GPS System Integration and Field Approaches in Precision Farming

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Abstract
Two phases of a precision farming project are described. Phase I consists of the collection of data from four test fields across Alberta using differential GPS (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 indicate that fields are not homogeneous in crop yield when they have been treated without consideration for variability of soil, salinity, topography, or field history. Phase II, which consists of the application of variable-rate fertilizer based on the information gathered in Phase I, is summarized.

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