Precision Agriculture in Forages

Jeff Gaither

Introduction

• Precision Ag is an agricultural concept relying on the existence of in-field variability. (Wikipedia)

• A forage crop is a seeded crop, often introduced and managed using agronomic principles

Management Needs

• Use

• Crop

• Weeds

• Insects

• Nutrients

Use

• Primarily used as a feedstock, can be used as wildlife habitat or erosion control.

• Different crop uses require different management needs.

example: corn grown for silage.

Wheat grown for hay.

Type of Crop

• Different types of crops need different management decisions.

example: No need to apply nitrogen to alfalfa.

Weeds

• Weeds in forage crops are not usually not a big deal, however, some need to be controlled. Many weeds have value as a forage.

example: Sericea Lespedeza, older plants are less palatable and produce tannins that do not taste good. Annual 3-awn can cause throat problems in cattle.

Insects

• Just as in row crops insects can become a problem depending on crop.

example: Blister beetles in alfalfa.

Nutrients

• Forages, just like row crops, need nutrients. Forages, however, are sometimes not economically feasible to treat.

Weeds

• Weeds may need to be managed.

• Site specific management can be used if weeds are grouped in a “bunch”. Site specific management reduces cost of spraying.

Weed Seeker

• Spot Spray– Row crop forages

• Merrilong Pastoral Company– 16% weed coverage/paddock– Large savings per year (row crop situation such as

wheat)

Crop Optics Spray Rig

Insects

• Mapping– Locating and marking of ‘hot spots’.– Spot treatment – Remote sensing of potential areas that might

attract insects.• High organic matter• High moisture

Nutrients

• Most forage crops are not economically feasible to treat.

• Some are.

• Hay production is becoming more profitable due to regional droughts.

• 2 years ago-round bale of low quality hay sold for $60-90.

Nutrients

• Wheat• Corn for silage• Bermudagrass

• Green Seeker• Nitrogen Rich Strips and Ramps• Soil Testing

– Can increase yield at reduced input cost.

Green Seeker

Opinion

• I think that detailed management of forages will only be economical in a commercial setting.

Decisions

• Usually mixed communities– Are you encouraging cool season grasses,

warm season grasses, legumes, or mixture.

• Ultimately– What are you wanting?

                                          

   

Questions?

References

http://www.cropoptics.com.au/crop/cropoptics/testimonials.asp

http://nue.okstate.edu/Hand_Held/Hand_Held_Pictures.htm

http://nue.okstate.edu/Hand_Held/Hand_Held_Pictures.htm

http://images.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://vernon.tamu.edu/IRM/forages/CURRENT%2520PROGRAMS/Wheat/Breeding/wheat_1.jpg&imgrefurl=http://vernon.tamu.edu/IRM/forages/CURRENT%2520PROGRAMS/Wheat/Breeding/wheat_breeding.htm&h=1320&w=1020&sz=258&hl=en&start=9&tbnid=ZB0w7WJelpmhNM:&tbnh=150&tbnw=116&prev=/images%3Fq%3Dforage%2Bproduction%26gbv%3D2%26hl%3Den%26sa%3DG

http://www.soiltesting.okstate.edu/images/website/Benefits_hay.jpeg

http://www.illinoiswildflowers.info/grasses/photos/pr_3awn2.jpg

http://images.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://www.co.shawnee.ks.us/images/nwImages/targets/lespedeza1targ.jpg&imgrefurl=http://www.co.shawnee.ks.us/nw/lespedeza.shtm&h=973&w=563&sz=33&hl=en&start=2&um=1&tbnid=CDBrJo9sOvXXjM:&tbnh=149&tbnw=86&prev=/images%3Fq%3Dsericea%2Blespedeza%26um%3D1%26hl%3Den%26sa%3DN

http://www.oznet.ksu.edu/dp_hfrr/HortImage/bliste4.jpg