Precision farming

Abstract This chapter looks briefly at the history of precision farming techniques and how they have evolved up to the present day. It covers the costs and benefits of the technology and techniques, and then describes the various mapping methods that can take place on-farm these days. It discusses the use of auto-steering and variable rate application in particular. It also discusses the difficulties sometimes encountered when interpreting data. Finally it looks at the possible future of precision farming, with its potential use of robotics and data management. 

Key words cost-benefit, auto-steering, controlled traffic, real-time kinetics, variable rate application, robotics. 

As more and more data was eolleeted, the irmovators and early adopters demanded more and more analysis so eompanies began to provide commercial systems whieh were integrated, analytieal and reliable. Software was developed to help analyse data and present the results in a user-friendly way and, during the late 1990s and up to the present day miniaturisation of hardware meant that the components were mueh easier to fit onto maehines and, as we have now, many could be earried arotmd in the hand by agronomists, just like a mobile phone. 

Nowadays the term often used for the integrated use of precision farming technology, better models and algorithms for decision making, a committed consideration of the environment, food seeurity and food safety, combined with shrewd business deeisions is smart farming . 

There are a number of definitions of preeision farming but it might be useful to narrow it down to precision agronomy, which could be described as the matching of agronomic inputs and practices to locaUsed conditions within a field and the improvement of the accuracy of their application . 

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Precision farming techniques and split applications adapted to micro-sites and specific to the demand of the crop might be a quality assurance tool for conventional farming in the future. Since input rate has shown significant effects on FHB development in wheat, lower amounts of nitrogen, both applied or available from the soil, may generally result in reduced FHB as well as DON contamination. 

Steven, M.D. (1997). Satellite monitoring for precision farm decision support. First European Conference on Precision Agriculture, 7-10 September 1997. Oxford, UK Warwick University Press, pp. 697-704. 

The Home Grown Cereals Authority (HGCA) define precision farming as being management of farm practices that uses computers, satellite positioning systems and remote sensing devices to provide information on which enhanced decisions can be made. ... 

The latter is quite wordy and is not specific about weeds and diseases, but it encapsulates quite well the meaning and objectives of the system, as does the Defra sponsored Shuttleworth Precision Farming Alhance, which describes precision farming as follows ... 

The precision farming procedure can be summarised as follows. Data pertaining to yield and potential yield-affecting factors are initially collected, and then analysed to determine which factors are actually affecting the yield. 

Variable application of inputs may not always increase yields, but simply hold them constant whilst reducing input costs. Precision farming enables the farmer to reap increased profit through better management, and the... 

Like any new technology there is an associated new language and jargon. The HGCA provide a useful glossaiy of terms on their precision farming website. See Sources of further information and advice below. 

Yield limiting factors (YLFs) that cannot be controlled in the field will not be affected by precision farming methods. Natural rainfall, sunlight hours, humidity, COj levels and air temperature are variables that cannot be altered. Soil temperature and soil texture can be affected by husbandry, but only over a long period, sometimes decades. 

Soil stracture, drainage, acidity, inherent soil fertility, available water content and pests, diseases and weeds are all YLFs that can be managed using precision farming, although most are medium term alterations within the field. 

National Centre for Precision Farming, Harper Adams University. Available fiom http // www.harper-adams.ac.uk/initiatives/national-centre-precision-farming/... 

Defra Shuttleworth Precision Farming Alliance. Available from hftp //adlib.everysite. co.uk/adlib/defia/content.aspx id=000IL3890W.16NTBYKEP4SlWN... 

Cassman, K. G. 1999. Ecological intensification of cereal production systems yield potential, soil quality, and precision farming. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the USA 96 5,951-5,959. Effective extension services disseminating the information about the best methods of farming are the key to such improvements, which often require little, or no, capital investment. 

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