Precision Agriculture an Overview

What is Precision Agriculture? Treating small areas of a field as separate management units for the purpose of optimizing crop production based on in-field variability

Site Specific Management The application of an input to a specific area based on the evaluation of variability of the need for that input. Richardson, 1996. Recognition of site-specific differences within fields and tailoring management accordingly, instead of managing an entire field based on some hypothetical average. Emmert, 1995.

Definitions of Precision Agriculture Using information to better manage farms at the field level or finer resolution. Optimizing inputs to produce the largest net income. Combine yield monitors, GPS, Grid Soil Sampling.

What is Precision Farming? Management by the Field Management by the foot Global Positioning Systems Yield Monitors Sensor Based Weed Control Grid Sampling Variable Rate Fertilizer Application

Oklahoma State University’s Definition of Precision Agriculture Variable rate application of fertilizers, pesticides or other based on the sensed needs of the crop within the following constraints: Available Technology Agronomic Economic

Large Scale (Macro) Variability Within a Field

Small Scale (Micro) Variability Within a Field

Variability in Weed Populations

Variability in Grain Yield

Map Based - Precision Farming Management Computer Yield Map GIS - Precision Farming Software GPS Referenced Soil Samples Fertilizer Prescription GPS Constellations Aerial and Satellite Images Soils Maps, Elevation Maps, etc.

On-the- Go Sensing of Plant Needs and Variable Rate Treatment Spray Nozzle Direction of Travel Computer and Sensor Assembly Decision Making And Agronomic Strategy Plant