Precision Ag - Back to Basics · Precision Ag - Back to Basics Author: Mike Wilson Subject: 2016...
Transcript of Precision Ag - Back to Basics · Precision Ag - Back to Basics Author: Mike Wilson Subject: 2016...
Precision Ag “Back to Basics”
Nicole Rabe (Land Resource Specialist – OMAFRA)
Mike Wilson (CCA-ON, Advanced Agronomy Solutions Manager - Thompsons Limited)
What is Precision Agriculture
“a management system that is information and technology based, is site specific and uses one or more of the following sources of data: soils, crops, nutrients, pests, moisture, or yield, for optimum profitability, sustainability, and protection of the environment” Source: NRCS Support for Emerging Technologies (2003 & 2007) Technical Note
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Open Ag Data
Alliance (OADA)
Trends in Precision
Agriculture
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Why precision ag?
1. Your operation, your farm, your field goals…
• Cut your input investment with out sacrificing yield
• Increase yield by increasing crop inputs
• Invest in the soil with the “right” amount inputs 0
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Low Productivity Areas Medium ProductivityAreas
High Productivity Areas
Yield vs. Inputs
Current Yield Current Imput level Yield Goal Input Goal
Over application Wasting $$$ Environmental Impact
Under Application Loss of Yield
Farming with Average’s
Technology will change our Future
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Low Productivity Areas Medium Productivity Areas High Productivity Areas
Yield vs. Inputs
Current Yield Current Imput level Yield Goal Input Goal
Very little Waste
Targeting Maximum Yield Potential
Today vs. Tomorrow
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Low Productivity Areas Medium Productivity Areas High Productivity Areas
Current Yield & Inputs vs. Yield Goal & Inputs Required.
Current Yield Current Imput level Yield Goal Input Goal
Why Precision Ag (con’td…)Blooms
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2. Environmental goals
3. Social license to farm at risk??????
- Perception or fact?
- How will ag sector respond to more scrutiny on nutrient management by public?
Agricultural land represents about 70% of the Lake Erie watershed in Ontario.
Urban areas (5%) , wetlands (10%) and natural areas (15%) make up the remaining .
Source: AAFC
Mid 1990s blooms begin
to appear again since
1970s
2011 worst algal bloom in
Lake Erie history
2014 harmful bloom, impacts
drinking water supply Toledo & Pelee Island
Western Lake Erie basic most severe bloom
in recent years
Additional Commitments Involving Ontario
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• A Collaborative Agreement was signed by the Premier of Ontario and the Governors of Michigan and Ohio in June 2015.
• The agreement commits to a 40% phosphorus reduction target for Lake Erie’s Western Basin with the following timelines:
• 20% reduction by 2020; 40% reduction by 2025
Crop Sector Land Area (Million Acres)
Total 12.7
Field Crops 8.90
Hort Crops 0.20
Greenhouse 0.03
Pasture 1.60
Other 1.97
Agricultural land represents about 70% of the Lake Erie watershed in Ontario.
Up to $25,000 in cost-share
funding available
Precision Applications:
• Crop Nutrient Plans • Soil and manure testing, mapping,
zones
• 5 year plan of conservative fertilizer use
• Tillage and Equipment Modifications
• Tire deflation systems
• Planter modifications for fertilizer placement
http://www.ontariosoilcrop.org/oscia-programs/glasi/
Where and How do we start Precision Ag Approach?
Hydrologic Slope
Value High : 1.0 peak or ridge, dry
Low : 0.0 stream channel or pit (wet)
Yield Elevation
Soil
Sept 4, 2013 Soybeans
Remote Sensing
Zone Based Field Management allows us to achieve these goals!
We can reduce cost in specific areas with out harming yield
We can build other areas back up to acceptable levels to increase yield, or
to have a soil reserve there when we need it.
We can apply product only where needed to reduce input costs
We can apply different products in different areas to maximize the potential of each product and our input investment.
This process Matches the 4R’s approach perfectly. Sustainably and Profitably
Case Study: Zone Management & Profitability Chatham-Kent
PA Step 1: Collect Data (The key to our
future success)
Couple years of yield data +
Elevation data off guidance system or a D.S.M. from a UAV flight
+ Soil sampling
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PA Step 2: Integrate Data to make management zones
Yield + Elevation + Soil Sampling
Integrated Analysis
Management Zones
Evolutionary Build…
PA Step 3: Grower knowledge
Management Zone Map
Review with your agronomist
Crop Input Recommendations
Prescription Map for Product Application
Revisions
Review with Your Agronomist. • Review the Zones created from your data to determine their validity.
Grower knowledge is crucial to success especially in the early stages.
• Review Operations goals and discuss how to properly implement an input
strategy. • Determine Crop Yield goals to accurately recommend nutrient rates
• Determine which Fertilizer Recommendation Strategy is to be used (Sufficiency approach or the Build and Maintenance method)
VR Application allows us to do both in a field at the same time! • Discuss all other nutrient sources that are planed to be applied to the field
this season and adjust our application rates accordingly. • Work through application method and timing to be compliant with a 4R
strategy. • Review Cost of application to ensure you are on track with Cost of
production calculations and profitability goals
Building a Crop Input Recommendation We must matches the goals of the Operation!
Phosphorus Example: Removal of 200 bu corn: 200 x .41 lbs. = 82 lbs. P205
82 lbs. / .52 = 158 lbs./acre of MAP
We are saving where Phosphorous is high by applying 30 lbs of Map less than the removal requirement. We are building the Phosphorus Levels in the Low ground by applying 80#’s of extra Map. The Total recommendation is 10 lbs per acre of product less than the removal value.
Show MAP Difference map Straight Rate vs. Variable Rate Comparison
PA Step 4: Implement Rx Maps
Harvest Debrief & post-harvest analysis
Check as-applied maps
Validating Prescription Maps How do you know the prescription for crop inputs was correct?
• Implement checks in two ways:
• Strips
• Blocks
Dry fertilizer spreader @ 80ft wide passes = 3 passes with 20ft combine header
2015 Rx Map – Nitrogen – full length strips
Farm GIS Desktop software • Strips not pre-
programmed • Operator toggles to
full rate or none • Managing your own
data • Requires training • Analysis after harvest
more involved because each zone needs a yield result
2015 Rx Map – Nitrogen – small strips
Farm GIS Desktop software • pre-programmed VR-N
zones + checks • operator places checks
in map based on equipment size
• Semi-automated reporting after harvest
• requires investment in training
Small Blocks • Online system with secure
user account
• Less real estate in checks
• Less frontage for replicated trials required
• Pre-programmed into Rx map by client or done by your consultant
• Applied automatically on day of application
• Reporting automated at end of season post-harvest
Combination Approach • Some blocks
put together
• Trying to accommodate:
• equipment size
• zone configuration
• Acquiring enough yield points to be statistically relevant
Profitability: Does Not Come from Higher Yields Alone.
We must: Increase yield wherever we can Maximize our input dollars where we can not, And market our crop for as profitable of a price as
often as possible
Profitability: Yield Analysis
Profitability: Gross Profit Map
Profitability: Field Records (Straight Rate Info)
We must accurately track all Operations preformed on a field
• Tillage • Planting • Chemical Applications Herbicide
Fungicide Insecticide
• Fertilizer Application Fall or Spring Broadcast
Planter Starter Side Dress N (Early or Late)
The list continues!
• Agronomy Services Prescription Fee Scouting Imagery Yield Processing Profitability Mapping
• Harvest Costs
Combining
Trucking Drying Elevation
Profitability: As-Applied Data (Variable Rate Info)
28-0-0
Population
MAP
Potash
K-MAG
Profitability: Field Summary
-92 - -40
Variable Rate Straight Rate
Net Profit Comparison
$23.00/acre advantage to the Variable Rate Program
-92
Variable Rate Straight Rate
R.O.I. Comparison
5% Higher ROI using the Variable Rate Program
In Conclusion
“Profitability Does Not Come from Higher Yields Alone, True Profitability Comes when we Merge our Proven Agronomic
Practices with a Solid Marketing Plan”
“The Future of farming is not based on bushels per acre but
rather farming with dollars per acre and calculated return on investment numbers.”
“If we continue to farm based on our farm average, we will
continue to harvest average yields.”
“Start collecting today the data you will need to farm with tomorrow”