Precision Agriculture

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As with any successful scientific endeavor, a lovely precision agriculture system requires correct knowledge. A lovely place to start is usually by generating soil composition & yield maps of the blocks you require to analyze. These maps represent the giant numbers of samples that will be the basic input for geospatial statistical analysis application that will produce recommendations for different processes such as fertilization, sowing density, & pest/disease control.

agriculture definition

Soil composition & yield maps

The issue with these types of maps is that they can be impossible to build correctly. A cumulative set of errors coming from lots of different elements such as GPS method accuracy limitations, usage of multiple harvesting machines on the same fields (Multiple yield monitors), & time delays on knowledge capture due to hardware capacity, can drive the margin of error exponentially even to the point of rendering it useless. This is why having a proper system for minimizing errors in the work of knowledge capture, & where the posterior filtering of suspiciously out of place knowledge (Outliers) become crucial activities.

Variable rate applications

One time you have decided which approach suits your current situation better, modern geospatial statistical analysis application tools will offer a myriad of mathematical methods for determining an optimal application pattern that takes in to account the specific circumstances of each individual site. This application patterns will then be transferred to an on-board computer that can automatically control application rates of the tools attached to the tractors (Planters, sprayers, etc.) based on the GPS position of the vehicle. Here again ensuring the minimization of errors in knowledge, such as ensuring an correct GPS position, can have a massive effect on the final results of the exercise.

agriculture definition

Currently there's major schools of thought behind variable rate applications & potentially even precision agriculture in general; on side they have those who require to increase the fields to further heights than had been historicallyin the past feasible with traditional methods. Their rationale lies behind the fact that since we are not using optimal agricultural methods for each specific site, then the maximum potential of fields has not been reached & massive benefits can be achieved by trying to maximize production. On the other side of the fence they have specialists who think that due to the fact that an very high level of production has already been reached on most crops, feasible gains in production due to site specific management of fields are marginal & not worth pursuing. The focus of these specialists in lieu is centered in cost-cutting by reducing waste & over application of agricultural supplies (Seeds, fertilizers, pesticides, etc.). What I have noticed is that actual precision agriculture savvy farmers in lots of cases have a position that sits halfway between both camps, & thus treat each field as a unique case that needs to be treated individually to choose the best approach.



agriculture definition