The information gathered and improved application accuracy delivered have immediate long term and above all, positive effects on the bottom line. At paddock level, precision farming technology is already delivering savings with more efficient spreading and spraying. And on the broader stage, world markets are demanding quality assurance. We have to meet their requirements to be able to demand premium prices - or perhaps to just make a sale. By John Nolan and Rob Kiernan.
Yield mapping is a relatively new but rapidly growing concept in Australian farming.
But even in these early days, basic yield mapping is being extended with a new technique called 'real time' or 'on the go' yield mapping. During the 1997 Western Australia winter crop harvest farmers tried out the concept of real time yield mapping. In addition to a yield monitor and GPS receiver, real time yield mapping requires a colour computer screen in the cab of the harvester. The yield map is drawn on the screen as the crop is harvested. This allows the driver to immediately start to evaluate the yield map and think about possible causes for high and low yielding areas.