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Agritech topic 06 of 14

PRECISION AGRICULTURE AND DIGITAL FARMING

What Is Precision Agriculture?

Precision agriculture is an approach that uses location-specific information, measurements and technology to manage fields more accurately.

Instead of treating every part of a field as identical, precision agriculture recognizes that soil fertility, moisture, crop growth and pest pressure can vary across different areas.

GPS and GNSS technology

GPS is part of the wider Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS).

These systems help determine geographical position and can support field mapping, tractor guidance, route planning and location-based agricultural records.

Higher-accuracy applications may require correction services, specialized receivers or real-time kinematic positioning (RTK).

GPS-guided tractors

GPS guidance systems help operators follow planned paths and reduce overlaps or missed areas during field operations.

Potential benefits include:

  • More consistent machinery passes.
  • Reduced unnecessary overlap.
  • Improved field-operation records.
  • Better repeatability of fieldwork.

The accuracy depends on the receiver, correction method, machine setup and operating conditions.

Variable-rate technology

Variable-rate technology changes the amount of an input applied at different locations in a field.

Applications include:

  • Fertilizer application.
  • Seed-rate adjustment.
  • Lime or soil-amendment application.
  • Selected crop-protection operations.

The system may use GPS, prescription maps, sensors and electronically controlled application equipment.

It is most useful when field variability is properly measured and the cost of variable-rate application is justified.

Farm mapping and GIS

Geographic Information Systems (GIS) allow users to create, manage and analyze spatial data.

A farm GIS map may contain:

  • Field boundaries.
  • Soil-test locations.
  • Irrigation channels.
  • Crop types.
  • Yield records.
  • Pest observations.
  • Drainage problems.
  • Machinery access routes.

These maps can improve planning and make it easier to compare field conditions over time.

Yield monitors

Yield monitors measure crop output during harvesting and can combine yield information with location data.

When properly calibrated, the resulting yield maps help identify high- and low-performing areas.

Farmers can compare these maps with soil tests, irrigation records and crop-management practices to investigate yield variation.