Why do we need precision agriculture?
UK farming is now a multi-billion pound industry. It produces more than it ever has with less staff and land due to towns and cities expanding in to the countryside and demanding more of our agricultural production industry to house, feed and clothe the population.
Precision agriculture is not a new idea and as such has been approached from many angles through the years including:
- Improving conditions for the operator so they can concentrate more easily and not fatigue as quickly therefore increasing precision and repeatability of the task being performed.
- Using a steering guide to steer the tractor or tell the operator where to be in the field allowing them to focus more on running the implement.
- Automating tasks on the implement therefore reducing stress on the operator.
- Improving gearboxes to allow more precise choice of operating speeds.
- Smart implements designed to more precisely do the job they are built for.
History
1963 The first production full powershift transmission
1973 Allis Chalmers were the first with load sensing hydraulics
1979 First row sensing autosteer on a combine, fingers mounted on the header are directly connected to the combine steering system.
1979 The first sprayers to accurately measure the flow of pesticides with the ability to shut off individual sprayer nozzles.
1986 Massey Ferguson introduces the first electronic lift control 3-point hitch as standard equipment on its tractors. It offers fast and precise control of height, draft sensing, rate of drop, as well as depth control to automatically maintain any pre-selected depth.
1992 The first accurate combine yield monitor
1992 The first global positioning system (GPS) lightbar system comes to market
1992 First recorded time of RTK being used on a salt harvester
1993 Trimble releases RTK to public
1994 Farmers begin to use GPS receivers to determine which areas need specific amounts of fertilizer and pesticides. Farmers combine this data with yield information, weather forecasts and soil type analysis in spreadsheets.
1995 Fendt introduces the first continuously variable transmission known as Vario
1999 The first commercially available automated steering system for farm equipment using GPS.
2001 The first successful implementation of sub-inch steering for a tractor with a front-mounted implement.
2001 The universal ISOBUS connection was formally revealed at the Agritechnica show.
2003 Boom height control system to accurately control spray booms during high-speed spraying
2004 Fendt introduces the Tractor Management System, an electronic software interface between the engine and transmission to control engine speed relative to ground speed. It maximizes power to the ground and fuel efficiency
2006 The first implement steering system based on RTK GPS
2006 Planters are available for the first time with the ability to shut off individual rows
2007 Telematics are first introduced for tractors as a retrofit option
2008 Guidance is connected to the headland management system for the first time in a production tractor allowing it to take over control as the tractor approaches a headland, automatically decreases ground speed, lifts the implement, steers the tractor into the next area and then reengages the implement.
2011 The Fendt/Trimble Guide Connect system features a driverless tractor that automatically follows another tractor running ahead in a field.
What’s on offer today
Guidance systems
Trimble
EGNOS provides a one time purchase subscription free option for farmers looking to increase accuracy and repeatability of tasks but its sub metre accuracy may not be suitable for all tasks.
RangePoint RTX offers a track-to-track accuracy of 6 inches.
CentrePointRTX offers sub inch accuracy.
RTK (real-time kinematic positioning signals) offers the top level of precision guidance by utilising a base on the farm to reference its satellite signals against and correct errors in positioning for sub-inch accuracy. These systems are also capable of EGNOS signal with 6–8-inch accuracy as a backup if RTK is having problems or you are working ground where no base is available.
NovAtel SMAR7 receivers can support various signals depending on your budget and precision requirements.
EGNOS provides a one time purchase subscription free option for farm managers looking to increase accuracy and repeatability of tasks but its sub metre accuracy may not be suitable for all tasks.
TerraStar-L increases accuracy from sub metre to sub decimetre and improves reliability of the connection in areas where EGNOS may struggle
TerraStar-C Pro is NovaTel’s fastest connection, this offers sub inch accuracy at far less money than a full RTK setup
RTK (real-time kinematic positioning signals) offers the top level of precision guidance by utilising a base on the farm to reference its satellite signals against and correct errors in positioning for sub-inch accuracy. These systems are also capable of EGNOS signal with 6–8-inch accuracy as a backup if RTK is having problems or you are working ground where no base is available.
ISOBUS
This is what allows your tractor and implement to talk to each other regardless of brands. This can be a huge help in reducing fatigue to the operator as the implement controls will be displayed on the screen making it easier to use. When paired with a guidance system thismeans the implement will automatically do what is required in each part of the field allowing the operator to focus on ensuring everything is working at maximum efficiency.
TIM
(Total implement management) is exactly what it says on the tin. This system takes full control of checking sensors on the implement and adjusting the tractor and implement to suit. Baling with a TIM spec tractor and baler for example would have the system monitoring the bale density and stopping the tractor exactly as the bale hits the target density, netting, wrapping and ejecting the bale then setting the tractor off again without input from the driver.
SMART Top link
This is connected to your ISOBUS tractor to ensure the fertiliser spreader remains perfectly level throughout your load distribution increasing its efficiency by up to £17 per hectare.
Section Control - The ability to turn on or off sections of your implements for example when fertiliser spreading to reduce overlap or missed sections ensuring a more even spread.
Variable rate/Weigh cell systems - By weighing the material to be spread as you are going, the implement can alter settings to ensure the correct amount is spread onto each area of the field. This either ensures even spread throughout or when paired with GPS mapping technology and soil/crop analysis, ensures you can place the muck/fertiliser etc exactly where it is most needed.
Management systems - FendtOne provides the operator and office staff with a real time link recording data and sharing it instantly to the office computer as well as receiving data from the office.
MF and Fendt both offer connected telematics services to allow dealers and owners to proactively book maintenance for when machines are not going to be in use. These systems can also receive error codes instantly and get those issues fixed before any downtime is caused. This also offers farmers the ability to check fuel levels, tractor location, hours, next service due etc of their entire fleet on their phone in seconds.
How do I know what I’ve got?
ISOBUS plug
If your tractor has ISOBUS compatibility built in it will have a plug like this one on the rear of the tractor near the spool valves and will say ISO11783-2 on it.
Screen
If your screen is guidance ready you will find in the menu a symbol like this one circled in red which you can use to access the guidance screen once you have an antenna connected.
If your screen has ISOBUS capability you will find a symbol like the one in yellow which will take you to the ISOBUS screen once an ISOBUS machine has been attached and plugged in.
Antenna plug
If your Massey Ferguson is guidance ready it will have a plug like this one on the roof ready for you to attach your receiver to.
If you have a Fendt tractor you may find a dome in the cab which is where your GPS receiver will be mounted, this is to aid in the security of the system once fitted.
Choosing what suits your business
While we have tried to give an overview of the different ways manufacturers have attempted to improve efficiency in agriculture in this article we can’t cover everything and every farm/business is different. To learn more and understand the benefits of precision agriculture for your business please get in touch and speak to one of our experienced representatives today.