The Future of Precision Farming Richard Godwin Godwin, Precision Farming, Royal Academy of Engineering, INGENIA ISSUE 64, SEPTEMBER 2015
Managing variability with the aid of technology Sources of variability: Soil type and water Soil Nutrition Crop Pests, Diseases & Weeds
After: Moore (1995) Precision Farming cycle
Global positioning systems GPS became useable in 1991 with Real Time Kinematic accurate to 2-3 cm
Autosteer Reduces overlaps/under laps Permits operation in poor light conditions Negotiates headland turns Increases productivity Reduces operator fatigue Is relatively simple
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
Controlled traffic farming Tillage/Seeder Sprayer Harvester Chamen, CTF Europe
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
Automation and machine control Leader Follower tractors Fendt
Historic yield maps 1995 100%= Contour of Grand Mean 1996 1997 Supporting UK grain
Kristof et al. 2012 Soil uniformity
Managing spatial variability
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
NITROGEN BALANCE (kg/ha) Environmental benefits residual N Uniform application Spatially variable application 80 70 34% Reduction in residual nitrogen 60 40 20 0 46 25 27 28 13-20 -8-15 150 250 350 450 SEED-RATE (seeds/sq m) Godwin et al, 2003 & AHDB Cereals and Oilseeds
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
Weed control 20 row machine in celery Tillett and Hague Technology & Garford Engineering
Shielded band sprayer with Auto-steer Miller, NIAB TAG & Micron Sprayers
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
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
Water application rate control Linking irrigation scheduling to soil variability
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.
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