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

Agronomy, Precision Agriculture, Projects

World class chemical application and traceability using Precision Ag Tools

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As published in Grower October 2010. James Powrie and Dan Bloomer, LandWISE Inc.

Tim Macfarlane paid for his GPS in one day.  Electronic recordkeeping avoided a chemical trespass fight and maintained good neighbour relations.  Tim is working closely with FAR and LandWISE on a project called Advanced Farming Systems, which aims to research and extend new technology on NZ farms.

“This single event covered the cost of my GPS and control systems by avoiding legal action and the stress that goes with it,” he says.  Tim grows sweetcorn, vegetables and seed crops on his family farm in Kaiapoi.  Spray events are recorded by GPS, which tracks sprayer location and application rates.

An on-farm climate station also records data automatically.  Using these data together, Tim can show exactly what was applied, when, and in what weather conditions.  This makes it easy for him to complete industry and market quality assurance records such as New Zealand GAP.

“I invested in GPS to get agrichemical efficiencies.  I wanted to avoid overlaps or misses, with their resulting yield reductions, and to get better coverage with less chemical.  Proof of product placement is the icing on the cake,” he says.

GPS tracking clearly shows operators what has been sprayed, and what hasn’t.  “Before GPS, I’d find myself at the end of a field wondering if I’d done that row or not.  And GPS shows me exactly what is sprayed, where the last tank ran out, and where to start again,” said Tim.

Prescription application reduces the risk of chemical being applied at incorrect rates or places.  And if errors occur, affected crop can be traced and isolated.  Boom control avoids double spraying on angled headlands.

The benefits of traceability

Higher up the value scale, consumers are more interested in details of the products they buy.  Marketers can focus on traceability to differentiate products and add value.  A merino clothing brand encourages customers to trace their individual garment via the web.  They can view detail on ethics and environmental policy and see the farms where the wool was grown.

Precision agriculture systems provide more staff accountability for job quality and make supervision easier.  Records contain date, time and operator information so that details can be checked and followed up if needed.  Real-time links can advise supervisors if plant or equipment operates outside specified limits via the internet.  A manager can view in-cab operations from their office computer screen.

Regulation and demand for traceability can be seen as a burden or as an opportunity to improve your system. “When I have targeted one area of my operation for improvement with precision agriculture technology, I have found that other aspects get better too,” says Tim.

For more information on precision agriculture options and adoption, talk to LandWISE.

The LandWISE website www.landwise.org.nz contains information on current members, precision agriculture articles, resources and tools.

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.

FAR

Landwise logo sm20

Controlled Traffic Systems, Precision Agriculture, Projects, Soil

Early signs looking good in Controlled Traffic vegetable growing

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As published in Grower July 2010.

About 12 months ago A. S. Wilcox embarked on a new challenge – to adapt controlled traffic farming (CTF) to their Pukekohe-based cropping operation. A. S. Wilcox is pursuing CTF in order to improve soil quality and overall productivity. They also hope to lower fuel use.

With support from Land WISE and Plant and Food Research, a seven hectare site was allocated to the first year trial; half is being managed according to a CTF approach they have designed, the other half to their conventional “random traffic” practice.

The key is keeping all traffic on the same wheel tracks, never driving on the productive ‘garden’ areas. Under CTF, vehicle traffic is restricted to permanent wheel tracks. These solid ‘roadways’ are better able to carry traffic, allow access sooner after rain and reduce rolling resistance energy demand. The wheel tracks are not removed at the end of a crop, they are retained to carry future traffic. As a result, there is no need for the deep ripping and powered cultivation that is often required to remove compaction caused by random traffic during the season and at harvest.

In this article, crop supply manager Simon Wilcox and scientist Paul Johnstone provide a brief summary of this operation and promising soil indicators measured during the first year.

The trial site is on clay loam at A. S. Wilcox’s property in Pukekawa. The site has been intensively cropped for almost 15 years, typically to their standard 3 year rotation of onions, potatoes and oats. Heavy cultivation has been required to remove compaction and prepare beds for successive crops. Harvesting operations are often difficult in these soils, especially during wet conditions.

There were two key differences in how each half was managed in the first year of the trial. The controlled and random traffic areas both received the same primary cultivation. But there were some differences in the way the onion beds were initially formed (??) and the way the crop was subsequently harvested. In the controlled traffic area, all harvest equipment remained in wheel tracks, whereas in the conventional random traffic area, equipment also travelled on bed tops.

What has been learnt so far?

There was no difference in onion yields achieved using either approach. In time A.S. Wilcox hope the controlled traffic approach will deliver a deeper, better-structured soil that can either support larger crops or require fewer fertiliser or irrigation inputs.

Soil quality of prime interest, so a range of soil physical properties were assessed immediately prior to the harvest of onions in January. These included bulk density, aggregate size and also aggregate stability. There were few big differences in these indicators at this stage, probably because both areas had received the same primary cultivations and all seasonal traffic for weed, pest and disease control was in the formed wheel tracks.

Water infiltration under controlled traffic did however increase by about 30%, an encouraging observation which appeared linked to differences in bed forming practice. This was consistent with visual observations made during the season by the Wilcox team, where the effective soil depth was much greater under controlled traffic.

The most recent set of soil samples were collected in April, just prior to the planting of potatoes. The effects of the different traffic approaches at harvest appear to be emerging. Under the conventional random traffic practice there were a greater number of big, clumpy aggregates – a sign of residual compaction. By contrast, smaller aggregates were formed with less cultivation under controlled traffic.

The current potato crop will give the best indication yet of the potential benefits of the new controlled traffic approach. If these soils are better drained and structured, we expect to see more favourable lifting conditions during the challenging winter period.

In addition to the emerging soil benefits, the Wilcox team estimates they can reduce fuel use by about 50% by managing their traffic. The hoped for energy savings appear to be real. Convinced of these benefits, A. S. Wilcox has increased their controlled traffic area, implementing it on 44 ha this year.

All and all, early observations are encouraging for successful controlled traffic farming at this site!

For more details on these results contact James Powrie (LandWISE) or Paul Johnstone (Plant and Food Research). Funding for this project has come from the Sustainable Farming Fund ‘Advanced Farming Systems’ and ‘Holding it Together’ programs.

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.

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

LandWISE 2010 Conference – Know your Farm with Precision Ag

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As published in Grower June 2010.

James Powrie and Dan Bloomer, LandWISE Inc.

“The life-cycle, right through to the end consumer, matters a lot if we are to capture value and climb out of the commodity trap”, says James Palmer, MAF Policy’s Director of Strategy Development. In his opening address at the LandWISE Conference, Palmer highlighted the challenges faced by agriculture in New Zealand. He noted that Precision Agriculture can help farmers to grow the natural capital and markets on which our economy depends.

Held in Havelock North, with a high tech field session at the Centre for Land and Water in Hastings, the conference attracted 130 delegates. Farmers, researchers and industry people congregated to learn more about the benefits of advanced farming systems for vegetable, arable and pasture crops.

New technologies such as GPS, crop sensors, imaging and communications are driving farming forward in Australia, reported Professor David Lamb from the University of New England, NSW.   Lamb, Leader of the Precision Ag Research Group described new applications in cropping, pastoral systems and viticulture and the use of crop sensors, satellite imaging and livestock tracking.  On the LandWISE Conference itself, he said, “This has been the most enjoyable event I have attended in many years.”

Fellow Australians,  Dr Eileen Perry and Dr Roger Mandel spoke about the physics of crop sensing, how Australian growers are making technology pay and also, perhaps most importantly, how to avoid its pitfalls. “Check very carefully what support you will be getting – I’d sooner have the next best technology with the best support,” said Mandel. “If you can’t get support when and where you need it, you’ll have a very expensive tool doing absolutely nothing,” he said.

LandWISE Manager, Dan Bloomer notes, “Australia has invested heavily in Precision Agriculture – probably owing to the very marginal nature of some of their farming, and their need to target inputs accurately and take special care of their soils and water.”    New Zealand growers are taking on Precision Ag as their profitability is challenged and environmental performance is becoming a key success factor. “Cost saving technologies like GPS, auto steering and high tech spraying and planting gear are getting cheaper while the other input costs are all going up.  Farmers are catching on fast, and once in, they wonder how they ever did without it,” he adds.

Fuel savings from 25-55% are being made in Controlled Traffic Farming operations. LandWISE is monitoring progress on farms producing onions, spinach and lettuce and maize cropping.  Plant and Food scientist, Paul Johnstone, and AS Wilcox Crop Supervisor Simon Wilcox told delegates about trials of permanent beds for onions and potatoes. After only one crop, measureable soil improvements and fuel savings are seen. AS Wilcox will greatly increase the area of Controlled Traffic Farming this year.

Reddy Pullanagari is a doctorate student at the NZ Centre for Precision Agriculture at Massey.  He has begun work with NZ Fresh Cuts Operations Manager Chris Butler, who spoke about CTF in salad cropping and crop sensing for nutritional management.

“Conferences are great, but we need more of this closer extension happening throughout agriculture,” says Bloomer.  “LandWISE works hard to improve communication between farmers, scientists and academics. We believe strongly in cooperative research efforts and excellent communication between farmers and researchers,” said Bloomer.  “And it seems to work well.”

Three scholarships enabled students to attend the Conference. Apatu Farms sponsored a leading Ag/Hort student from Lindisfarne college in Hastings.   LandWISE matched this to allow Sam Tod and Rowan Sandford to attend the conference free of charge.

Anna Gillum, an honours student from Massey University, also attended the conference on a scholarship from LandWISE, “It has confirmed for me that I have chosen the right industry.  It was nice to realise that my last 3 years of study, and this post grad year, will benefit me as well as give me an enjoyable future in this industry.”  she said.

AGMARDT provided travel assistance to the conference from Australia for Professor David Lamb, Dr Eileen Perry and Dr Roger Mandel.

Horticulture NZ Fresh and Process Vegetable Product Groups and Potatoes New Zealand were Gold sponsors of the LandWISE Conference.  They were in good company, with Waterforce, CASE IH, Trimble, Hawke’s Bay Regional Council, EECA, Foundation for Arable Research also leading sponsors of the event.

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.

Controlled Traffic Systems, Precision Agriculture, Projects, Soil

Ergonomics in your tractor – Making the job easier with GPS

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As Published in ‘Grower’ Magazine May 2010.

James Powrie and Dan Bloomer, LandWISE Inc.

“I don’t care what it cost! He’s not such a grumpy b*&&er when he comes in off the tractor.” So said the farmer’s wife.  The interviewer had asked, “What rate of return are you getting on your investment in GPS guidance?”

Our experience is that many farmers respond in non-financial terms, preferring instead to explain why they “would never go back!” They are able to work longer and feel better at the end of each day, and they know they do better jobs than they can without it. What value should you put on a fresher mind, less silly mistakes, ability to work longer hours during high pressure periods?

There’s a story of a contractor entering the busiest part of the planting season. He lost his night shift driver and ending up planting for 100 hours at a stretch.  “I don’t recommend it but there’s no way it would have happened without GPS. 24 hours would have cooked me,” he said.

Most farmers adopt GPS because it saves on “soil, oil and toil”. And it is true that precision agriculture tools such as tractor guidance can reduce costs in the paddock; saving time, fuel and agrichemicals too.  But a message we keep hearing, is that the in the cab benefits were under-estimated, and a key reason to add more GPS units on other tractors.

It’s about Ergonomics – the study of the ‘fit’ between people and their tools and environments.  It is one of the things that owners and operators of self steering tractors love.   The bottom line is that GPS makes things more comfortable for the operator, and leaves them free to concentrate on the actual task being done.  Less stress in the cab equals less fatigue, because driving straight is handled by the gear.  This allows drivers to monitor the implement, the job it is doing and any adjustments required.

“The important work happens behind the tractor. That is where the money is made and lost,” says John Evans who grows process peas, specialist seed and a range of arable crops in Canterbury.  “Steering depends on looking out the front, but you can’t look out front and back at the same time. After trying GPS you realise how you can’t do the job as well without it,” he says.  “And my ‘cell phone wiggle’ is gone; when I answer the phone, the tractor stays on its bullet straight path.

Donovan Keen was furrow dyking a carrot crop at Lawson’s Organic farms when James caught up with him.  They watched the implement for five minutes without having to look out the front of the tractor.  “Especially with precision weeding; without GPS, one look back and we take the crop out,” said Donovan.

It is not just the owner-drivers that benefit. As employers, farmers are noting additional benefits. Randal Hanrahan grows process sweetcorn, potatoes and arable crops, farms livestock and operates an Agricultural contracting business in Ashburton.  With a larger operation to manage, Randal found driver training and hiring to be a major headache.  “Everything is so much easier with GPS,” he says.  “Driving very straight is a skill that is not often found.  This technology allows even a new driver to steer straighter than an old hand – every time” says Randal.

Because the tractor is steered by GPS the real work can be monitored and the office work can happen in the cab too.  Randal takes his phone and laptop up the ladder and runs his contracting business from the cab.  “It saves me time at night”, he says. “When I get inside, I can spend time with my family.”

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.

Controlled Traffic Systems, Precision Agriculture, Projects

Precision Agriculture Project Update and LandWISE Conference 2010

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As Published in ‘Grower’ Magazine April 2010.

James Powrie and Dan Bloomer, LandWISE Inc.

The Advanced Farming Systems Project was established to share learning related to Precision Agriculture. It is modern technology, rapidly entering the mainstream in cropping.

All twelve case study farmers in this LandWISE SFF project are using GPS and related technology for more profitable cropping. Their primary interest is using Precision Agriculture tools to guide and control machinery. Automatic steering to drive straight lines gives early benefits. Application control to improve material placement soon follows.

As farmers and advisors become more involved in precision farming, their interest in generating maps from automatically captured spatial data increases. Recording what happened where allows proof of placement maps, yield maps, or maps from crop and soil sensing.  Application maps that tell the equipment “how much to apply where” can follow.

Innovative farmers are reducing their inputs and improving yields, and they’re having some fun, challenges and a lot of learning along the way. In Hawke’s Bay, any cropping farmer of scale is using GPS.  Look around; GPS antennae can be seen on tractors almost anywhere in NZ.

Driving straight and controlling traffic with GPS
Driving straight gives the first tier of savings and efficiencies in fuel, time, inputs and R&M.  Several focus farmers have moved from Random Traffic Farming (RTF) to Controlled Traffic Farming (CTF).  Avoiding the soil damage and the costs imposed by remedial tillage is saving over 50% of fuel at NZ Fresh Cuts salad cropping farm in Pukekohe and at David Clark’s maize farm in Gisborne.  “Once we stop wasting energy in compaction, we don’t need to use more on remedial tillage.  With controlled traffic we save fuel on every pass and we do less passes,” says Chris Butler at NZ Fresh Cuts.

The soil responds well, once we stop driving randomly over paddocks.   Remember that 70-80% of compaction is done with the first pass and some cropping systems result in 100% compaction cover across a paddock.  Benefits noted in CTF systems include higher earthworm numbers, better water infiltration and storage and more resilience and faster recovery of soils in the face of catastrophic events.

Controlling Machinery for weeding
Hugh Ritchie and John Evans are both enjoying the benefits of RTK GPS for mechanical weeding. Straight planting lines can be revisited with <2cm accuracy.  “This is giving dramatic labour and agrichemical savings and reduced use of residual herbicides.  We justify it with economic reasons but gain environmental benefits as well,” says Hugh.

GPS planter and spray boom control
GPS technology can individual sprayer nozzles or planter coulters off or on at the optimum location saving misses or double ups. The controller tracks applications and references boundaries to turn on and off the relevant part of machine, saving seed or chemical and improving yields. This also provides a powerful tool for proof of product placement.

Surface Optimisation
On Hew Dalrymple’s farm, yield maps, EM soil maps and aerial photos all tell a story of variability. The sandy dune contour has tops that rapidly get too dry and hollows that pond and stay too wet. High precision GPS guided earthmoving is recontouring the sand dune country and evening out topsoil depth. It also allows his centre pivot irrigators to complete full circles or greater arcs, further enhancing production and return on investment.

Data Capture and Analysis
Yield maps, operational maps and remote sensing can give multiple layers of data to aid in managing a farm or crop.  Among the case studies are LandWISE farmers trialling crop and soil sensors to better understand their farms and manage their crops. To some it’s the icing on the cake: real time sensing and variable rate application.  For now, we just want to know what we can realistically achieve today (and tomorrow).

The LandWISE 2010 Conference
Precision Agriculture uptake is accelerating as technology costs fall and input costs rise.
Farmers can justify Precision Agriculture through immediate economic returns, but are very conscious of the environmental benefits which follow. They are the long term sustainability factors.

Using technology on your farm can save your “soil, oil and toil”. Register for the LandWISE conference on May 12th and 13th to learn from local farmers and local and overseas experts.

The LandWISE conference is being held in Havelock North.  It is the leading Precision Ag event in NZ each year and is a fun and interesting event.
Visit the LandWISE website www.landwise.org.nz for more information.

The LandWISE Conference is held in May each year.  This year’s theme is Know your Farm – With Precision Ag.  12th & 13th May, Havelock North.  See our website to learn more, or call to register.
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.
Visit the website to learn more, or contact James direct on 06 6504531 or 0272 757757.

Precision Agriculture

News Release – LandWISE Conference 12th and 13th May 2010, Havelock North

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April 15, 2010 – for immediate release
LandWISE Conference 12th and 13th May 2010, Havelock North

‘Know your Farm – with Precision Ag’
Leading researchers and practitioners of Precision Agriculture from around the world are to address the LandWISE Annual Conference on the 12th and 13th of May.

The conference is being opened by MAF Director of Strategy Development, James Palmer, who will speak about the challenges facing NZ agriculture and how the successful adoption of technology can offer solutions.

Keynote speaker Professor David Lamb will update delegates on worldwide advances in precision agriculture. Professor Lamb is the Director of the Precision Agriculture Research Group at the University of New England. He is well known in precision agriculture as an extremely knowledgeable and entertaining speaker.

Dr Charles Merfield from Ireland will outline how high precision agriculture tools are advancing organic cropping systems. Dr Eileen Perry from Victoria will explain the use of crop sensor technology and Dr Roger Mandel from Western Australia will “demystify precision agriculture”. Wade Riley from Mississippi will be telling delegates how to make it all work.

With farms investing heavily in precision agriculture tools there’s a need for other primary industry professionals to stay up to date. James Powrie from LandWISE says, “We are talking about shifting where farm money gets spent. The cost of inputs is rising, and the cost of precision ag technology falling, so it makes good financial sense to invest in these new tools. Bankers and advisers are recognising this is a major revolution in farming and everyone needs to adapt accordingly.”

LandWISE Chair Hugh Ritchie, says, “The LandWISE Conference has become one of the foremost events for farmers and their supporting industry reps to keep up to date with new technologies. LandWISE connects various players – farmers, scientists, technology providers – and facilitates projects where we all work together.”

LandWISE Manager, Dan Bloomer adds, “The conference is our biggest event, it is our main chance to get together and share news of the three year Sustainable Farming Fund Advanced Farming Systems project.  It is about using high technology on farms, with case studies and demonstration sites from Auckland to Canterbury.  Our farmers will stand up and share their stories too; how technology is ensuring more efficient use of water, soil, fuel and financial resources in New Zealand farming”.

The conference is well supported by industry, local government and primary sector groups. Key partner, the Foundation for Arable Research heads the list of Industry Gold Sponsors along with Farmlands, Hawke’s Bay Regional Council, NZ Fresh Cuts, Gisborne District Council, Ballance Agri-Nutrients, Horticulture New Zealand, CASE IH, WaterForce and the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Authority, AGMARDT and Potatoes New Zealand.

Promoting sustainable production