Steps To Precision Agriculture By Benedict T Palen Jr

After zone mapping a field with the VERIS machine, it would be worthwhile for a farmer to compare the results with NRCS soils maps.  In many instances, those soils maps are more than 40 years old, and their margin of error could be plus or minus five to ten acres—as compared to sub inch accuracy with GPS devices and today’s high tech tools for agriculture.

 

The soils from each of the zones in a field should be sampled, and then lab results obtained that will provide details on nutrient levels, but also for organic matter, pH, and soil texture.  It is important to know the inherent fertility in a particular soil, the water holding capacity of that soil, and the potential for enhancement of crop yields on each soil type.

This precision soil testing will likely involve hundreds, if not thousands, of soil tests on a typical farm.  While there is a cost associated with this task, these are some of the best dollars that a farmer can spend to gain an in depth understanding of the “bones” of the farm.  

Further, it will then be possible to do a cost/benefit analysis for the precision ag tools needed to implement a changed farming program, along with the change in inputs needs (more in some areas of a field, less in others), so that a precision farming budget can be developed.   In those cases where a farmer seeks additional financing to make these changes, the level of detail produced from the zone soil mapping, and the subsequent financial analysis, can be a persuasive tool for lenders.  Likewise, on rented land, with leases where there is landlord participation in certain costs, the same could be true as far as getting some financial participation from the owner for these improvements.