision farming is the Global Positioning System (GPS) and the acceptance by the agricultural industry of this technology. This is where the technology partners get involved and add the missing dimension. </div> </tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP HEIGHT= 15 WIDTH="557"><div> <B>1.     GROUND – SOIL CLASSIFICATION</B></div> </tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP HEIGHT= 60 WIDTH="557"><div> This is one of the more important phases of precision farming as it will determine the prescription of the way the ground should be handled. </div> <div> <IMG BORDER="0" SRC="Symb075c00b700b400000000.gif" HEIGHT="12" WIDTH="24" ALIGN="bottom" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">Exclude blocks from farming process due to quality of soil.</div> <div> <IMG BORDER="0" SRC="Symb075c00b700b400000000.gif" HEIGHT="12" WIDTH="24" ALIGN="bottom" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">Determine the chemical structure of the ground to be cultivated.</div> </tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP HEIGHT= 91 WIDTH="557"><div> The issue in this phase is the inherent cost associated as all the lands need to be grided and samples taken; some say 100×100 m grids other say 150×150 m for dry lands and 50×50 for irrigated lands. These are guide lines only and each area will have its own accepted norm; given that this cycle should be repeated every four years; dry land; a sampling programme to cover the farm over four years can be used to minimise the capital out lay (larger farms). Areas which show lower yields determined by your yield monitors may receive additional attention and corrective steps taken.  </div> </tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP HEIGHT= 45 WIDTH="557"><div> The process that is used here is that the field boundaries are normally mapped (DGPS) and then a grid established. The samplers should then navigate to each point using a GPS and take each sample and record the position. There are data loggers and field software available for this.</div> </tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP HEIGHT= 15 WIDTH="557"><div> <B>2.     YIELD MONITORING</B></div> </tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP HEIGHT= 76 WIDTH="557"><div> This is the most common place (trend) to start with technology as the farmer sees immediate “results” on his yield data. It is also a good measuring tool to monitor the yields year by year and to identify potential problem areas. The yield data is captured on the combine with correlating GPS coordinates and a yield map can be created using office software. These data sets can be compared year on year and monitoring of change can take place.</div> </tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP HEIGHT= 30 WIDTH="557"><div> Most major agricultural suppliers offer some form of yield monitors. Locally JD has GreenStar/Ag Leader; Case has AFS/Ag Leader; NH has Ag Leader; Claas has Ag Leader. </div> </tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP HEIGHT= 15 WIDTH="557"><div> <B>3.     VARIABLE RATE APPLICATIONS</B></div> </tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP HEIGHT= 91 WIDTH="557"><div> To optimise the plants use of fertilizer and to apply sufficient product in the correct place to optimise yield. This is achieved by using hydraulic motors with encoders to vary the products accordingly. The amount of products that can be varied is currently controlled by a Patent on multiple products; this expires early 2005 and more vendors will offer this solution. Some of the world leaders in the supply of variable controllers and hydraulic motors are Dicky-John; Raven; Mid-tech; Rawson; Flexi-coil; to name a few.</div> </tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP HEIGHT= 104 WIDTH="557"><div> The most optimal process is to vary more than one product however some farmers only vary one product; on Flexi-coil we vary fertiliser only on wheat and keep the seeding rate constant. Where as with Maize we vary two products normally and three is becoming the norm.</div> <div> <IMG BORDER="0" SRC="Symb075c00b700b400000000.gif" HEIGHT="12" WIDTH="24" ALIGN="bottom" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">Spreading of fertilizer as per prescription maps.</div> <div> <IMG BORDER="0" SRC="Symb075c00b700b400000000.gif" HEIGHT="12" WIDTH="24" ALIGN="bottom" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">Application of Fertilizer with planting.</div> <div> <IMG BORDER="0" SRC="Symb075c00b700b400000000.gif" HEIGHT="12" WIDTH="24" ALIGN="bottom" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">Planting; seeding variable rate seeding.</div> <div> <IMG BORDER="0" SRC="Symb075c00b700b400000000.gif" HEIGHT="12" WIDTH="24" ALIGN="bottom" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">Spraying – controlling of speed and applying the correct rate in the correct places.</div> </tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP HEIGHT= 15 WIDTH="557"><div> <B>4.     SOFTWARE</B></div> </tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP HEIGHT= 103 ><NOBR><div> A number of data sets are used and created in the precision farming process, they are:</div> <div> <IMG BORDER="0" SRC="Symb075c00b700b400000000.gif" HEIGHT="12" WIDTH="24" ALIGN="bottom" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">Satellite images.</div> <div> <IMG BORDER="0" SRC="Symb075c00b700b400000000.gif" HEIGHT="12" WIDTH="24" ALIGN="bottom" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">Farm boundaries.</div> <div> <IMG BORDER="0" SRC="Symb075c00b700b400000000.gif" HEIGHT="12" WIDTH="24" ALIGN="bottom" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">Soil maps.</div> <div> <IMG BORDER="0" SRC="Symb075c00b700b400000000.gif" HEIGHT="12" WIDTH="24" ALIGN="bottom" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">Yield maps.</div> <div> <IMG BORDER="0" SRC="Symb075c00b700b400000000.gif" HEIGHT="12" WIDTH="24" ALIGN="bottom" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">Prescription maps.</div> <div> <IMG BORDER="0" SRC="Symb075c00b700b400000000.gif" HEIGHT="12" WIDTH="24" ALIGN="bottom" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">Application maps.</div> </NOBR></tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP HEIGHT= 30 WIDTH="557"><div> The software used is GIS based and as such is capable of handling multiple data sets and manipulating such.</div> </tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP HEIGHT= 76 WIDTH="557"><div> There is an acceptance of this technology to offer a service to the farmers we are seeing agronomists; soil scientists; fertiliser consultants and Farm management companies moving into this arena to offer a service to their customers and to monitor their Yields and performance of products. Software products used here are SMS Basic; SMS Advanced; AgGPS EZ-Map; SST Toolbox and general surveying software.</div> </tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP HEIGHT= 15 WIDTH="557"><div> <B>5.     GUIDANCE</B></div> </tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP HEIGHT= 76 WIDTH="557"><div> <B>Guidance </B>– with the advent of larger implements and tractors a major issue with field preparation is the over working of the area; a norm in the market is 10% seen in ripping; but this is a factor of operator skills and some figures seen in the field are more in the rate of 30–40% (disks and spraying). Taking the cost of running and wear and tear of articulated tractor and apply these cost and you will see how guidance pays for it self. </div> </tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP HEIGHT= 44 ><NOBR><div> <B>Manual guidance – GPS based</B></div> <div> <IMG BORDER="0" SRC="Symb075c00b700b400000000.gif" HEIGHT="12" WIDTH="24" ALIGN="bottom" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">Light Bars.</div> <div> <IMG BORDER="0" SRC="Symb075c00b700b400000000.gif" HEIGHT="12" WIDTH="24" ALIGN="bottom" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">There are a number of systems in this market sector Trimble; John Deer; Outback; Mid-tech; Raven</div> </NOBR></tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP HEIGHT= 89 WIDTH="557"><div> <B>Auto Steer – GPS Based</B></div> <div> <IMG BORDER="0" SRC="Symb075c00b700b400000000.gif" HEIGHT="12" WIDTH="24" ALIGN="bottom" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">DGPS – Omnistar; Beacon; GreenStar.</div> <div> <IMG BORDER="0" SRC="Symb075c00b700b400000000.gif" HEIGHT="12" WIDTH="24" ALIGN="bottom" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">Ominstar HP; Starfire.</div> <div> <IMG BORDER="0" SRC="Symb075c00b700b400000000.gif" HEIGHT="12" WIDTH="24" ALIGN="bottom" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">RTK (Repeatability). </div> <div> The systems currently available are Trimble Auto Pilot (Platform independent; offer all three options) John Deer AutoTrax (Float solution) Cat-BeeLine (Omnistar HP).</div> </tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP HEIGHT= 74 WIDTH="557"><div> <B>Land Levelling</B></div> <div> <IMG BORDER="0" SRC="Symb075c00b700b400000000.gif" HEIGHT="12" WIDTH="24" ALIGN="bottom" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">Laser based</div> <div> <IMG BORDER="0" SRC="Symb075c00b700b400000000.gif" HEIGHT="12" WIDTH="24" ALIGN="bottom" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">RTK</div> <div> One of the processes; normally pivots and flood irrigation; is to optimise water retention and drainage. Only Trimble offer these products.</div> </tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP HEIGHT= 18 WIDTH="557"><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="1x1.gif" HEIGHT="18" ALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="557" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></tD> </tR> </TABLE></div> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> </td> </tr></table></body>