GPS and AgricultureFRS 142Casey McComsey

Traditional ThoughtFARMER + TECHNOLOGY =

Traditional Thought (contd)Utter Confusion

A Brave New WorldYesterdays FarmersPlow Fields With MulesRely on Posts and Outdated MapsWork Sun-up to Sun-downTodays FarmersFlip on Autopilot and Take in the SceneryHave Real-time Maps on an LCD ScreenWork 24 Hours a Day if need be

GPS ApplicationsField preparation, Planting and CultivationFertilizing and Crop ProtectionMapping, Scouting, and SamplingHarvestingPlanning and Analysis

Enter GPSyee haw

The 3 PsPrep, Plan, CultivateIncrease productivity driving straight, centimeter-accurate swaths Save Time driving faster and more accurately, even in reduced lightPrecision Planting of Seeds

The 3 Ps (contd)Multi-tasking laying drip tape as you create a crop bedCreate and Maintain Detailed RecordsOverall Best Utilization

Fertilization & Crop ProtectionOptimizationLess fertilizer or protectant material and apply it only where it's needed. More Efficient than the Old Method

Mapping, Scouting, and Sampling All About Data and Details Optimize Water Management Scout Crops and Collect Map Data

Mapping, Scouting, and Sampling (contd)Map and navigate around field boundaries, point, line, or area featuresMap hard-to-reach features from a vehicle or airplane Accurately scout crops and navigate to weeds, pests and diseased areas

HarvestingMonitor the quality of harvesting operationsMinimize fuel and other costs with more accurate driving Maintain detailed records of harvest operations Create yield maps

Planning and AnalysisEasy to use software packagesEliminate a lot of guess-workAccessible when its neededon location

RTK TechnologyReal-Time KinematicPioneered by Trimble in 1992Sub-meter DGPS Accuracy Not EnoughRTK offers centimeter level accuracyCurrently also used for mining, survey, and construction applications.

RTK IIWhat is Needed?Base Station on Known Surveyed Point1 or More Mobile Receivers w/in 10 km RangeUHF, VHF, or Spread Spectrum Radio LinkRadios Work Best w/Line of Sight Visibility

RTK IIWhat is Needed?

RTK IIIHow does it work?Base station transmits corrections via radio to the mobile receivers in the field RTK base stations transmit data once per second Data in format called CMR (Compact Measurement Record)Dual frequency data format transmits data in a more compact and robust way than other formats

RTK IVTrack the Second Carrier Phase SignalThis Signal Allows for Trimble RTK to lock into Higher AccuracyAlso Initializes More Quickly

RTK vs. DGPSRTK Requires 5 Satellites to Initialize, Can Work w/4 DGPS 3, works well w/4RTK Requires a Dual Frequency ReceiverRTK needs one minute to initialize/DGPS immediatelyAccuracy of cms in 3 dimensionsRTKSub-meter accuracy in horizontal position onlyDGPS RTK must have own base station in 10 km rangeDGPS can use base station, correction service provider, or free radio beacons

Trimble GPS ProductsAgGPS 252 ReceiverAgGPS EZ-Guide Plus Lightbar Guidance System ApGPS EZ-Map SoftwareAgGPS Autopilot

AgGPS 252 Receiver 12 Channel GPS Engine RTK Highly Portable 5 lb Design

AgGPS EZ-Guide PlusLightbar Guiding SystemLCD ScreenEliminates Weather Concerns/Low-Light Worries

ApGPS EZ-Map SoftwareRuns on Handheld PCs and PDAsMapping Software Helps at All Stages of ProductionGreat Way to Show Proof of Work to Customers/Investors

AgGPS AutopilotSteering AssistantMust Have Driver Present HoweverConnects to Tractors Hyrdaulic Power Steering System

TestimonialsWe use the AgGPS PSO for straight guidance, headlands, and A/B lines. Our efficiency before and after getting our PSO is night and day, literally. Optimally, with the PSO we can do 1200 acres a day.Darryl and Kyle CochraneCochrane Spraying, CanadaWith GPS, we are quicker and have increased our work-load within an 8-hour workday. The GPS swathing system lets me do more work per day than I was doing before.Tommy BarhamJT Barham Farming

Thats all folks.