Each field has its own unique imprint - FRENDT LLC

Each field has its own unique imprint

Yield mapping: determining the history of a field

Knowing the full history of the farm and each field can help agricultural producers apply an accurate approach to working on the land and use their resources efficiently. For example, yield mapping will have a significant benefit in increasing profitability and reducing the costs for the finished product output.

But what information or data do manufacturers need to accurately figure out the history? This is a comprehensive question, and a lot of information is given in response to it. What of this is really valuable and expedient? Let’s try and find out further together.

Production culture

Almost every farm collects information. Some has it stored on field terminals or smartphones, and some has it in notebooks or diaries. The most important thing is how to use this data to get the maximum result.

Before we plunge into high technology, we need to make sure that we make the right management decisions in our fields, which relate to the following activities:

● crop rotation;

● seeds selection;

● usage of the proper power systems;

● crop protection.

In this case you have to clearly understand that the most obvious agronomic problems are solved and errors are corrected. Our team calls this a well-established production culture.

Identifying the causes of low yield

In each field there are high-, medium- and low-yield zones, which from year to year provide high, medium and low yield indexes respectively. Generally, at all farms the average harvest from the field is considered. If it is high, no one works with low-yield zones. If it is low, it is considered that the main reason is the deterioration of weather and climatic conditions.

Every high- or low-yield area in the field does not necessarily perform poorly for certain reasons – there are many factors and they are mostly different. To determine the reasons, you need to conduct a series of measurements:

  • Conducting agrochemical analysis.
  • Electrical conductivity measurements. The data shows that red is high electrical conductivity and blue is low.
  • The specifics of the interaction of moisture with the solid fraction, which is expressed in the presence of bonds of different physical and chemical nature.
  • Meteorological conditions. Weather monitoring systems will allow you to track weather conditions during the season and determine exactly those aspects that affected the yield index.
  •  Soil compaction (hardness) monitoring. Studying the dynamics of changes in soil hardness allows to understand what property of the soil we have and what is inherent in this type of soil, as well as to establish the mechanical effect of the soil treatment system.
  • Regular conducting of high-quality crop scouting. This is the process of collecting information in the form of specified parameters.
  • Yield mapping. The process of creation of crop yield maps.

The correctness of the approach to determining productivity zones begins with the crop rotation of the farm. Crops are indicated by year and certain yield mapping algorithms are used, that is, a picture of the zones in the field for several years is built. Initially, such maps were used to analyze two variables: crop yield and moisture content.

You don’t have the technology to allocate productivity zones after you have done the yield mapping? Then the key to success is to address specialists who are experts in these matters. The engineers of the FRENDT company use special programs and high-quality equipment for yield mapping and conduct expert field assessment. We will help you not to waste time on the way to improving your productivity.

Yield mapping for cereals

Based on the results of many years of work, the experts of the FRENDT company conclude that it is most effective to obtain data using yield mapping for cereals as their yield correlates with them.

Although yield data helps to reflect a part of history of the field, it does not fully explain why a particular area has a high or low yield. To answer these questions, producers need to look further and consider more than just yield data. Though the good news is that we can already see how “motley” the fields are.

Another important part of finding out the full history of the field is creating an accurate terrain map. Altitude data is best collected using global satellite navigation, which supports RTK accuracy corrections.

As a result of the combined analysis of crop yield and terrain data, we can better understand the origin of different zones. In general, productivity will be lower in heavily eroded hilly areas. In the lowlands, where there is a higher content of organic substances and better moisture retention, areas high productivity areas are located.

Even having the information farmers need to make sure they are on the right track. You need to listen to your agriculturists’ advice and cooperate with companies that are engaged in the implementation of precision agriculture. Experts use figures, so they draw accurate correct conclusions.

After collecting data on yield and terrain, it is advisable to monitor compaction and conduct agrochemical soil surveys. Then you will move towards a stable performance of all the areas in the fields.

Tip: If you look at your maps and see areas of the field that are stable every year with low yields and cannot be improved by any agronomic measures, then you need to think about whether it is worth investing time, seeds and fertilizers there.

The FRENDT company has all the necessary tools, knowledge base and a team of specialists to help you invest in those solutions and technologies that are profitable, as well as to abandon those investments where you can lose money and time.