1 / 21

Precision Agriculture in Forages

Precision Agriculture in Forages. Jeff Gaither. Introduction. Precision Ag is an agricultural concept relying on the existence of in-field variability . (Wikipedia) A forage crop is a seeded crop, often introduced and managed using agronomic principles. Management Needs. Use Crop Weeds

nerice
Download Presentation

Precision Agriculture in Forages

An Image/Link below is provided (as is) to download presentation Download Policy: Content on the Website is provided to you AS IS for your information and personal use and may not be sold / licensed / shared on other websites without getting consent from its author. Content is provided to you AS IS for your information and personal use only. Download presentation by click this link. While downloading, if for some reason you are not able to download a presentation, the publisher may have deleted the file from their server. During download, if you can't get a presentation, the file might be deleted by the publisher.

E N D

Presentation Transcript


  1. Precision Agriculture in Forages Jeff Gaither

  2. Introduction • Precision Ag is an agricultural concept relying on the existence of in-field variability. (Wikipedia) • A forage crop is a seeded crop, often introduced and managed using agronomic principles

  3. Management Needs • Use • Crop • Weeds • Insects • Nutrients

  4. Use • Primarily used as a feedstock, can be used as wildlife habitat or erosion control. • Different crop uses require different management needs. example: corn grown for silage. Wheat grown for hay.

  5. Type of Crop • Different types of crops need different management decisions. example: No need to apply nitrogen to alfalfa.

  6. Weeds • Weeds in forage crops are not usually not a big deal, however, some need to be controlled. Many weeds have value as a forage. example: Sericea Lespedeza, older plants are less palatable and produce tannins that do not taste good. Annual 3-awn can cause throat problems in cattle.

  7. Insects • Just as in row crops insects can become a problem depending on crop. example: Blister beetles in alfalfa.

  8. Nutrients • Forages, just like row crops, need nutrients. Forages, however, are sometimes not economically feasible to treat.

  9. Weeds • Weeds may need to be managed. • Site specific management can be used if weeds are grouped in a “bunch”. Site specific management reduces cost of spraying.

  10. Weed Seeker • Spot Spray • Row crop forages • Merrilong Pastoral Company • 16% weed coverage/paddock • Large savings per year (row crop situation such as wheat)

  11. Crop Optics Spray Rig

  12. Insects • Mapping • Locating and marking of ‘hot spots’. • Spot treatment • Remote sensing of potential areas that might attract insects. • High organic matter • High moisture

  13. Nutrients • Most forage crops are not economically feasible to treat. • Some are. • Hay production is becoming more profitable due to regional droughts. • 2 years ago-round bale of low quality hay sold for $60-90.

  14. Nutrients • Wheat • Corn for silage • Bermudagrass • Green Seeker • Nitrogen Rich Strips and Ramps • Soil Testing • Can increase yield at reduced input cost.

  15. Green Seeker

  16. Opinion • I think that detailed management of forages will only be economical in a commercial setting.

  17. Decisions • Usually mixed communities • Are you encouraging cool season grasses, warm season grasses, legumes, or mixture. • Ultimately • What are you wanting?

  18. Questions?

  19. References http://www.cropoptics.com.au/crop/cropoptics/testimonials.asp http://nue.okstate.edu/Hand_Held/Hand_Held_Pictures.htm http://nue.okstate.edu/Hand_Held/Hand_Held_Pictures.htm http://images.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://vernon.tamu.edu/IRM/forages/CURRENT%2520PROGRAMS/Wheat/Breeding/wheat_1.jpg&imgrefurl=http://vernon.tamu.edu/IRM/forages/CURRENT%2520PROGRAMS/Wheat/Breeding/wheat_breeding.htm&h=1320&w=1020&sz=258&hl=en&start=9&tbnid=ZB0w7WJelpmhNM:&tbnh=150&tbnw=116&prev=/images%3Fq%3Dforage%2Bproduction%26gbv%3D2%26hl%3Den%26sa%3DG http://www.soiltesting.okstate.edu/images/website/Benefits_hay.jpeg http://www.illinoiswildflowers.info/grasses/photos/pr_3awn2.jpg http://images.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://www.co.shawnee.ks.us/images/nwImages/targets/lespedeza1targ.jpg&imgrefurl=http://www.co.shawnee.ks.us/nw/lespedeza.shtm&h=973&w=563&sz=33&hl=en&start=2&um=1&tbnid=CDBrJo9sOvXXjM:&tbnh=149&tbnw=86&prev=/images%3Fq%3Dsericea%2Blespedeza%26um%3D1%26hl%3Den%26sa%3DN http://www.oznet.ksu.edu/dp_hfrr/HortImage/bliste4.jpg

More Related