The Future of Precision Farming Richard Godwin

Transcription

1 The Future of Precision Farming Richard Godwin Godwin, Precision Farming, Royal Academy of Engineering, INGENIA ISSUE 64, SEPTEMBER 2015

2 Managing variability with the aid of technology Sources of variability: Soil type and water Soil Nutrition Crop Pests, Diseases & Weeds

3 After: Moore (1995) Precision Farming cycle

4 Global positioning systems GPS became useable in 1991 with Real Time Kinematic accurate to 2-3 cm

5 Autosteer Reduces overlaps/under laps Permits operation in poor light conditions Negotiates headland turns Increases productivity Reduces operator fatigue Is relatively simple

6 Random traffic farming (RTF) Extensive areas of the field are exposed to trafficking Plough tillage = 85% covered Minimum Tillage = 65% covered Direct Drilling = circa 45% covered Wheat crop straw baling straw carting grain carting Kroulik et al, 2011

7 Controlled traffic farming Tillage/Seeder Sprayer Harvester Chamen, CTF Europe

8 Average yield benefit from CTF The average yield benefit from CTF compared with random traffic farming. Numbers in parenthesis indicate the number of studies reported. Chamen, 2011

9 Automation and machine control Leader Follower tractors Fendt

10 Historic yield maps %= Contour of Grand Mean Supporting UK grain

11 Kristof et al Soil uniformity

12 Managing spatial variability

13 2. Image processed into management zones according to canopy size Canopy Size Above-target On-target Below-target 1. Calibrated image canopy size 3. Management zones imported into Fieldstar Software and application rates assigned 5. Economic Benefit - 30/ha 4. Application plan implemented Godwin, Wood, Taylor, Knight, Welsh, Blackmore, Earl, 2003

14 NITROGEN BALANCE (kg/ha) Environmental benefits residual N Uniform application Spatially variable application % Reduction in residual nitrogen SEED-RATE (seeds/sq m) Godwin et al, 2003 & AHDB Cereals and Oilseeds

15 Weed control Reduced herbicide use Un -Treated Treated After: Dedousis et al (2007), O Dogherty et al (2007) and Tillett et al (2007), Garford Engineering

16 Weed control 20 row machine in celery Tillett and Hague Technology & Garford Engineering

17 Shielded band sprayer with Auto-steer Miller, NIAB TAG & Micron Sprayers

18 Crop, Raw Product and Inventory Management ExtendAg Ingredient Management RFID ExtendAg Delivery Reporting ExtendAg Raw Product Inventory and Load Sequencer ExtendAg Chemical Compliance ExtendAg Receiving Traceability Yard Inventory ExtendAg Financial RFID Plant Flumes Finished Goods Dump Lines RFID Bay 8 Bay 9 RFID 1 st Stage Processor Bin Inventory Bay 3 Re-manufacturer Bin Inventory Leese, 2007 and Gasparin et al, 2008

19 Semi automated sprayer filling Controlled applicator filling Avoidance of chemical loading errors Add prescribed amounts to within 1% Auto Record data Reduce total time for data transfer Food safety and environmental benefits Peets, Gasparin, Blackburn and Godwin, 2009

20 Water application rate control Linking irrigation scheduling to soil variability

21 Recommendations from the UK agricultural industry Feeding the Future, 2013, 1. Use modern technologies to improve the precision and efficiency of key agricultural management practices o Develop remote monitoring, control and application technologies to optimise input use efficiency,..., sustain product quality and safety, reduce the impact of machinery traffic on land... o Integrate and use the increasing volume of yield mapping & recording, and soil, crop and animal data, in order to develop better decision making tools... o Improve machine and instrument flexibility, interoperability, applicability... to promote delivery of the above. o Develop integrated strategic approaches to the use of nutrients and substrates to reduce environmental impact. 7. Extend training, professional development and communication channels of researchers, practitioners and advisors to promote delivery of the above.

22 Investing to capture the enthusiasm of youth I ve got the best job in the world! Poland: China: Greece: UK: Brazil UK: Spain 220 potential agricultural engineers attend Worldwide opportunities in engineering in agriculture 7 th November 2013 at Harper Adams