Precision Agriculture & GPS

Ag Science
Fall 2000
Original Power Point Created by Mike White
Modified by Georgia Agricultural Education Curriculum Office
June 2002

Introduction
Precision farming:
managing each crop production
input on a site specific basis.
Example inputs:
fertilizer --lime
pesticides -- seed

Objectives of Precision
Farming
Reduce waste
Increase profit
Maintain environment

Comparison
Pre-mechanization:
Farmers dealt with each seed & plant
Post-mechanization:
Farmers dealt with entire fields

Variable Rate Application

Applying different amounts
of input while going across
field

Variable Rate Technology

Tools and equipment that
allows for variable rate
application

Variability in the Field

Soil fertility
Moisture content
Soil texture
Topography
Pest population
pH

Fast changers:
nitrate level
moisture
content
pest population

Slow changers:
topography
texture
pH

Fertilizers
97% of corn acres applied
with N
~25% cash production costs
Consider environmental
impact

Pesticides
$7 billion spent annually
98% of corn & soybean acres
Environment is concern

Seed
1900 -- 1 farmer fed 8 people
1990 -- 1 farmer feeds >100 people
We can change plant population as
we plant

Components of Precision
Farming
Tillage - depth & residue
Planting - seed rate & depth
Spraying - certain area
Crop scouting - problem area
Harvesting - yield monitor

Where on Earth are We?

Dead reckoning
Land-based positioning
Satellite-based positioning

Dead Reckoning
Uses starting point
Speed
Travel time
Number of passes to
determine location

Land-Based Positioning
Uses radio towers
Must have three towers

Satellite-Based Positioning
AKA
Global Positioning System
GPS for short

GPS
Constellation of satellites
Developed by Department of
Defense
Used 24 hrs./day anywhere
on Earth

Uses
Military
Industrial
Commercial
Civilian

Segments of GPS
Space
User
Control

Space
24 satellites
12,000 miles above Earth
Orbit twice daily
Always have at least 4
satellites in view

 In view = above horizon

Each satellite sends & receives radio
signals
Radio signals travel ~183,000 miles per
second
Satellites equipped with atomic clock for
accuracy

User Segment
GPS Units & Receivers
Free of charge usage of
signals

Control Segment
Track & monitor satellites
Master Control Station - AFB
in Colorado Springs