This document discusses how precision agriculture technologies are transforming farms. It defines precision agriculture as using yield maps, spatial data, and input control technologies to better match agronomy to field variability, with the goals of increasing profit and improving environmental management. It describes several key precision agriculture technologies like GPS, sensors for measuring yield, soil properties, and biomass, aerial and satellite imagery, and information management tools. It explains how tools like EM38 sensors and aerial imagery can be used to create soil conductivity and nutrient maps. Integrating these spatial data layers can help farmers implement targeted practices to improve yields, soil, irrigation, drainage, and nutrient management.

1. South Australian Murray Darling Basin NRM Board Ranges to River NRM - Community Science Forum Farming Sustainability & Technologies

2. Farming to Potential How Precision Agriculture technologies are transforming farmsFelicity Turner Mannum 2011

3. Introduction What is Precision Agriculture What are the different “PA” Technologies How are these technologies being utilised by farmers

4. Definition of PA - GRDC ‘Information rich agriculture. The use of yield maps, other spatial information and input-control technologies to better match agronomy to paddock variability. The aims are to increase profit and improve environmental management.’

5. Precision Agriculture Requires use of “new” technologies GPS (global positioning systems) Sensors (Yield, EM38, Biomass) Satellite or Aerial Imagery Information management tools (GIS) Assess and understand variations with “Ground-Truthing”

6. PA – My take….. Agricultural Concept relying on the existence of in-field variability About doing; The right thing The right place The right way The right time By; Measuring variability Understanding variability Managing / Utilising variability

7. Data Layers & the collection methods 3 Important mtrs

8. EM38 Measure of soil conductivity Electrolyte concentrations (salts) Moisture content Soil Texture (WHC, PAW) Supported with soil coring to identify factors influencing EM38 readings

9. Potential outcomes of EM38 maps Clay spreading/delving Creation of VR ameliorant maps Creation of potential management zones (if strongly linked to yield) Site identification for irrigation areas Combined with elevation data; site selection for moisture probes VR Irrigation Drainage & earthworks Template for soil coring / testing

10. Sensors / Imagery Aerial / Satellite Imagery PCD (Plant Cell Density) Ground-based Sensors NIR & “Red-edge” Spectrum NDVI

11. Sensors Needs to be groundtruthed Once groundtruthed, it can represent; Plant stands Plant vigour Plant height Crop Disease Nutrient Deficiencies Weed Infestations

12. Yield Data Collected with farmers harvester Most difficult layer to obtain If you miss it, it’s gone Allows identification and accurate measurement of variability across a paddock Yield data easily converted to revenue, nutrient removal, water use etc. Only actual yield can be overlaid and used to calculate financial outcomes

13. Farming to potential……..

14. Taking the next step……

16. Technologies Transforming Farms Sometimes the simplest solutions can have the greatest effect!!