2002 Table of Contents

Moving From Precision Agriculture to Decision Agriculture

Craig Walters
PACER Corporation

Precision Agriculture industries have produced an abundance of new technology tools. These tools are great for data collection in the beginning and controlling application rates at the end but seem weak in the middle, the decision making process. I will attempt to show some methods to organize and analyze information to enable users to make better decisions, especially regarding the adaptation of direct seeding systems.

Many producers today have purchased equipment or services that provide site specific data about soils fertility, soil quality, crop yield, and pest distribution. While producing interesting information few have utilized this information to generate higher returns to their operation. Many software programs are available to organize, store, and analyze this information. I will demonstrated the basic techniques but not attempt to compare the utility of the various software programs.

I have identified four major categories where these analysis tools will be most useful:

• Identifying problem areas in fields
  
• Testing new methods and practices
  
• Monitoring trends in fields and across farms
  
• Tracking and record keeping

Specific topics to be addressed will include:

• On farm testing with yield monitor maps
  
• Soil sampling with GPS for long term monitoring
  
• Mapping weeds for site specific applications
  
• Tracking pesticides, GMO crops and identity preserved products

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Hans Kok, WSU/UI Extension Conservation Tillage Specialist, UI Ag Science 231, PO Box 442339, Moscow, ID 83844 USA Redesigned by Leila Styer, CAHE Computer Resource Unit; Maintained by Debbie Marsh, Dept. of Crop & Soil Sciences, WSU