GPS stands for Global Positioning System and refers to a network of satellites which are designed to help determine a radio receiver's position in latitude, longitude, and altitude. GIS stands for a Geographic Information System and is a system, usually computer based, for the input, storage, retrieval, analysis and display of geographic data. The GIS database is usually composed of map-like spatial representations called layers. These layers contain information on a number of attributes.

Variable Rate Solutions and "Variable Rate Pricing"!  We believe at ATGSI that each farm business, field situation, and solution will be different.  For this reason the pricing of the programs will range from $2.97/acre up to $25/acre.  Generally speaking you can expect to spend between $6 and $14/acre for most approaches.  The price boils down to time spent with our specialists, quality of product you choose, desired result and who you are working with on agronomy.  For next years program the price of the program will be re-evaluated and adjusted as certain items in year one such as historical yield analysis, intensive sampling, and up-front setup could be reduced. 

Best way to get pricing is to contact a service provider or ATGSI directly and setup a time to meet. 

You can log your own data in either a truck, tractor, sprayer or combine, but we'd only advise you do this if you are a competent computer user. You will also require some specialist software to actually log the data.  Often, post-collection data cleanup and error correction is required that would be charged in addition to the program rates. 

Another thing to remember is that you'll also need to drive the existing ditch bottoms, so usually this means transferring equipment into a truck or ATV then adjusting the data to match that logged in the larger, higher vehicle. 

This is very hard to estimate as every field is different and has very different characteristics. However, to give an example of the losses that poor drainage might be causing you consider the following:

- If 20% of a 160 acre field is subject to standing water, that is 32 acres.

- If we assume that we are losing on average, 20 busheles per acres on those acres, that's a 640 bushel loss.

- If your field average is 40 bu/ac and you break even at 30bu/ac, then it is taking the profits from another 32 acres to cover the losses on the 32 acres that have drowned out.  In other words, you aren't making money on 64 acres, or 40% of the field. 

- If you could improved the drainage so that you average a 10bu/acre loss on the 32 acres that are prone to standing water, you'd reduce this figure to 20% of the field.

These sorts of statistics, numbers, and calculations are included and can be performed with the drainage recommendation report.  It's importatn to do these calculations on a field by field basis to ensure efforts are economically viable.  In most cases, they are.

There are a variety of methods depending on how serious you are about eliminating all depressions, and your equipment and budget. The most basic approach would be to display our recommendation map on a GPS-enabled laptop or screen in your tractor while out ditching and use this to guide you to the required locations to cut new ditches &/or make improvements to existing ones.  While this doesn't guarantee you'll get the gradients exactly right, you will have your ditches in the right place, and can take note of any that don't perform as well as desired so you can improve them in the next fall. 

The second option is to use a laser. If this is your intention we'll provide a map that you view on-screen on a GPS-enabled laptop where each required cut is labelled with the required gradient. You simply drive to the starting location, set the gradient, and follow the line on the screen to cut the ditch. 

The third and most effective option is to use a GPS guidance system on your scraper or rotary ditcher. Systems such as AGPS DitchPro can be used to control the blade height and cut ditches at the required gradient quickly and easily. You just need to load the base map we provide into the DitchPro console, drive to the start of the ditch to be cut, press a button, then drive along the length of the ditch to be cut, press another button, then sit back and (if you have autosteer) the unit will drive you back to the start of the ditch and keep you on track while it takes care of cutting it too!

We use RTK GPS mounted on a vehicle to map each field. As we drive swaths across the field and along all existing ditches, we log elevation data every few feet. These data are then merged together to create a highly detailed topographic map of the field. GPS accuracy can vary depending on many factors, but through numerous trials we have found that our average vertical accuracy is less than +/-2".

Agri-Trend Imagery products vary in availability and timing.  When we sit down with you to discuss and decide the best options, this is some of what you'll learn:

Low Resolution Historical Landsat Satellite Imagery:

This imagery is sourced from a databased of freely available Landsat Satellite Imagery from the USGS.  We will ask you for field boundaries, preferred years of capture, and come up with a list of available cloud free dates to choose for processing.  We can search back into the late 1990's, but generally like to stay closer to current years for ease of remembering.  For in-season imagery, this can be used, but is not as reliable, quick, or at a good resolution for ground-truthing.  Mutliple years of imagery are available and can be correlated and analyzed.  There isn't minimum acre order requirement.   

High Resolution RapidEye Satellite Imagery:

RapidEye has the ability to capture high resolution (5m) in-season imagery.  The reason is they have 5 satellites orbitting at a high frequency to have the ability to capture and deliver images every 5 days.  The reality is that with cloud cover, we are aiming to achieve 3 images over the growing season.  There is not a minimum acre order requirement and the images can be ordered anywhere in Canada.  We will need Field Name, Crop Type, Acres, and a boundary file. 

High Resolution Real Shot Aerial Imagery:

This image product is at the high resolution of 1 meter, and can be captured in many areas of Western Canada.  There are minimum acre requirements of 1000 acres in a flight zone, and 5000 acres outside of these flight zones.  The flight zones are determined yearly based on volume demand, trained pilots, and previous years capture.  Over time there will be more flight zone availability.  To order you need a field boundary file, field name, acres, crop type, and expected flight capture date. 

In general, all image products once captured are delivered within 48-72 hours after delivery and the consultation with your Agri-Trend Coach begins. 

There are a few choices for in-season imagery for variable rate and a few considerations when choosing what image will work best for you. A great option is high resolution aircraft imagery.  The reason this option proves favourable is because we have the most control over when and where we get the images captured.  Simply put you can order an image, task a flight, and receive a high quality image back in a short period of usually 24-48 hours.  It’s best to place orders early in the season so that flights can be planned around major weather systems, storms, and cloud interference.  With these products because there is direct contact with the pilot, it is possible to react and capture quickly during window of opportunity.  Agri-Trend's aerial product is called Real Shot^TM Imagery. 

The other option for in-season is RapidEye Satellite Imagery.  Because we don't have the remote control ourselves on the satellite constellations, we are relying on the orbiting cycle, daylight hours, and atmospheric conditions to be ideal for a capture.  Some lower resolution satellites revit every 14 days, so if you hit clouds on the day it's over your field, you are nearly 28 days between captures.  This isn't ideal if you are looking for in-season imagery for decision making and application.  The RapidEye company consellation is unique in it's ability that it has 5 satellites in asynchronous orbit and is able to revisit nearly every 5 days during daylight hours and capture 3-5 images per season.  It's also offering high 5 meter resolution at an affordable price for agriculture.  With satellite in-season capture you are playing the odd's a little bit, but look for options that will work in your favour.  

Autosteering machinery today with corrected signal subscriptions seems to be providing pretty decent accuracy under 4-6 inches pass-to-pass.  For most of our seeding and spraying operations this is pretty darn straight and accurate.  Now with RTK corrected signals through networked locations becoming more freely available and affordable, the question of should I upgrade and why seems to be getting asked more often.  There may be a few of us that want the RTK just to have it, but most of us are looking for the other advantages and capabilities that RTK level accuracy (<1in) will bring us.  Here's a few ideas to get started: 

1.  Inter-row seeding.  This is the number one reason that producers seem to relate to as the immediate opportunity.  With an ability to place seed between last years stubble you begin to gain control over factors such as:

a.  A more consistent seed bed during operation that allows equipment openers to maintain consistent down-pressure and precise depth placement and packing

b.  Improved weed control with a consistency in crop competition across the field between the rows

c.  Reduced inter-row competition for water, nutrients, and sunlight

d.  Consistent plant heights, trash control, and harvestability

2.  Precise fertilizer placement.  The opportunity for fall banding of nutrients and the spring application of seed near or around that fall band is realistic.  Creating and seeding into zones of optimal nutrient uptake becomes easier.  Dribble banding high rates post emergent fertilizer precisely around plants and avoiding risks of phytotoxicity.  Deep placement of large amounts of immobile nutrients that can later be woken up with fertilizer placement in the exact same some.

3.  Controlled Traffic Farming (CTF).  Although maybe a couple years out for us, we can get started today with moving towards a controlled traffic system.  The use of RTK for controlled traffic in countries such as Australia, New Zealand, and parts of Europe is proving to be valuable for reducing compaction, maximizing on inter-row input applications with more ease, and improving water infiltration.   

These three opportunities with RTK have and will yield a return.  They won't occur overnight and need proper planning and strategy, but they will make the RTK investment yield more of a return.  Other uses for RTK include reducing overlap and over application of inputs, optional high-speed data in the cab, and maybe even a concept of inter-row cultivation.  Hmmmmm?

No.  We have customers and clients who enter the Agri-Trend experience at a single company level or multiple.  It's very flexible.  In fact, a Geo-Coach can work with your own agronomist or have you make your own agronomy decisions and just provide you with the technical expertise you need.

As you get involved with the Agri-Trend companies, you may find yourself wanting to explore the offerings of the different companies such as Carbon, Marketing, or Agrology.  Transitiioning between companies has been made easy from a data management standpoint and level of service.  The advantages of working in an integrated farm business solution environment is something not to overlook. 

YES.  At Agri-Trend we foster an entreprenurial attitude.  It's our job to support your business and watch you grow.  Educational requirements specific to GIS, Geography, and Computers are beneficial, but not a requirment.  An understanding of agriculture, an open mind, and a willingness to learn are.  Every member of our network brings a different strength to the team.  This is why we lean on each other to get the best results for our growers. 

The beauty of some of the Geo Solutions work is that it can be done remotely over phone, computer, e-mail, and through the data management platform. 

We are a growing company with growing numbers.  If you are interested in our services, give us a call.  We will do our best to make sure you are getting the services and results you are looking for. 

We also work closely with Agri-Trend Agrology who has a well developed network of Agri-Coaches across Canada.  In many situations, a well trained Agri-Coach can deliver the services you are looking for with remote access to a Geo-Coach. 

Pick up the phone, we'd love to hear from you!

No.  A Geo-Coach is a connection point between yourself, your agronomist, and your equipment.  A Geo-Coach is a professional skilled in technology use, GIS data management, and precision agriculture products and tools.  Their job is to remove complexity, lower anxiety, and extract the most value from investment in equipment, data collection, and agronomy consulting.  They aren't just a geek squad though, they commonly have agriculture training, grew up in a rural setting, and have a passion for working with farmers. 

Geo-Coach's will provide you with the information around site-specific management and in-field variability and get you past the pretty coloured map.  They can perform analyzations, correlations, prescription generation, and ROI analysis for you.