Practical Mathematics for Precision Farming

As the public and producers becomes more aware of the environmental and economic benefits of precision farming, there has been increased demand for quality training to accurately evaluate spatial variability within fields. Practical Mathematics in Precision Farming provides hand-on training and examples for certified crop consultants (CCAs), farmers, crop consultants, and students (both undergraduate and graduate) on how to conduct to conduct and analyze on-farm studies, write simple programs, use precision techniques to scout for pests and collect soil samples, develop management zones, determine the cost of production, assess the environmental consequences of precision techniques, understand soil test results, and develop site-specific nutrient and plant population algorithms. Using real agronomic examples, the reader is taught the crucial task of managing products and inputs for application at the right rate, place, and time.

Chapter 1. A Guide to Making Mathematics Practical 7 Jo Clay Chapter 2. Simple Programming for Automating Precision Farming Calculations 39 Aaron J. Franzen, C. Gregg Carlson, Cheryl L. Reese, and David E. Clay Chapter 3. An Introduction to Experimental Design and Models 53 David E. Clay, Gary Hatfield, and Sharon A. Clay Chapter 4. Mathematics of Longitude and Latitude 65 David E. Clay, Terry A. Brase, and Graig Reicks Chapter 5. Spatial Statistics 75 Gary Hatfield Chapter 6. Soil Sampling and Understanding Soil Testing Results for Precision Farming 105 David E. Clay, Clay Robinson, and Thomas M. DeSutter Chapter 7. Calculations Supporting Management Zones 123 David E. Clay, Newell R. Kitchen, Emmanuel Byamukama, and Stephanie A. Bruggeman Chapter 8. Understanding Soil Water and Yield Variability in Precision Farming 137 David E. Clay and T.P. Trooien Chapter 9. Developing Prescriptive Soil Nutrient Maps 149 Richard B. Ferguson, Joe D. Luck, and Rachel Stevens Chapter 10. Essential Plant Nutrients, Fertilizer Sources, and Application Rates Calculations 167 Jiyul Chang, David E. Clay, Brian Arnall, and Graig Reicks Chapter 11. Deriving and Using an Equation to Calculate Economic Optimum Fertilizer and Seeding Rates 181 Scott Fausti, Bruce J. Erickson, David E. Clay, and C. Gregg Carlson Chapter 12. Cost of Crop Production 191 Scott Fausti and Tong Wang Chapter 13. Mathematics Associated with Seed Emergence, Plant Population, Stand Uniformity, and Harvest Losses 201 Stephanie A. Bruggeman, Sharon A. Clay, Cheryl L. Reese, and C. Gregg Carlson Chapter 14. Estimating Weed and Insect Development, In-Season Yield Losses, and Economic Thresholds 209 Sharon A. Clay and Adam Varenhorst Chapter 15. Determining the Economic Optimum Rate for Second Polynomial Plateau Models 225 Christopher J. Graham, David E. Clay, and Stephanie A. Bruggeman Chapter 16. A Site-Specific Fertilizer Program Assessment Using Soil and Nutrient Removal Benchmarks 231 David E. Clay Chapter 17. Understanding Grain Moisture Percentage and Nutrient Contents for Precision Grain Moisture 241 Cheryl L. Reese and C. Gregg Carlson Chapter 18. Calculating the Impacts of Agriculture on the Environment and How Precision Farming Can Reduce These Consequences 247 Clay Robinson Index 263