Objective One

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Objective One

• Explain a Geographic Information System (GIS).

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What is a Geographic Information System (GIS)?

• A Geographic Information System (GIS) is a data
  base that stores and analyzes information about
  specific points within a map.

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What is a Geographic Information System (GIS)?

• This GIS system is the basis for precision
  farming, or site-specific crop management, as all
  decisions that involve using variable rate
  application are based on the information provided
  by a GIS.
• A GIS breaks areas down into small grids, and
  gathers, stores, manages, and displays
  information about the points within that grid.

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What is a Geographic Information System (GIS)?

• It uses many layers of maps and data so that
  precise decisions can be made on the small areas
  within the map.

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What is a Geographic Information System (GIS)?

• The GIS partitions fields into grids and then
  maps them for physical attributes per grid
  segment.
• Maps can be made for fertility (N, P, K),
  pesticide residue, soil type and texture,
  drainability, water-holding capacity, and past
  years yield data.

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What is a Geographic Information System (GIS)?

• Computerized GIS allows the layering of these
  maps, giving a site-specific picture of a field
  on a meter-by-meter basis.
• Producers can use this information to make
  management decisions for that area.

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Objective Two

• Describe what types of data are included in a
  GIS.

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What types of data are included in a Geographic
Information System?

• II. When Geographic Information Systems are
  developed, they contain huge amounts of data to
  be managed.
• Yield monitor information alone can generate up
  to 500 data points per acre.
• An unlimited number of data layers can contribute
  to this large amount of information.
• All of the following information contributes to a
  GIS.

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How can GPS utilize variable rate technology
accurately apply agricultural inputs?

• Soil surveys are provided by the Natural
  Resource Conservation Service (NRCS).
• They provide information on soil types, drainage,
  and soil productivity.

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How can GPS utilize variable rate technology
accurately apply agricultural inputs?

• B. Soil sample information can be obtained
  through a retail fertilizer dealer, or by a soil
  testing company.
• Soil samples are gathered by pulling samples of
  soil from specific points within a field.
• GPS equipment is required to ensure the accuracy
  of the locations.

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How can GPS utilize variable rate technology
accurately apply agricultural inputs?

• This information details fertility within the
  soil.
• Each nutrient creates its own map.
• Soil sample information from several years can be
  stacked to provide more accurate information.

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How can GPS utilize variable rate technology
accurately apply agricultural inputs?

• C. Yield Data is made available from a combines
  yield monitor and indicates the productivity of
  that point in the field in the past.

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How can GPS utilize variable rate technology
accurately apply agricultural inputs?

• This data is collected and stored during the past
  years harvests, and provides information about
  how specific areas have yielded in the past.
• This could provide yield potential data.
• The yield data from each years crop is layered
  to provide even greater accuracy.

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How can GPS utilize variable rate technology
accurately apply agricultural inputs?

• D. Topography maps detail the differences in
  elevation thereby providing insight as to
  drainage potential.

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How can GPS utilize variable rate technology
accurately apply agricultural inputs?

• E. Field Boundary information provides accurate
  information regarding the outside boundary of the
  field.
• This is often referred to as the Base-Map, as it
  only identifies the outside edges of the field
  with no differences within the field itself.

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How can GPS utilize variable rate technology
accurately apply agricultural inputs?

• F. Remote sensing information can be collected by
  satellite or aerial photography.
• It can identify reflectivity information, which
  provides insight to the health of the crop
  throughout the growing season.

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How can GPS utilize variable rate technology
accurately apply agricultural inputs?

• G. Crop Scouting Reports provide information
  that would indicate potential yield differential.
• They indicate where plant or pest problems may
  exist which could impact yield.

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How can GPS utilize variable rate technology
accurately apply agricultural inputs?

• H. Variety Maps indicate where differences in
  variety within a field exist.
• If a change in yield existed at a specific point,
  the variety map may be able to indicate that
  variety difference is the reason for the
  difference in yield.

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Objective Three

• Describe how GIS information can be used as a
  management tool.

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How can GIS information be used as a management
tool?

• III. With all of the data that is collected from
  the many data layer maps, management decisions
  can be made based on statistical data.
• GIS programs do not analyze data sets, that is
  the responsibility of the producer or a
  consultant.
• A producers knowledge and experience improves
  the interpretation of the data.

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How can GIS information be used as a management
tool?

• Changes in yield within a field can be compared
  to other data maps for conclusions to be drawn as
  to why that part of the field did not yield as
  well as others.
• We can look at the other maps to see where that
  spot varies from other parts of the field.

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How can GIS information be used as a management
tool?

• A crop-scouting map may indicate weed pressure,
  or a topography map may indicate a low area,
  susceptible to ponding.
• If the weed pressure is the cause of the lower
  yield, the producer can select crop protection
  products that will adequately control the weeds
  in that area to allow maximum yield in the future.

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How can GIS information be used as a management
tool?

• Soil sample maps may indicate a need for
  different levels of fertilizer to achieve maximum
  yields.
• Variable Rate Application of fertilizer could be
  done the next fall to maximize potential for high
  yields.

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How can GIS information be used as a management
tool?

• B. While initial costs of setting up GIS can be
  quite high, the economic benefit from GIS comes
  from applying the correct amount of nutrients on
  each acre, and from making management decisions
  that will improve the long-term value of the farm
  land.

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Review/Summary

• A Geographic Information System (GIS) is a data
  base that stores and analyzes information about
  specific points within a map.
• When Geographic Information Systems are
  developed, they contain huge amounts of data to
  be managed.
• With all of the data that is collected from the
  many data layer maps, management decisions can be
  made based on statistical data.