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The use of GPS and mobile mapping for decision-based precision agriculture  Michael Rasher USDA-NRCS National Cartography & Geospatial centre FWFC, Bldg. 24, Room - 10, Forth worth, TX. 76115 mrasher@ftw.nrcs.usda.gov Abstract Precision Agriculture has evolved from a concept a half a decade ago into an emerging technology today. Precision Agriculture is often described as the next great evolution in agriculture. With an ever growing world population subject to famine, natural disasters, disease, and conflict, changes must be made in agriculture to meet world concerns while remaining committed to sustaining the natural resources need for future production. Precision agriculture may be the next great evolution in agriculture; provided that it is understood, easily applied, and produces results. The catalyst for the emergence of Precision agriculture has been satellite positioning and navigation. The combination of Global Positioning System (GPS) and mobile mapping provide the agriculturist with a new capability of gathering information for implementing decision-based Precision Agriculture. Introduction The purpose of this paper is to (1) determine what precision agriculture is and to offer ideas on expanding the concept to a more useful solution, (2) to describe how Global Positioning System (GPS) and mobile mapping are integral components of decision-based precision agriculture and (3) provide sources for additional information. What is Precision Agriculture? Precision agriculture is relative new and lacks a recognized and useful definition. To better understand the need for an accurate definition of precision agriculture lets look at how precision agriculture is being considered. Precision agriculture is considered a concept, management strategy, and even a philosophy. Concept It is said, “Precision agriculture is a phrase that captures the imagination of many concerned with the production of food, feed, and fiber.” The concept of precision agriculture offers the promise of increasing productivity while decreasing production cost and minimizing environmental impacts. Precision agriculture conjures up images of farmers overcoming the elements with computerized machinery that is precisely controlled via satellites and local sensors and using planning software that accurately predicts crop development. This image has been called the future of agriculture.1 Management Strategy Most management strategies for precision agriculture match resource applications and agronomic practices with soil properties and crop requirements as they vary across a site. Sometimes referred to as site-specific or prescription application and generally includes:
Philosophy Precision agriculture is the ability to manage land by the square meter instead of the square mile. Precision agriculture is changing the farmers and rancher's relationship with the land. "Through the ages agriculture production systems have benefited from the incorporation of technological advances primarily developed for other industries. The industrial age brought mechanization and synthesized fertilizers, the technological age offered genetic engineering and now the information age brings the potential for Precision Agriculture." What Precision Agriculture Should Be! Precision agriculture is an information-based, decision-making agricultural System designed to improve the agricultural process by precisely managing each step to ensure maximum agricultural production and continued sustainability of the natural resources. Lets look at this definition more closely: Information-based, decision-making system Farming and ranching have always been a gamble. There are so many variables, many of which the producer has no control over. Some of the variables can be reduced or eliminated when the producer has information, which enables them to make decisions, they were unable to before. Precision agricultural can provide the producer accurate and timely information for making decisions. Designed to improve the agricultural process Precision agriculture is technologically feasible as well as being economically and environmentally justifiable. Improving the agricultural process can maximizes financial return and increases the stewardship of land, water, and related natural resources. Precisely managing each step to ensure maximum production Most producers would admit that increasing yields is their number one goal. But increasing yields may have a negative effect on the financial return. Precision agriculture enables the producer to reduce production cost and increase the potential for greater yields.
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