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About Us - Dallas County
County Impact Statements
GPS Technology: Not Just for Guiding Missiles Anymore
Global Positioning Systems (GPS) is a navigation technology that
is being used more and more by the general public for locating
exactly where we are on the face of the earth. GPS was developed by
the U.S. Department of Defense (DOD) as a worldwide navigation and
positioning resource for both military and civilian use. Today, it
is widely used by the civilian public for both commercial and
recreational use.
Traditional soil samples are taken by taking one composite sample
on each field and then applying the same amount of nutrients over
the entire field. By using GPS technology, a producer can customize
the nutrient applications and save money.
A forage producer in the county was having trouble reaching
maximum potential of a hay meadow. To determine exactly what the
nutrient patterns were in the eight-acre field, forty-six soil
samples were taken and identified by GPS coordinates. Once the
analyses of the samples were received, the GPS coordinates were
downloaded from the GPS receiver into a spreadsheet; then the soil
sample data was entered into the spreadsheet corresponding to the
GPS coordinates of that sample. Once everything was entered, using a
special software package, color-coded maps were generated for each
soil nutrient entered into the spreadsheet. Once the maps were
generated, the producer could see accurately where more or less
fertilizer was needed.
Impacts
- Producer was able to locate exact spots in field that could
be problem areas.
- Based on the color-coded maps, the producer could save
approximate $100 in liming costs and about $50 on potash by
putting out variable rates of lime and potash.
- Data was presented at a cattlemen's meeting and in
agriculture newsletter showing the results of the value of using
variable rates.
- In today's high cost of fertilizer and lime, producers can
no longer add nutrients in a general pattern, but must be more
concerned with adding nutrients only where needed.
- As shown by this demonstration, GPS technology is a tool
that can help producers customize their applications and save
money.
Hay meadow showing soil samples identified by GPS coordinates |
