Uses of Precision Agriculture (Precision Management) on a Limited Production Situation. By. Galen Wilson

Precision n. The quality of being precise; exactness, accuracy, Etc. The term is some what relative to the application and the person using precision agriculture (precision management) it also has to deal with the economics of the situation that it is being used for. –A farmer’s definition of precision will be different than a cattle ranchers definition.

Field Based Management Ottawa County, OK 50 acres of improved Bermuda, and 20 acres of mixed clovers and native grasses, 10 acres of timber, and 40 acres of mixed Native/Bermuda pasture.

Precision Management Precision Management of these plots Include. –Annual soil testing –Rotational Grazing Practices –Weed control –Government supplements to support erosion control, and promote wildlife preservation and expansion (CRP’s, FIP’s, & WHIP)

Annual Soil Testing Annual soil samples are pulled from various areas throughout the northern plot which is the only plot that is monitored regularly because of gazing practices, for beef production. The soil samples are evaluated for the production that is expected to feed the cattle in the plot for a 180 day period, of a four plot rotation.

Nitrogen and Rotational Grazing The average annual rates that are needed to produce a ton of forage is 50 lbs. of N fertilizer Averaging the soil tests from 1960 to present the average applied rates are around 300 lbs. of N to produce around 5 tons of forage an acre which has been the field average as well. No phosphorus or potassium is needed at this time because of adequate amounts present in the soil.

Nitrogen Applications Nitrogen is applied by the Neosho Mo. CO-OP. They apply a dry granulated fertilizer in May and after rotations. –Total application needed at this time are 100 lbs. /acre and 50 lbs./acre after each rotation – (Prill Urea) will be applied to the field –The CO-OP uses a GPS True Track to prevent overlapping spreader applications

Rotational Grazing (north plot) In the four plot rotational grazing program there is a need to know how long and how many cattle can stay in one section of the field without overgrazing and damaging weight gain potential.

Rotational Grazing (north plot) The Rotation of the sections are variable due to rate of consumption of forage by cattle. –The initial height of the Bermuda must reach a height of 4 to 5 inches and can be grazed no lower than 2 inches to maintain vigor. –Stocking rate is based on the amount of usable forage that is present in the field through the time they are present.

Stocking Rates Stocking rates are based on the amount of forage that can be produced in a known area –The 50 acre plot is capable of producing tons of forage but is only being stocked at half the rate so as not to deplete soil nutrient and keep vigor high. –The calves need 9 lbs. per day for 180 days to produce 2 lbs. of gain per day for 130 calves which totals 110 tons needed

Weed Control The only plot that has any kind of weed control program in place is the southern 40 acres. The control program consists of: –Spot applications –Large area applications (only when trouble spots are seen).

Weed Control The reason for the weed control program on this plot is to control the noxious weeds. Musk Thistle Carduus nutans L. –Controlled with spot applications of Glyphosate products. (cost $5 to $10/acre) –On larger areas there is 2,4-D application made with a spray rig but only when the plants are in large numbers. (cost $4 to $8/acre) –Biological control has been attempted with mild control by the Head Weevil.

Government Supplements Forest Incentive Plan (FIP) The 10 acre plot of wooded timber is in a Forest Incentive Plan (FIP) this allows the land to stay out of production for a period of 10 years while it traps carbon from the atmosphere, and controls erosion at the same time, but must be maintained in order for it to stay in the program and collect yearly rent from the Government.

Government Supplements Forest Incentive Plan (FIP) Management to stay in FIP for 10 years –Brush control (fire, chemical, animal) –Thinning on a 2-5 year basis while picking most suitable logs for harvesting years from start of program. Benefits –Control erosion on highly erosive lands or high risk lands. –Yearly rent, per acre, paid to land owner for putting the land in to the program, ($23-$30) based on land type and acreage. –10 acres = $230.00

Government Supplements Crop Rotation Plan (CRP) This group encompasses many aspects of returning row cropped fields and grazed pastures back to native grasses, timber, wetlands conservation, erosion control and many other areas that can be a benefit to all. The Southern 40 acres are going in to a 10 year CRP plan to return this area to native vegetation and food plots for wild turkey and quail(Big Bluestem, Switch grass, Indian grass, and Native Legumes)but must be maintained for government Supplement payments.

Government Supplements Crop Rotation Plan (CRP) Management –One mowing in spring and one bailing in fall. –Controlled burns of wooded areas every two years. –Reseeding and over seeding of native vegetation along with food plot areas (no-till methods only). Advantages –Control erosion and bring wild game back to area. –Yearly rent paid to land owner $45 per acre to a maximum of 50 acres and minimum of 20 –Aesthetic values –40 acres = $1,800

Government Supplements CRP Riparian Buffer This is a program that is concerned with the control of erosion on stream and river banks associated with cattle movement and the natural erosion that is associated with undercutting of banks. There are 3 acres along the creek that have been accepted into this program because of this type of erosion, no more than 3 acres will be accepted into this plan.

Government Supplements CRP Riparian buffer Management –Trees must be planted and maintained –Fences must be built to keep livestock out of area. –Erosion buffer strips must be planted (Bermuda, biodegradable ripraps, Etc.) Advantages –Government will pay 3/4 of fencing and tree purchases needed –Control of stream bank erosion and sedimentation from surrounding slopes –Yearly rent paid to the land owner $90 per acre. –3 acres = $270

Government Supplement Wildlife Habitat Improvement Program (WHIP) This program is one that is concerned with the welfare of wildlife habitats and the increase of game populations, the program is supported by state and government organizations to preserve and stabilize the game populations for the future. The 17 acre plot near the creek is currently in this program.

Government Supplement (WHIP) Management –Must be seeded or over seeded with native. grasses and food crop for the wildlife. –Mowed once in the spring. Advantages –Government or local agency pays for 1/3 of the initial costs to put into plan –Increased wildlife numbers –Aesthetic value –Yearly rent paid to the land owner (bids) $35 per acre. –17 acres = $600

Money Made New Production Method Farm programs and cattle production –Government Programs around $3,000 –Cattle Production 130 calves with 2 lbs.. of gain per day for 180 days at $1 per lb.. It is $47,000 –Minus Fertilizer - $2,500 Parasite and Shots - $2,500 Total = $45,000 Old Production Method Cattle production only –120 acres with 200 (600 lb.) calves with 1 lb. of gain per day for 180 days at $1 per lb. = $36,000 –(poultry litter was added every 2nd year at no cost to land owner) –Minus Fertilizer - $2,500 Parasite and Shots - $2,500 Total = $31,000

Thank You!