Can we create an accurate manure application map from GPS and weight or flow data?
Applied Research
Rich Meinert
Associate Extension Educator
University of Connecticut
Torrington
Abstract
If you think you know where your manure, (or fertilizer, lime, herbicide, insecticide or any other material) you applied on your farm fields actually went, you need to think again! Current material application maps available from commercial agricultural GPS providers do not accurately depict where applied material reaches the ground. These packages don’t calculate, nor do they graphically represent, 1) the differential rate of material applied on the inside versus the outside of turns, 2) the movement of machinery in a turn using arcs rather than straight lines and 3) the cumulative quantity of material that results when overlap occurs. These flaws represent a major problem. Without accurate maps how does one supplement with fertilizer? If the material is applied using a spreader that cannot be turned off, there is another issue. Our algorithm shows that the portion of the application on the inside of a turning spreader receives twice the desired application rate, and the outside of the turn receives only 40% of the desired application rate. This difference results in a continuously operating spreader placing a lot of excess manure at the edges of a field, exactly where we don’t want over application - due to possible runoff. The current state of the art for material application equipment, and the software used to create application maps, is such that the agricultural industry has no proof that it is following the four R’s, and farmers have no idea where supplemental fertilizer needs to be applied. Without accurate as applied maps the current agricultural GPS providers are providing farmers and regulators with a false sense of security based on inaccurate maps. Research at the University of Connecticut offers the industry a chance to do better.
Poster has NOT been presented at any previous NACAA AM/PIC
This poster is being submitted for judging. It will be displayed at the AM/PIC if not selected as a State winner. The abstract will be published in the proceedings.
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Authors: Richard Meinert
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Meinert, R. Associate Extension Educator, University of Connecticut, Connecticut, 06790