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Intensive Soil Sampling
This profile of intensive sampling at Loveall's Field in Southern Minnesota was prepared by the Precision Agriculture Center as a tool for exploring the value of site specific information for managing fertility. The project consist of a CD-ROM containing a long (1.5 to 2 hours) and short (45 minutes) presentation, a book of maps and charts and an 11 page presentation guide. The presentations are in Powerpoint format.
Learning Objectives:
Observe how sampling intensity and sampling methods affect fertility recommendations and management.
Evaluate the cost effectiveness of intensive sampling and variable rate application.
Use site specific information to make management decisions.
Yield Mapping Software Comparison
Yield maps are excellent tools for troubleshooting and quantifying relative yield differences within a field. As people being to collect and compare maps over time; however, the absolute numbers behind the maps, such as average yield and total acres, become more important. Consistent figures are critical for uses such as land purchase or rent negotiations, insurance claims, and regional research on product performance.
To check for consistency between farm mapping software packages, we conducted a small trial using data from three fields. The four packages we tested all identified the same high and low areas within the fields; however we found ranges up to 27 acres in field size and 9 bushels per acre in average yield. Many of these differences are due to proprietary filtering techniques in the software.
Learning Objectives
Check for the consistency of total field acres.
Check for the consistency of average yield values.
Check for similarities in relative patterns within the yield maps.
Revenue Maps - Quantifying Field Returns
The revenue map project consists of sets of revenue maps and tables from field "problem areas". By using revenue maps we can quantify the "problem" area to help in determining a future management strategy.
List of Included Revenue Maps
Drainage Tile
Hybrid Selection
Iron Chlorosis
Weed Pressure
White Mold
Wheat Protein
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Sample VRT Summary Chart
Sample Map of pH
Sample Iron Chlorosis Revenue Map
Sample Iron Chlorosis Revenue Chart