Precision Agriculture – is a farming management concept based on observing and responding to yield variations within a field.  The goal of precision agriculture is to optimize yields by moving inputs to areas (zones) within the field where they are more effective.

An example would be variable rate fertilizer application.  In this example, fertilizer is applied at different rates in each management zone to optimize crop yield by zones.  More fertilizer is applied to zones that have higher production potential or low fertility.  While less is applied to, zones that have lower production potential or high fertility.

Creating management zones for Precision Ag systems can be a challenge.  A common question is “What is causing the yield differences within the field?”  Management, fertility levels, crop variety, weed pressures, or soil variations will cause yield variations across a field.  Differences in soil types as illustrated in the example above can be a major contributor to yield differences within the field.  Soil factors affecting crop yield are organic matter content, cation exchange capacity, available water capacity, salinity, and rooting depth are but a few.

Soils are the foundation of any Precision Ag management zone.  Soil production zones are created from areas within a field that have similar soil types and production potential.  These zones are managed separately to optimize yields and soil potential.  Variable rate technology that changes seeding and fertility rates is available to achieve the yield goals of each zone.

Applied Soil Geography (ASG) has the background and expertise to design soil management zone and produces detailed soil maps to for Precision Ag systems.