Category Archives: Precision Agriculture

Agronomy, Precision Agriculture, Projects

Managing weeds without chemicals

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As published in Grower July 2011

Dan Bloomer and James Powrie – LandWISE Inc.

“I plant with precision, so that I can mechanically weed with confidence, and quickly too,” says John Evans.

Farming 271 ha at Dorie in mid Canterbury, John’s crops are largely grown for seed. The mix includes red beet and radish, mustards, carrots, linseed, spinach, cabbage, process peas, ryegrass and wheat.

John’s tractor is fitted with RTK-GPS and steers itself along the rows.  His implements have their own GPS receiver, which combined with a modified forklift side shifter, controls their position to within 2 cm. This ensures all his field operations are very precise.

High precision planting sets the crop up perfectly for mechanical weeding. This provides chemical free weed treatment and saves money too.

On John’s farm, chemical options are limited for some crop types with crop regeneration and field pansy unable to be treated. “Also herbicide resistance is reducing the efficacy of remaining options,” he says.  The weeds that affect many of the crops John grows are very closely related to the crop and extremely difficult to control with herbicides. Push hoeing isn’t seen as a desirable management option!  With the precision he now has at his disposal he can cover the ground very quickly.  The job he does is arguably better than push hoe quality.

“In Europe they have fewer and fewer chemical options available.  This happens as chemicals are banned or companies elect not to invest in re registering them.  The same thing is happening in NZ,” John says.  Precision mechanical weeding technology is leaping ahead in Europe.

John’s visits opened his eyes to the new technology and how it can be applied.  He imported a tine weeder, having seen it being used.  It bolts onto his existing Konskilde inter row cultivator and gives a far higher level of control with minimal crop damage.

Mechanical weeding only dropped out of favour with the development of herbicide options over the last 50 years. GPS has allowed it to be used again, getting the benefits without the downsides.

Cost savings relating to GPS are difficult to quantify, however John says that if he had to purchase GPS and start again tomorrow he definitely would.  He can work longer and work rate increases, yet he has less fatigue and feels better at the end of a shift.  This lets him achieve extra work after driving too.

See the LandWISE website for information and events  www.landwise.org.nz  Contact us and let us put you in touch with farmers who are making changes, or for relevant information on sustainable cropping through technology.  Thanks to Foundation for Arable Research for their research assistance on this farm.

Agronomy, Controlled Traffic Systems, Drainage, Irrigation, Precision Agriculture, Projects, Water

LandWISE 2011 Conference on farmer’s successes with technology

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As published in Grower June 2011

Dan Bloomer and James Powrie – LandWISE Inc.

“Agriculture is the business to be in,” Hew Dalrymple told 115 delegates at the 9th LandWISE conference in Havelock North. Hew painted an exciting picture of high global demand for food and outlined some of the technologies he is adopting to be a better producer.

Chinese food consumption growth and diminishing area of agricultural land (8.33 million ha lost in the last 12 years) are just two drivers he presented.  Hew quoted David Stroud, chief executive officer of New York-based hedge fund TS Capital Partners: “China’s increased demand for agricultural commodities will mean an increase in prices for the entire world market. China can outlast any other bidders for the commodities it desires.”

One example: China, the world’s biggest grain producer, was a net exporter of soybeans until 1995.  This year, it’s forecast to import 57 million tons, or almost 60 percent of global trade in the oilseed used in animal-feed and tofu. Hew says this is setting the scene for NZ farmers to gain from exports.

Four AGMARDT sponsored experts from Australia addressed the conference. Professor David Lamb showed Precision Ag has moved steadily forward in Australia. He spoke on precision pastures and livestock, and the ways researchers are interpreting tracked animal behaviour to better manage farm systems.

David also described recent work with plane mounted crop sensors, capturing crop information from 150 feet, and how smart engineering is trying to use on board sensors to adjust aerial application rates in real time.

“Just because you can, doesn’t mean you should!” Steven Raine, Professor of Irrigation from Southern Queensland, opened the irrigation and drainage session with a review of precision irrigation. He pointed out that you can precisely apply irrigation to a whole paddock as one block. He challenged farmers to look at real returns from investment, rather than adding to a stable of toys.

Steven showed how really smart irrigation systems not only manage application, but measure, monitor and determine needs automatically with little input from farmers. This needs a high level of knowledge of soils, weather and crops, computer modelling and process controls. But your system must be working correctly in the first place, before expensive smart technologies will add value.

The how-to of successful Precision Agriculture was covered by Tim Neale and Andrew Whitlock from Australia.  They covered farm software, precision drainage design and controlled traffic farming with Australian examples and comments on NZ practices as they had seen in their travels prior to conference.  They were impressed by the New Zealand farmers they met. “We don’t know anyone in the world who has gone as far as you, with precision ag in potatoes and onions,” they told AS Wilcox delegates.

Simon Wilcox spoke about their experience starting with the LandWISE Controlled Traffic trial at Pukekawa.  GPS guidance has given them savings from the paddock to logistics, and in the processing plant, with better structured soil staying in the paddock instead of riding in the truck to the factory. “The washing plant loves it,” said Simon.

Emma McCracken described how she and husband Peter have paced their investment in technology at Wai-Iti Fresh in Canterbury.  They are new adopters, with RTK-GPS, new irrigation types and other technology being adopted in the past two years.  Emma described their plans to build on this base, and use such tools to address their challenges with soil quality, water use, drainage and crop yield.

Sjaak Wolfert leads a European Union research program to enhance the use of on farm data. Based at Wageningen in Holland, he described the challenges of data compatibility between brands.  The same difficulties we find in New Zealand are faced globally by farmers. Sjaak invited aligned efforts and assistance from LandWISE in spelling out farmers’ requirements of the technology industry.

Massey University has formed a joint Centre for Precision Agriculture with Lincoln University. Professor Ian Yule outlined where this fits with the advancement of Precision Agriculture in New Zealand. He spoke about paths to managing your farm at the highest practical resolution. Using sensors and fertiliser as examples, he explained the goals and difficulties of managing variability in time and space as crops develop.

Plant and Food research Scientists Bruce Searle and Steven Trolove brought zonal management of nutrients into perspective, relating soil measurements to crop wants, and translating complex nutrient mapping into farmer application decisions.

It was exciting to see how success with technology is becoming the norm across a range of sectors and to hear farmer’s plans for more.

And it’s not just for the big farms. Brothers Travis and Nigel, and father Gordon Sue, grow fresh vegetables on 70 ha of land in Levin. Travis explained the successes his family has had with auto-steer precision; cutting costs and making better use of their land.  He explained how they plan to make their site more productive by managing traffic better. “We should have had it [RTK-GPS] years ago,” says Gordon.

The conference was generously supported with the platinum sponsor being CASE IH NZ Ltd.  AGMARDT provided funding for Professors Steven Raine and David Lamb and Andrew Whitlock and Tim Neale to present at the conference also. For more detail on the conference and coming LandWISE events visit our website www.landwise.org.nz

Agronomy, Controlled Traffic Systems, Precision Agriculture, Projects, Tillage

Take More Care of Soil at Harvest

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As printed in Grower February 2011

James Powrie and Dan Bloomer LandWISE Inc.

In November LandWISE, FAR and Horticulture NZ held combined field visits to 7 cropping farms.  Visual soil assessments were performed at a range of sites and discussions held about what was seen.

Each farm is experiencing common challenges with soil quality.  All of the farmers visited want more soil quality because of what it means for the future of their operation…and almost all are getting less.  When we say less… digging soil from under a fence shows where the soil has come from, or its natural state.  When this is compared to the cropped soil, there is always a difference.  Often compaction damage is seen as big hard lumps with plant roots growing around their edges. Virtual rocks.

Farmers wanting to move their soil back toward this state have a range of options.
Reduce the use of powered implements –  Powered implements use PTO power to turn a tool at speed.  Soil structure is shattered at point of impact, rather than a natural line, worms and other life are destroyed and the natural flow pathways and porosity are interrupted. Depending on severity, full destruction of soil structure can result.  Often the progressively damaged structure requires increasing use of powered implements to create tilth.

Reduced traffic – Any practical mechanised system involves field traffic and compaction of soil, usually by wheels. Wheels cause soil damage, but this can be limited to a small proportion of field area by restricting all heavy wheels to permanent traffic lanes. Adoption in NZ and other countries has demonstrated the effectiveness and practicability of Controlled Traffic Farming (CTF) systems in very different cropping environments.  Less trafficking means less remedial tillage is required to remove compaction and this can mean fuel savings and fewer operations.

Comparisons between CTF and conventional “random traffic” cropping systems in NZ are also showing improvements in soil quality, crop performance, time savings and a range of other gains.  Data from extensive grain production systems in Australia indicate that CTF could provide a major reduction in cropping emissions and massive improvements in hydrology.  CTF can improve productivity, and all measures of sustainability; it also overcomes some important constraints to the adoption of conservation agriculture.

As precise guidance becomes progressively cheaper, machine system width compatibility remains the only real barrier to a significant improvement in food security and the environmental footprint of cropping.  Imagined barriers can include tradition, stubbornness or resistance to change.

If soil is recognised as a primary asset on the farm and improvement a goal, then the cost is justified as an investment in the future.  It may be easier to make changes than you expect.  Some changes can create immediate improvements and savings.  With the urgency of better soil care becoming clear, be sure its not rocks in your head causing the rocks in your paddocks.

For more information on how farmers in NZ are making these changes and support with yours, talk to James Powrie (LandWISE) or Dan Bloomer.. Funding for this work has come from the Sustainable Farming Fund ‘Advanced Farming Systems’ and ‘Holding it Together’ programs.

Controlled Traffic Systems, Precision Agriculture, Soil, Uncategorized, Water

Water, oil and phosphate

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As published in March 2011 Grower

Dan Bloomer, LandWISE

Farmers are under constant pressure from the community. You hear and see it in the media everyday. “Cut food prices!” “Stop sucking our rivers dry!” “Produce more food!”
We hear of fully allocated water, peak oil, peak phosphate, and rising populations with higher and higher expectations (no observable peak there yet). So what can anyone do?

The last few generations have seen massive increases in agricultural productivity. Often attributed to increased fertiliser, chemical sprays and irrigation, it is often portrayed as negative.  But increased productivity is also the result of increased efficiency and learning compounding on learning. Efficient farmers produce more crop per hectare, more crop per litre of water, per litre of oil, per kilogram of phosphate. So they eke out those finite resources to give more people better nutrition.

Water, oil and phosphate are finite resources. Being more efficient doesn’t make any more. But it gives time to come up with the next great plan. And that’s what we must do with urgency.
Let’s think for a minute about those three farm inputs.
In the case of oil (energy), we ultimately need substitutes. Alternative energy options that may suit cities are not practical on farm. So agriculture is seen as a high priority area for remaining oil supplies (after the military).
Our immediate task is to increase efficiency until viable agricultural energy alternatives are developed. In the medium term, bio-fuel economics will give “Grow your own” new meaning. But more paddocks set aside for tractor feed means less for human feed. Even in the long term, energy efficiency must be a very high priority.
For crop production, the major efficiency gains farmers can have right now come from reduced cultivation. Avoid compaction, cultivate less, improve soil and require less cultivation. A positive spiral up the slippery slope.

Phosphate and water don’t have substitutes. Efficient use and recycling are essential.
Phosphate is lost in eroding soil and in our farm effluent and urban waste streams. It goes to sea. It takes millennia to return to land in mineable quantities, if we don’t remove the fish stocks in the meantime.

The Taupo urban treatment system applies waste to soil and produces stock feed, so the nutrients are rapidly returned to the agricultural system. We need the rest of the country (world) to follow suit. On farm, we need to minimise phosphate use and avoid excess soil levels. And we need to stop soil erosion and loss of effluent.  Water largely recycles itself and New Zealand has a very fortunate short cycling period. We do need to capture rainfall (free irrigation) and retain water in the landscape. That means strategic use of water storage including farm and community dams. On farm, it also means keeping soils in top condition to allow infiltration and store as much water as possible, and still ensure suitable drainage.
Our other main duty is looking after water quality, keeping nutrients levels suitable for stable ecosystems. We need to keep farm nutrients on the farm for growth. The cost of external nutrients is increasing. Soil is a resource we must retain. So there are multiple drivers for keeping soil and nutrients away from waterways.
Soil is the linking theme throughout this article. Too often we draw down on this natural capital for short term gain. It is the base farm resource and biggest capital investment. It is central to all we do and deserves as much care, repair and maintenance as any asset.

Controlled Traffic Systems, Precision Agriculture, Projects, Soil

The Dirt on Controlled Traffic Potatoes

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As printed in December Grower

James Powrie and Dan Bloomer LandWISE Inc.

Four tonnes less soil is going to the packhouse from each hectare of potatoes. It’s a result pleasing the team at A S Wilcox in Pukekohe.

Over the past two years A S Wilcox has been working on a controlled traffic system for potatoes and onions.  Helped by high accuracy GPS guidance, they want to improve soil quality and reduce cultivation costs by keeping field traffic to planned tracks.  They have seen beneficial changes in soil condition since reducing compaction and cultivation. They are now capturing the benefits through 45% less soil being transported to the packhouse. They have reduced transport costs, reduced washing plant time and energy and have much less waste soil at the packhouse.

Potatoes from the conventionally cultivated area carried nearly twice the dirt to the packhouse as those from the controlled traffic rows.

The Wilcox team extended the axle on the harvester so it could run in the traffic row. It means less compaction in the paddock and less time and fuel used for remedial cultivation.

Reducing soil on harvested crop was a major reason to pursue controlled traffic, particularly in Pukekawa where harvest operations are often difficult. “The clay soil has amazing stickability,” says Simon Wilcox. “It gums up the harvesters, slows down operations, and then after trucking it to the packhouse, we have to take it away again.”

To monitor savings, twelve tonne lots of potatoes were harvested from each of the controlled traffic and conventional cultivation areas and tracked through the packhouse.  The washing plant crew reported big efficiency gains, with potatoes from the conventional area often needing a double wash, against the controlled traffic area needing only one.

When the trial was harvested, weather and soil conditions were dry.  “We needed rain to see the full effect of controlled traffic on harvest conditions,” Simon Wilcox said.  “For once the rain never came! But we saw enough to know that controlling traffic is a good thing for our business, from paddock to packhouse”.

In addition to the harvest cost savings and soil improvements, the Wilcox team estimates they halved fuel use through controlling traffic. Convinced of the benefits, they have increased their controlled traffic area to 44 ha this year.  “It’s about making things better today and for the future,” says Simon.

The trial at A S Wilcox is part of the LandWISE ‘Advanced Farming Systems’ project run in conjunction with the Foundation for Arable Research.  It has close links to ‘Holding it Together’, a project with Horticulture New Zealand.  For more details, contact James Powrie (LandWISE) or Paul Johnstone (Plant and Food Research).

Controlled Traffic Systems, Precision Agriculture, Projects, Soil, Tillage

Rocks we make in our soil – field sessions on soil care and reducing costs

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Last week LandWISE completed a national round of field discussions in conjunction with HortNZ and FAR. The round started at Lawson’s Organic Farms in Hastings and finished at Peter and Emma McCracken’s farm at Rangiora where they grow onions, cauliflower, pumpkins, lucerne and maize.

Discussions were focused on soil care and cost reductions with reference to managing traffic and cultivation options. Over 100 farmers participated in the sessions from Pukekohe to Canterbury and looking at systems ranging from potatoes and onions, to maize, market gardens, and arable crops.

Visual Soil Assessment was used to observe cropped soils and then to compare them with uncultivated soil from under the nearest fenceline. It is always sobering to see the effects of cropping, particularly when it is continuous. Farmers were able to see the difference between dusty, compacted, platy or grey cropped soils vs the same soil type in its darker, porous, nutty, native state from nearby.

In some instances compaction from traffic and cultivation pans is creating virtual ‘rocks’ in the soil, these are so dense they don’t allow for storage of water or exploration by roots. In each case, after looking at soils, discussions turned to managing traffic and reducing powered tillage and how changes in practises are improving soil condition and farm profitability around the world.

The visits were supplemented with the expertise of a Nuffield scholar, James Peck from PX Farms in Cambridgeshire, and Dr Bruce Ball, a visiting soil scientist from Scotland. Bruce has practised and encouraged reduced cultivation and better traffic management since the 1980s, because it is a solution to many of today’s cropping challenges. As he concludes his Nuffield tour, James commented that he is seeing improved management of traffic create dramatic soil improvements and cost savings at all scales, in Europe and Australasia.

It has been said that farmers make their money with the top 6 inches…. of their head. It is interesting that many innovative farmers reflect on changes they have made and note that many perceived barriers turned out to be imaginary – rocks in their heads….

As new technology offers the chance to take better care of soil, it’s a good time to check for ‘rocks’ in our soil, and in our heads…, and then to explore new and proven options for better care of cropping soils.

Talk to LandWISE if you would like to discuss your options or have us help you meet a farmer who has overcome similar challenges to yours.  Someone surely has.

Contact James for more information on 06 6504531 – 0272 757757 – james@landwise.org.nz

Controlled Traffic Systems, Precision Agriculture, Projects

GPS guidance and the smaller grower

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As published in Grower November 2010

“We’re not buying GPS, it’s a — waste of money” said Gordon Sue to his sons Nigel and Travis on their family farm in Levin last year.  After the debate, they put their first high accuracy GPS and auto steering into one of their tractors.   It is paying off with better use of time, money and land.

Agreeing to buy the GPS was a challenge, but the fast payback and gains in efficiency have them all convinced.  Their vegetable crops look neat and even.  Using the same lines each year, they can decide how many rows of each crop to plant and set the GPS accordingly.  This saves time, and removes the need to repeatedly measure to make things fit.    “Everything is planted parallel and correctly spaced, and that means more rows, and more crop in the ground,” says Travis.

The straight rows from GPS look great from the road, but it is the cost savings as well as more effective use of land which make the investment a good one.    “With GPS we get things done in less time and with less labour and fuel.  We will buy another unit ,” says Nigel.

The same lines are used for nearly all operations, and the soil is benefiting from less traffic.  This means that some of the fuel savings and soil improvements from controlled traffic farming (CTF) are being banked, even though this wasn’t planned.

CTF works because the GPS guided tractor follows the same wheel tracks accurately -pass to pass.  As a result, the wheels run on a better track, and less of the paddock ends up compacted.  Less fuel is required to cultivate a CTF field.  And plants grow better in the less compacted soils too.

GPS also guides the tractor for cultivation for weed control.  RTK GPS is accurate to within 2 centimetres which means that the 6 metre cultivator can be used with confidence.  The planted rows are dead straight and the GPS guides the tractor and implement accurately along the parallel rows, without damage to the crop.

Attempting to drive straight lines was once a tiring job, because of the concentration needed.  Now Gordon uses the GPS every fine day.   The tractor drives itself bullet straight with no hands, every time.   “It makes life easier, we should have had GPS years ago,” he says.

For more information on Precision Ag options and adoption, talk to LandWISE as below.

The LandWISE website www.landwise.org.nz contains information on current members, articles on precision agriculture and many resources and tools.  It is also a place to comment, chat and ask questions about where to go to learn more.

LandWISE membership puts you in touch with other innovative growers, industry folks and technologists, join at http://www.landwise.org.nz/join/

Visit the website to learn more, or contact James direct on 06 6504531 or 0272 757757.

Precision Agriculture, Projects

Is soil pH variability reducing your bottom line?

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Scott Shaw, Plant and Food Research

Maintaining soil pH within acceptable limits is important for crop performance. For most crops this is somewhere between 5.5 and 7.0, which ensures nutrients are freely available to plants and that mineral toxicities don’t occur. Equally, we know that soil conditions in paddocks can be variable and this includes soil pH. Recently there has been a groundswell of interest in variable rate technology (VRT) to manage variable soil conditions within individual paddocks. Soil pH variability can be minimised effectively using zone mapping and VRT to tailor lime applications. This approach is termed site-specific or zone management.

Two key questions should be asked before investing in zone management – will it pay dividends? and over what time frame? Clearly the costs associated with zone maps and VRT need to be offset by increased revenue from higher yields, better quality crops, or savings from a reduction in total fertiliser volumes.

There have been numerous studies done over the years looking at the effects of soil pH on a large number of crops and soil types. These have included looking at things like root growth, yield, soil biology and disease incidence. The good news is that in good agronomic conditions most crops are capable of producing high yields of quality produce over a relatively wide range of soil pH’s.

If you are considering using zone management to reduce variation in soil pH, a good approach is to identify some basic zones within your paddocks (either using soil maps or knowledge of the land) and then collect a soil sample for pH analysis from within each of these zones. If the difference between zones is less than 0.5 pH units (e.g. 6.0 vs. 6.5) the likelihood of zone management paying dividends is unlikely. If the zones vary by up to 1 pH units (e.g. 5.5 vs. 6.5) and the size of the most extreme zone is significant (e.g. >20% of the paddock area) there may be an economic benefit investing in zone management over the medium to longer term for some crops. When significant sized extreme zones vary by >1.5 pH units (e.g. 5.0 vs. 6.5) using zone management to mitigate variability in soil pH should pay dividends over the short to medium term.

In summary, zone management can be useful and economic in certain situations. There are many factors to consider including the cost of implementing the technology. Do your homework and think about the pros and cons. Get into your paddocks, dig some holes and take some soil samples from different zones. Understand the size of the issue. There is no doubt that soil pH is important, but is variability in soil pH really an economic concern? You be the judge!

Controlled Traffic Systems, Precision Agriculture, Projects

Why Join LandWISE?

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Global pressure on agricultural land, water, nutrients and energy are all intensifying, while increased demand for food follows population growth.  LandWISE sees advanced farming systems as a key to improving sustainability and profit in the face of these challenges.

You might decide to join LandWISE because:

  • When you join LandWISE you join an excellent group of farmers and growers who are bringing new technology into their businesses to be more successful into the future.
  • You want to learn ways to improve profitability, while reducing GHG emissions and improving soil and farm resilience in the face of climate change.  This happens with fewer cultivation passes and reduced tractor horsepower requirements which can result from GPS use in cropping.
  • LandWISE is supporting the integration of GPS and other tools into the mainstream.  The trend is for new users of GPS to keep adding GPS units into their tractor fleets, once they see the benefits.  Learn more and assess this gear for yourself.
  • You want to network with farmers who have selected themselves for LandWISE projects.  They are innovative contributors, who are happy to share their learning with others.
  • Strong membership aids in sourcing support for projects.  If you think LandWISE does good work, your support is appreciated for what it adds to the work LandWISE does.
  • You will get discounted attendance at the 2011 LandWISE conference.  Speakers will discuss how the new technologies can be used to enhance soils, refine water and nutrient management and reduce chemical, fuel and labour inputs.  It will be the event for NZ farmers wanting to learn about precision agriculture in 2011.  See www.landwise.org.nz

What are Advanced Farming Systems?

Advanced Farming Systems is a term that describes the integration of new technologies, often including GPS, into farming practises.  The benefits of a well designed Advanced Farming System include improved soil health, savings on fuel, water, steel, fertilizer and agrichemicals and reduced Green House Gas (GHG) emissions.

Introducing Advanced Farming Systems can reduce overall capital investment in farm equipment and variable costs and improve profitability in ground breaking ways.

As part of the Advanced Farming Systems project, LandWISE holds field days around New Zealand.

To learn more about advanced farming systems see www.landwise.org.nz Register there for LandWISE membership and conference attendance.

Agronomy, Controlled Traffic Systems, Drainage, Irrigation, Precision Agriculture, Water

14th Annual Symposium on Precision Agriculture in Australasia

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Albury NSW, 2-3 September 2010

Hosted by the Australian Centre for Precision Agriculture and SPAA Precision Agriculture Australia

Summary Report by Dan Bloomer and James Powrie, LandWISE Inc.

Presentations at the symposium tended to refer to practical applications of Precision Agriculture technologies with a research focus.  They ranged across topics from grains, to remote sensing, and from livestock to viticulture.

The opening by outgoing SPAA President Mark Branson, referred to population increases, tightening oil supply and environmental regulation, crop losses through climate change and future restrictions on synthetic fertilisers.   Precision Agriculture was offered as an opportunity for the farming industry to invest in technologies to address these challenges.

Note:  The names credited here are those of the speakers.  Other authors also contributed to most of the papers presented. We assume full papers will be made available through SPAA or ACPA websites.

Assessment of sugar cane yield monitoring technology

Troy Jensen- National Centre for Engineering in Agriculture

Systems were trialled for monitoring sugar cane yield.  Significant variation was noted between yield monitor types.  While we don’t grow sugar cane in NZ there may be implications for forage harvesters.

Are passive sensors passé

Eileen Perry- DPI Victoria

Passive sensors rely on sunlight as the source that is reflected, so there are issues dealing with readings as light conditions change. Active sensors have their own light source, so they get a stable result in changing light conditions – and can be used at night if desired. Passive sensors have a place in remote sensing. Satellites, for example, cannot supply active light so remain passive. Passive sensors are also being used in permanent positions to monitor temporal changes in crop status.

Some links to other information: Tetracam.com and headworkphotonix.com and Quantalab in Spain may be interesting to review.  The FLIR handheld imaging sensors for carotenoids and chlorophyll looks interesting: www.psi.cz/products/pocket-sized-instruments/plantpen.

Precision pastures

David Lamb- Precision Agriculture Research Group, University of New England

Experiments have been using GPS information to track pasture quality and grazing behavior.   By tracking what animals are doing when, i.e, moving, still or eating, they are gaining insight into which areas are most productive.  This enables improved understanding for integrated landscape management.  Tracking animals shows places where they are not grazing at all.  Pasture quality patterns show up, with different pastures preferred morning to afternoon.

RFID animal tags are also being trialled to enable automatic walkover weighing and fleece weight recordings to assess growth achieved in relevant parts of the paddock.  RFID eartags with GPS (estimated 3 year battery life) are about 2 yrs from market.

Other studies have investigated training animals to allow remote control using sirens. This will potentially enable isolated stock to be managed and encouraged to move to new paddocks by a farmer  anywhere on the globe.

UNEPARG research has now shown that Cropcircle sensors with enhanced LEDs can now be used up to 50m above the ground for improved (and safer) aerial biomass measurement.

Once biomass variability has been mapped using, for example, optical sensors or CDAX pasture meter they believe you can define transects within a field that give you a shortcut to getting whole paddock biomass estimates (truncated biomass transects).

David Lamb also noted LIDAR may augment the use of sensors by adding more detailed knowledge of biomass.  David Manktelow’s Hawke’s Bay work with orchard canopies was mentioned.

Why do grapevine yield and quality vary in time and space?

Andrew Hall- National Wine and Grape Industry Centre, Charles Sturt University

Andrew reported that their research showed there are big annual deviations in yield.  Data from a normal year predicts variability in other years better than same-season sampling in an off-year.  Spatial variation was found to be greatest early and late in season.   Understanding the effects on weather induced change on reproductive processes and carbohydrate dynamics within the plant appears to be the key to making accurate productivity forecasts. [See also Rob Bramley’s report]

Remote sensing applications for the Australian cotton industry.

Andrew Robson- Queensland Department of Employment, Economic Development and Innovation.

Much of this focused on review of different resolutions of available remote imagery. Some satellite imagery is relatively coarse but is cheap for large areas so may prove appropriate in the cotton industry.  Strategic purchase of imagery at only necessary resolution can save cost.

UAV technology with PA to improve productivity and sustainability of macadamia orchards

Leasie Felderhof- Skyview Solutions Pty Ltd.

Regulations are holding back use of UAVs (model aircraft with cameras) in Australia and in US.    A commercial pilot licence is required for UAVs!  A macadamia orchard of 100ha was mapped in 4 hours flying time.  Wind can limit flight potential.

Image quality can be very high (3cm pixel size) and can be used to show individual leaves and identify early stages of pest attack.  This is possible using relatively easily available cameras.  New photo stitching technology makes it possible to easily and rapidly create mosaics from individual images.

Preliminary cost analysis suggests that nutrition maps derived from aerial images can lower production inputs and increase profits in the macadamia sector.

Fixing low pH soils and solving drainage problems with PA in NSW and Victoria

Tim Neale- precisionagriculture.com.au

Farmers can gain more value from their GPS purchase by using their guidance system to create farm topography maps.    Drainage analysis and cut and fill maps can then be created from these.  Software advances allowed them to reduce soil moved to ensure drainage by 90% compared to traditional laser levelling techniques.

High resolution satellite images were being used to identify areas suspected of low pH.  They compared targeted sampling to grid sampling and decided that zones drawn from satellite imagery were a good intermediate step to start on variable rate liming.  A targeted approach to pH can reduce the number of samples required.

John Deere Industry Update

Andrew Bremner John Deere AMS

A number of new John Deere PA products are being launched for 2011.  Remote access to tractors equipped with new communications features, will allow for fleet management, diagnostics and online backup.

An Automated system for rapid in field soil nutrient testing

Craig Lobsey- Australian Centre for Precision Agriculture

This work is bridging the gap between conventional lab sampling and lab analysis and current proximal soil sensors.  Wet chemistry is desirable for measuring soil nitrate, and potassium and sodium.  But rapid processing is essential for on-the-go in-field analysis. The research goal was to get wet chemistry sample processing done in 30 seconds to make in-field processing economic.  They found (the cunning bit) that by carefully measuring the rate of change of the chemical reaction at early stages they were able to predict a result that would be gained by the reaction going to completion (which takes 30+ minutes).

SPAA Precision Ag Association Grower group project

Leighton Wilksch- SPAA Precision Agriculture Association

The Grower Group project is focusing on site specific crop management. SPAA has 16 farm discussion groups running, with three meetings a year are held per group.

SPAA also ran their first annual Advanced Training Courses in PA for advisors and key farmers (70 attendees).  People we spoke to said this was stunningly good. We’ll find out if we can arrange a New Zealand course if there is interest.

Wireless Sensor Networks

Rakesh Devadas- RMIT University, Melbourne

Effective calibration of remote sensing by satellites, aeroplanes etc needs ground based data.  A system was set up to capture continuous ground based measurements, to give data that coincides exactly with aerial and satellite observations.  To collect that data, the researchers built an in-paddock sensor network that was wirelessly connected to a base computer, so that when satellite image received they had the necessary data to calibrate the image.  This cost $2K per node.

Identifying scales at which yield and soil attributes are related

Brett Whelan- Australian Centre for Precision Agriculture

This statistical presentation looked at the resolution (density of sampling points) of data collection, and the analysis of that data to explain the causes of variability. The amount of variability seen in data can relate more to the amount of sampling than the actual variability present.  Some analyses can show highly correlated results, but only explain a little of the variability. By changing the scales, you may have lower correlation but explain more of the variability.

Integrating temporal variation into the management of spatial variability of Precision Viticulture

Rob Bramley- CSIRO

Work was completed at Stoneleigh Squires vineyard in Marlborough.  This was led by Marlborough Wine Research Centre’s Mike Trought with John Paul Praat also involved in the project.  They analysed spatial vineyard information gained over several years to quantify relationships.  EM appeared useful for describing soil variation but detected very low EC values over a very narrow range due to shallow stony soils.  EC was closely correlated with trunk circumference.

They used an array of Cropcircle sensors from side of canopy to derive the Plant Cell Density (PCD) index. This uses the same wave bands (near infrared and red) as NDVI, but is a simple ratio rather than the difference ratio used for NDVI index. In contrast to Australian work, vine vigour assessments did not correlate with yield.  The researchers believe this is due to the high degree of bud selection at hand pruning.  Australian vines are typically machine pruned.

With assistance from a panel of winemakers they determined a juice score based on soluble solids, juice pH and titratable acidity.  They then predicted the change in juice score through time using the proximally sensed vine vigour data.  This gave a spatial fruit quality and maturity map of the vineyard changing over time.  This allowed them to create a map showing the date on which optimum harvest score was attained.

“Identifying those parts of the vineyard that produce the best fruit, and the date for best balance of flavour and aroma is the holy grail of viticulture research” (Mike Trought)

Onion Precision Agronomy

Trevor Twigden- National Onion Labs

Trevor’s team has been working on nutrient and plant stress impacts on onion pungency, sweetness and shelf life. There is a significant price premium for “mild onions” (called “sweet onions” in USA) which are actually low pungency rather than sweet.

To avoid pungency growers must avoid plant stress as the chemical involved (pyruvic acid) results from a stress response. There is “Mild Onion Certification” in Australia – Australia’s only flavour certified fresh horticultural product on the market. The research has demonstrated that precision agronomy e.g. GPS mapping and GPS generated sample sites with infield onion pungency testing makes it feasible to isolate areas with low pungency onions.  The marketing system is fully traceable, so the industry can assure quality is not degraded by untested onions being represented as mild.

A very large amount of spatially referenced sampling has enabled the researchers to identify soil, nutrient and nutrient combination effects on pungency and on storage quality. Pungency and sugars are independent.  Industry belief was that higher yields caused low storability, but this work shows good nutrition (at all points across the full site) allows high yields (100+ t/ha) and good storability.

TopCon Update

Martin Keye- Topcon

The CropSpec optical sensor has been through numerous upgrades.  It is currently being widely used in Montana to manage protein levels in wheat, because protein premiums are at record highs.

New TopCon products have remote communications ability allowing on-line service and support. Farmers can see exactly where each machine is and where it has been, from the office computer. They can send prescription maps directly to the tractor and equipment.  Martin sees great future for such connectivity allowing access to weather data etc from the cab. The move to wireless connectivity avoids the need for USB data sticks (thumb drives) or swapping data cards to transfer data – this is seen by many as a vital improvement.

Developing capacity via paddock learning – growers and groups

Simon Craig- Birchip Cropping Group (BCG)

Simon reported that use of PA technology for guidance is widespread among BCG farmers, but use of PA information for input decisions has been rare. Barriers of initial investment and aging gear are being displaced by drivers of reduced input costs and risks. A major limitation is software compatibility between office system and various different equipment protocols.

The BCG has been working with farmers to reduce inputs where possible, delay inputs such as nitrogen until later in the season when seasonal forecasts and yield potential predictions are more reliable. They have taught farmers to use paddock strips: e.g. leaving out an input in a pass that crosses over representative zones then monitoring yield at harvest time. These are very effective for building confidence to push the boundaries with little risk to production. An example relevant to NZ maize, would be leaving out P in starter fertiliser. They noted the benefits of running inter-seasonal nutrient budgets, reflecting previous crop extraction and anticipated yields.

PA education and training modules

Brett Whelan- Australian Centre for Precision Agriculture

Brett and colleagues have prepared a series of training modules based on the 2006 GRDC PA Training Manual. They identify different levels of knowledge sought, and structure the material accordingly. Each module covers a separate aspect of PA, and starts with a general introduction, allows an interested person to access more detailed information, and includes references to very details references should those be wanted. This information is intended to be made freely available, downloadable or CD, and open for use by educators and advisors as they wish to generate their own resources.

Future Trends in PA

James Hassall- Farmer and Nuffield Scholar in Precision Agriculture

James is a very long term PA farmer who built his own auto steer system years ago, and other pieces of equipment since. James presented a view of the future of PA, based on his experience, his Nuffield research and hours sitting in his tractor thinking.  He says ISOBUS communication between tractor and equipment is coming. However some manufacturers think it is already becoming redundant as it won’t cope with the required volume of data moving between multiple sensors on the tractor and equipment.  He says manufacturers are sharing information and testing compatiblity between gear by holding ‘plugfests’.

James is building a robot to move through his fields. He suggested that in terms of technology, the 80s introduced the personal computer, the 90’s the internet. We are currently seeing miniaturisation, and the next decade will see widespread introduction of robotics.  He believes he’ll be able to use his robot for many applications, including soil sampling, protein monitoring, weed spraying and more.

He noted work by David Slaughter using a robot to drop micro-doses of herbicide onto weed leaves. The Danish researchers have combined optical colour and shape technology to identify weed species and apply different chemicals at specific rates using bubble jet printer technology.

James is convinced that wireless data transfer and diagnostics will change farm management. No more having data cards slip out of your top pocket into the spray tank. He is keen to upload maps from office to tractor to manage equipment. He employs a lot of casual labour and remote access can assist the farmer ensure correct operation, and help inexperienced operators easily.

Trade Displays (a sample)

Apogee

Apogee is a defence company which has moved into agriculture, bringing a different spin on technology. They are highly specialised in satellite radar which penetrates cloud and works at night and can provide a lot of information not available through standard light sensing from satellites.  Radar allows identification of different materials, through polarizing of signals. http://www.apogee.com.au

Trimble

Trimble was marketing their equipment range and their base station network services.

Leica

Leica had a display of their ag products along with video on their mining and construction products with laser driven drafting of existing structures and earthworks.

Crop-Optics

Crop-Optics had a display of Weedseeker and Greenseeker sensors (formally manufactured by Ntech, now owned by Trimble).  The display included a moving banner of maize plants being scanned by Greenseeker and showing calculated variable rate against the NDVI score changing as the plant images passed.  Contact Scott Jameson

PrecisionAgriculture.com.au

Tim Neale and Andrew Whitlock had their imaging, training packages and consulting services on display.

Outline Imagery

This is a South African firm now in Australia.  They have an easily mounted multi-spectral camera for aircraft.  Contact Andrew Coleman