Variable Rate Pesticide
Pesticides control weeds, diseases, and insects. The opportunity to identify "hot spots" in a field to site specifically apply pesticides most commonly happens from the top down with an analysis of the vegetation density and health. For this we utilize our Imagery programs. Soil attributes and their variability definitely play a role in the pressures of pests, so if we've got that info and throw that into the decision it's likely we may be able to react more proactively for pest control in the future.
As examples of VRT Pesticide, with remote sensed imagery, we can detect patchy weed areas such as wild oats or thistle or areas of high risk for sclerotinia disease in canola. We can't forget to ground-truth to make sure the image is telling us what we think it is. The nice part of VRT Pesticides in a sprayer is that sprayer VRT technology is relatively easy to use. Combined with automated sectional control, the input savings of VRT Pesticide can really add up.
So how can a fungicide decision get a little easier for you? Why not utilize in-season remote sensing such as Real Shot™ or RapidEye™ to identify canola crop vegetation density that will be most subject to sclerotinia disease infection and has the most yield potential worth protecting? Chop that image into 3 management zones, and make a VRT application decision based on the map. This is what we are doing in parts of Western Canada for sclerotinia control in Canola. See the below example to understand how.
Step 1: Order an In-Season High Resolution Image
Choices: High Resolution RapidEye Satellite, High Resolution Real Shot Aerial
Order Time: Place the order a month in advance for mid June capture
Step 2: Recieve delivery of the image and ground-truth or have your Agri-Trend Coach Ground-truth
How:
- Take the image in a GPS handled to the field and walk to different areas
- Use the Sclerotinia Checklist in each field area to gauge risk of disease
- Incorporate historical field knowledge and future weather patterns
Step 3: Relay the results of the ground-truthing and have Geo-Coach create 3 management zones
- Adjust management zones as needed after automation
- Indicate to Geo-Coach rates of application to apply
- Zone 1 - No Application
- Zone 2 - Reduced Risk, Reduced Label Rate Application
- Zone 3 - Full Rate Application
Step 4: Incorporate Rx card into sprayer and apply
Load up Rx card into VRT Sprayer Controller
Leave a test strip for proper research evaluation
Step 5: Calculate your ROI, Risk Reduction, and evaluated yield results
- Use this example ROI Calculator to predict economic returns
