The Precision Farming Primer © 1999
GIS
Technology and Site-Specific Management in Production Agriculture
(go to Detailed Table of Contents) (go to Title Page)
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Foreword by Grant Mangold
Introduction: An Overview of Precision Farming
Topic 1: Continuous Data Logging
GPS positioning and
data collection devices "census" crop yield and other factors every
few meters throughout a field—deriving yield maps.
Topic 2: Point Sampling
Sampling a variable
and spatially interpolating it into a continuous surface matches the data
derived in topic 1—deriving soil nutrient maps.
Topic 3: Mapped Data Analysis: Within a Single
Map
"Map-ematical"
techniques derive spatial relationships within a map generated in topics 1 and
2—deriving farm input/out connections using univariate data.
Topic 4: Mapped Data Analysis: Among Several
Maps
"Map-ematical"
techniques derive spatial relationships among several maps generated in topics
1 and 2—deriving farm input/out connections using multivariate data.
Topic 5: Modeling Management Actions
The relationship(s)
derived in topic 3 determine the appropriate, site-specific management
actions—deriving prescription maps.
Topic 6: Understanding GIS
Geographic
information systems (GIS) provide the technological "glue" of the
precision farming process—organizing mapped data.
Topic 7: Understanding GPS/IDI/RS
The technologies of
the global positioning system (GPS), intelligent devices and implements (IDI),
and remote sensing provide essential base data—collecting and handling mapped
data.
Conclusion: Putting It All Together
Site-specific
management is both a technical and a cultural revolution—the human dimensions
of hi-tech farming.
Appendixes
Appendix A: The Rest of the Story
Many of the concepts and procedures forming precision farming require further explanation for the techy-types—getting into the details.Appendix B: Precision Farming Resources (Compiled by G. Mangold)
There is a growing body of knowledge out there—organizations and publications involved in precision farming.Appendix C: Checklist for Yield Mapping Software
Yield mapping software is at the heart of precision farming—assessing yield mapping software.