Using Precision Technology for Application of Fertilizer and Herbicides Dana Ritenour Chemical Containers Inc. What is Precision Technology? * Ability to apply different amounts of inputs to specific points in the same field. * Applies to fertilizer, pesticides, herbicides and soil amendments.. * Should be incorporated into the total precision application package.
WHERE DO WE BEGIN? 1) Gather geo-referenced information from our field 2) Analyze data to form management zones 3) Write prescription files and create map 4) Make Precision Application 5) Create record of application Gather DGPS referenced information SOIL TYPE BOUNDRY MAP SOIL ph PEST OR DISEASE PRESSURE GIS INFO NUTRIENT LEVELS PAST HARVEST DATA T O P O EC Sensor
Image of Area Boundary Overlay
Soil Type Overlay Elevation Data
Prescription Map -Lime Rate_900 Identifies rate for applicators exact location Sends rate to controller Example of a contour map Prescription Map Rate_650 Identifies rate for applicators exact location Sends rate to controller Example of a grid map
As Applied Map * Receives Data from Rate Controller * Displays applied areas * Creates application report Prescription Map Demonstration
No Apply Zones The first step is identification Areas are located and plotted with a DGPS receiver and field mapping software All the attributes are added to the location at this time This may include: Wells, Houses, Swimming Pools, Public Recreation Areas, etc. This becomes a permanent record of applications and apply/no-apply zones
Image of area showing locations # # # Well locations with 300 setback # # #
Prescription map no product irrigation 20 lbs per acre The prescription map contains application rate data There are two specific rates for the above map : 0 and 20 lbs. per acre Equipped with a sub-meter DGPS receiver, the application equipment knows where it is located within the prescription map, and applies the rate specific to that location Well setbacks # # # Well locations are added to the Prescription map Set back zones are set up for each The set back zones are assigned a zero rate
Edited prescription map no product irrigation 20 lbs per acre # # # The setbacks are clipped out Those areas are then assigned a zero application rate As Applied Map # # # Red represents applicator travel with no product being applied Blue represents applicator travel with product being applied at 20 lb.. per acre
Close up of as applied map # Red represents applicator travel with no product being applied Blue represents applicator travel with product being applied at 20 lb.. per acre As Applied Map While product is being applied, the GPS controlled application equipment creates an as applied map The mapping software is receiving real time application data from the rate controller and the GPS receiver Once per second the mapping software logs a point Attached to that point is its latitude/ longitude coordinates, a GPS time stamp, the area the applicator is covering, and the rate the product is being applied This stream of logged points creates a permanent as applied map that is viewable in any GIS viewing software
Precision Application Components GPS Units Light Bars for Guidance Computers Controllers Software Application Equipment GPS Receivers DGPS, Differentially Corrected GPS is necessary for Variable Rate Application Correction sources are Beacon, Satellite, or WAAS Satellite correction requires a subscription Receivers should run at a minimum of 5hz at 4800 baud rate
Smart Antennas DGPS Receivers GPS Antennas Light Bar Guidance Guidance systems should work the way you do. Flexible guidance patterns Parallel (straight-line), curved A-B, adaptive curves, and headland modes. Systems should warn when you overlap into a previously applied area. When you turn around, they automatically advance to the next swath.
Display Screen and Data Card
Tilt Compensation Module Tilt Compensation Module Corrects for side slope-induced position errors Installs in-line between GPS receiver and guidance device
Computers and Controllers Stand Alone or Multiple Units?
Processor for Variable Rate Software Field Computers Laptops - compaq ipaq Accepts flash card with field prescription map Contains variable rate application software Legacy 6000 Controller
Chemical injection suction side Chemical injection suction side
Chemical injection pressure side Chemical injection pressure side
MT 600 Mixing Chamber Mixing Chamber Components FLOW DIRECTION Mixing Chamber 2 Diameter 8 Long Mixing Zone Polypropylene Mixer Vanes Glass Filled Polypropylene Retaining Rings End Fitting 2 Female NPT Polypropylene MT 600 Mixing Chamber Mixing Vanes Enter weaving sheering action coupled with multiple vortexes at high volumes Whirlpool Vortexes Left / Right Sheering Blending UP / Down Sheering
VARIABLE RATE SOFTWARE Communicates with Rate Controller and GPS Identifies location on prescription map Analyzes rate based on location Sends rate to controller Updates 5 times per second or faster Fieldware Application Report
Now Let s Put it Together Add Components to Chassis Tanks, Pump, Motor, Spray Boom, Computer, GPS, Software etc..
Boom Spray Nozzle Boomless Spray Nozzle
Sprayer and Pumping System Variable Rate Equipment Photo courtesy of Frank Corley-Corley Land Management Banding Nozzles Fertilizer Drip Tubes GPS Antenna Boomless Broadcast Nozzles Liquid Fertilizer Water tank with 3 chemical injection pumps and tanks Computer, Light Bar and Controller
Variable Rate Equipment Photo courtesy of Frank Corley-Corley Land Management Variable Rate Equipment Photo courtesy of Frank Corley-Corley Land Management
Questions or Comments? Chemical Containers Inc. PO Box 1307 Lake Wales, Fl. 33859 800-346-7867 Dana Ritenour 863-528-4352