Precision Farming SystemPrecision Farming SystemTim SharpTim Sharp

Jackson State CollegeJackson State College

Jackson, TNJackson, TN

Precision Cotton Production is a Precision Cotton Production is a Farming SystemFarming System

System IntegratesSystem Integrates– FertilityFertility– Seeding RateSeeding Rate– Nitrogen RateNitrogen Rate– Plant Growth Plant Growth

Regulator Regulator ManagementManagement

– Crop TerminationCrop Termination– Insect ControlInsect Control

Zone Based ManagementZone Based Management

Zones are the key to Zones are the key to a Precision Cotton a Precision Cotton SystemSystem– Each field has clearly Each field has clearly

defined zonesdefined zones– Each zone can be Each zone can be

identified and mappedidentified and mapped– Each zone should be Each zone should be

managed correct for managed correct for that zonethat zone

Images are used Images are used to identify zonesto identify zones

2001 Image 2001 3 Zone Classed Map

Low ZoneMedium Zone

High Zone

As Applied MapFor Cotton Seed

2 SeedsPer Foot

3 Seeds Per Foot

4 Seeds Per foot

Plan from This

Variable Rate Nitrogen Plan Variable Rate Pix Plan

No Spray

Spray Low

Spray High

L = 50M = 90

MH = 70H = 60

Feathers Chapel

Moo

se Lodg

e

Mo

ose

Lodg

e

Moose3; 0030.9 ac .

1; 0011.5 ac .

2; 0010.9 ac .

Moose4; 0024.2 ac .

Moose Lodge; 00

Moose3; 00 (30.9 ac.)

500 0 500 1000 Feet

Date: Oct 9, 2003Field Name: Moose3; 00Location: Fayette Co., Tennessee, United StatesFarm Name: Moose LodgeClient Name: KarcherTotal Acres: 30.9Field Boundary Start Location: Latitude: 35.25729327 Longitude: -89.38853381

(29.0ac.) New Boudary

NDVI 09/03/020 - 0.140.14 - 0.290.29 - 0.380.38 - 0.440.44 - 0.54

Feathers Chapel

Moo

se Lodg

e

Mo

ose

Lodg

e

Moose3; 0030.9 ac .

1; 0011.5 ac .

2; 0010.9 ac .

Moose4; 0024.2 ac .

Moose Lodge; 00

Moose3; 00 (30.9 ac.)

500 0 500 1000 Feet

Date: Oct 9, 2003Field Name: Moose3; 00Location: Fayette Co., Tennessee, United StatesFarm Name: Moose LodgeClient Name: KarcherTotal Acres: 30.9Field Boundary Start Location: Latitude: 35.25729327 Longitude: -89.38853381

(29.0ac.) New Boudary

NDVI 2003 Air0.0 - 0.10.1 - 0.30.3 - 0.40.4 - 0.50.5 - 0.7

2001 CV

2001 CV

2002 VR 2003 VR

2002 CV 2003 CV

NDVI Data for Three Years

How do we do it?How do we do it?

What we use now is Aircraft Imagery.What we use now is Aircraft Imagery.

((Map based Variable RateMap based Variable Rate) from sample data or ) from sample data or imagery.imagery.

Use grower’s own planterUse grower’s own planter, just bolt on a Rawson , just bolt on a Rawson Controller and data logger.Controller and data logger.

Use grower’s own sprayerUse grower’s own sprayer, just add a GPS and , just add a GPS and data logger.data logger.

We have a new “Air Flow” Fertilizer (pull type) We have a new “Air Flow” Fertilizer (pull type) applicator with a 60 foot boom. A grower can applicator with a 60 foot boom. A grower can do do his/her own VR fertilizer.his/her own VR fertilizer.

New New TechnologyTechnology

Precision Ag (VR) Cotton Precision Ag (VR) Cotton Production SystemProduction System

Pre-Plant Fertilizer ApplicationPre-Plant Fertilizer Application (what is needed (what is needed only)only)

SeedingSeeding (reduce total cost about 30%)(reduce total cost about 30%)

In-Furrow Fungicide and InsecticideIn-Furrow Fungicide and Insecticide (reduce (reduce total cost about 30%)total cost about 30%)

In-Season PixIn-Season Pix (50 to 70% reduction)(50 to 70% reduction)

In-Season InsecticidesIn-Season Insecticides (50 to 70% reduction)(50 to 70% reduction)

Top-Dress NitrogenTop-Dress Nitrogen (15 to 50% reduction)(15 to 50% reduction)

DefoliationDefoliation (20 to 30% reduction)(20 to 30% reduction)

Yield by Zone by Year forYield by Zone by Year for Conventional ManagementConventional Management

703 702 744

10421140

10661155

1066

924

0

200

400

600

800

1000

1200

Low Medium High

2001

2002

2003

16 RepsPer Zone

340 SquareMeter Plots

01 02 03 01 02 03 01 02 03

-231

2002/2003 VR to CV Yields2002/2003 VR to CV Yields

0

200

400

600

800

1000

1200

1400

Low High

CV

VR

0

200

400

600

800

1000

1200

Low High

CV

VR

2002 2003

Minimum CostStrategy

Maximize YieldStrategy

+324+101

+53

nsns

+40

Reduced Crop Inputs have Reduced Crop Inputs have Resulted in “Better Cotton”Resulted in “Better Cotton”

No negative impact on stand No negative impact on stand – in low zones for reduced Fungicides or Temikin low zones for reduced Fungicides or Temik

Higher boll production on low and Higher boll production on low and medium zonesmedium zones– with less Pix and Insecticideswith less Pix and Insecticides

Higher yields observed in all zonesHigher yields observed in all zonesBetter high zone performance Better high zone performance – with increased Pix and Insecticides with with increased Pix and Insecticides with

reduced nitrogen ratesreduced nitrogen rates

Simply, Simply, How Can You Not Do ThisHow Can You Not Do This

You spend lots less moneyYou spend lots less money – ($80/A less in 2002 and 2003)($80/A less in 2002 and 2003)

You make some more cotton You make some more cotton – (160# more Lint 2003 and 60# 2002)(160# more Lint 2003 and 60# 2002)

Add these two lines together and you Add these two lines together and you willwill really make lots more profitreally make lots more profit..– Extra $200 per acre profit in 2003Extra $200 per acre profit in 2003– Extra $111 per acre profit in 2002Extra $111 per acre profit in 2002