Looking for answers on what is yield monitoring and mapping in precision farming? Learn how Agxactly can help you adopt a yield monitoring system for better management and marketing.
What is yield monitoring and mapping in precision farming? And why is it being touted as the solution to the threatened agricultural sustainability?
The world population is increasing rapidly, whereas food production is not. Couple this with the climate change challenge, and you will see why many farmers are embracing agricultural technology like the yield monitoring system to address the ever-increasing challenge of sustainable food production.
But what is the potential of the yield and mapping technology, and what is it in the first place?
This blog explores the answers to these questions and how we at Agxactly can help you adopt yield monitoring and mapping technology for increased productivity and profits.
What is Yield Monitoring and Mapping in Precision Farming?
Yield mapping entails gathering geo-referenced data about crop yields and other parameters in real-time during harvesting.
You can also view it as an advanced form of precision farming technology that uses data from various sources to give farmers more information about their yields, moisture, and count, among others.
These farm data insights help achieve several economic benefits of precision farming such as field map generation for better decision-making about expected harvest and the next planting season.
Credit: Medium. A drone map showing a crop field
This farming technology has its roots in the 1990s and uses geospatial tools for farm data insights. However, yield monitoring and mapping technology has advanced over the years, and farmers today can use a combination of tools for better results.
Generally, the parameters measured produce a field map with different colors signifying a particular zone or range for interpretation.
Additionally, depending on your precision needs and the number of parameters measured, the generated field map zones can be more or less.
Components of a Yield Mapping and Monitoring System
The field mapping and monitoring technology is not static. It changes from farmer to farmer, but the basics are similar.
Furthermore, a yield monitoring system or software is highly customizable to meet the needs of specialty crop farmers.
Some of the components that make up the yield monitor system include;
Sensors
These include the hardware that collects and transmits data, such as moisture, speed, and grain flow sensors.
The sensors measure grain moisture, the speed of the harvester, and crop quantity, respectively.
Yield monitor display
This is a display screen fitted on the harvester provides a real-time display of all farm insights from the various sensors.
Yield monitor display: Youtube
GPS receiver
This provides an accurate location of the different sensors within your field. It measures speed, and altitude, among other geospatial data, to generate better yield maps.
The Role, Application, and Benefits of Yield Mapping or Yield Monitoring Systems in Precision Farming
The end goal of yield mapping and monitoring is generating yield maps. These help farmers have more insights into low, average, and high-yielding farm areas.
A typical yield map after data gathering
In fact, this data is at the center of precision farming technology, thus the importance of yield mapping and monitoring.
Furthermore, the field maps help farmers and farm managers decide how to sustain the high-yielding areas and input variability to improve the low-yielding areas.
Overall, yield mapping and monitoring help in;
Making Irrigation Decisions
One of the major parameters measured in yield monitoring is moisture content. Thus, if a zone has inadequate moisture, it is possible to see this and make proper irrigation decisions for crops to receive precise water for optimal growth.
Making Financial Decisions
Yield estimation from yield monitoring systems helps farmers secure loans. It also allows them to calculate crops' value, which is essential in marketing.
Tillage Decisions
Over-tillage may hurt the overall production. But a yield monitoring technology lets you know which farm areas need more tillage in combination with variable input application.
Improve Efficiency
By using the data collected by a yield mapping or yield monitoring system, you can determine how your operation is performing on a field-by-field basis.
This allows you to identify areas that need improvement, from irrigation and nutrient levels to planting density and crop rotation.
You can then make changes accordingly to improve productivity and reduce costs.
Get Help in Mapping and Monitoring Your Yields
A yield mapping and monitoring system is a fantastic precision agriculture tool for farmers who want to make better farm decisions, especially for product marketing.
It's easy to track your field's progress throughout the season, allowing you to know your yield estimates and value and improve your efficiency and planning.
If you are looking to get started with a yield monitoring and mapping system, Agxactly, a precision agriculture technology company, is the best place to help you. Over the years, we have worked with several clients who report improved yield mapping and monitoring.
Call us today, and we will help you address your yield mapping and monitoring in precision farming needs.