GPS System Integration and Field Approaches in Precision Farming

Hazen Gehue, M. Elizabeth Cannon, Gérard Lachapelle, Tom W. Goddard and Doug Penney

Abstract:	Two phases of a precision farming project jointly undertaken by Alberta Agriculture, The University of Calgary, and the University of Alberta, are described. Phase I consists in the collection of data from four test fields across Alberta using DGPS combined with crop yield monitors and electromagnetic (EM) ground conductivity meters for measuring salinity. A Geographic Information System (GIS) is used to analyze and combine various layers of information obtained from each field in order to analyze yield variation. Positions better than 50 cm horizontally and 1 m vertically are obtained in DGPS mode using a robust carrier phase smoothing of the code approach. The accuracy of the DGPS positions is verified independently through a crossover point analysis and a comparison with an ambiguity resolution on-the- fly (OTF) solution. DGPS positions are used to generate maps which indicates that fields are not homogeneous in crop yields when they have been treated without considerations for variability of soil, salinity, topography or field history. Phase II, which will consist in the application of variable rate fertilizer based on the information gathered in Phase I, is summarized.
Published in:	Proceedings of the 1994 National Technical Meeting of The Institute of Navigation January 24 - 26, 1994 Catamaran Resort Hotel San Diego, CA
Pages:	549 - 556
Cite this article:	Updated citation: Published in NAVIGATION: Journal of the Institute of Navigation
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