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Variable Rate Variable Rate Technology in Aerial Technology in Aerial Application Application
A presentation forA presentation forAg-Pro ExpoAg-Pro ExpoAtlanta, GAAtlanta, GA
February, 2007February, 2007
VRT utilizes VRT utilizes improvements in improvements in multiple technologiesmultiple technologies AircraftAircraft GPS Swath GuidanceGPS Swath Guidance Aerial imaging and Prescription Aerial imaging and Prescription
MapsMaps Dispersal SystemDispersal System
Air Tractor aircraftAir Tractor aircraft
Leader in the industryLeader in the industry
Turbine-powered aircraft ranging from Turbine-powered aircraft ranging from 400 to 800 gallon capacity400 to 800 gallon capacity
Air Tractor aircraftAir Tractor aircraft
Highly productive Can efficiently treat a variety of
field sizes, application rates, and ferry distances
Spray Pattern / Drift Spray Pattern / Drift MinimizationMinimization Extensive research to design optimal Extensive research to design optimal
boom and nozzle placementboom and nozzle placement
Excellent spray pattern; Excellent spray pattern; aerodynamically clean fuselage aerodynamically clean fuselage reduces turbulence and drift potentialreduces turbulence and drift potential
GPS – Swath GuidanceGPS – Swath Guidance
Main players: Satloc Main players: Satloc and Del Norte merged to and Del Norte merged to form Hemisphere Airform Hemisphere Air
GPS adopted by majority GPS adopted by majority of aerial applicatorsof aerial applicators
Flow control capability Flow control capability has been in place for has been in place for past decade.past decade.
Aerial VRT started 2003Aerial VRT started 2003
Satloc systemSatloc system
Imaging / Prescription Imaging / Prescription MapsMaps In TimeIn Time
– Digital Infrared Digital Infrared Aerial ImageryAerial Imagery
– Scout Map to Scout Map to Prescription Prescription Map in minutesMap in minutes
John Deere John Deere Agri-ServicesAgri-Services
Wilbur EllisWilbur Ellis
Imaging / Mapping Imaging / Mapping ResearchResearch
USDA Agricultural Research Service USDA Agricultural Research Service conducting Remote Sensing Studies with conducting Remote Sensing Studies with an Air Tractor for:an Air Tractor for:– Weed detectionWeed detection– Detection of insect habitatDetection of insect habitat– Insect and disease damageInsect and disease damage– Nutrient statusNutrient status– Determining the onset of plant water stress Determining the onset of plant water stress
using thermal imagery using thermal imagery
GPS
Videomonitor
Remote
External GPSantenna (opt.)
SATLOC GPS
Camera
VMS
Fiber optic cable
Camera status indicator
Air Tractor 402B
Digital Video Digital Video InstrumentationInstrumentation
Weed detection:Weed detection:Original imageOriginal image
Johnsongrass
Cotton in rows
Spurges
Weed detection:Weed detection:Processed imageProcessed image
Red = Johnson grass
Yellow = Spurge
Green = Cotton
Black = Unclassified
Dispersal Systems for Dispersal Systems for VRTVRT Engine-driven Hydraulic Spray
System: Kawak Aviation Technologies– Controls flow rate by varying speed
of pump– Rate changes in milliseconds– Zero-rate capable– Cost: app. $50,000
Paired with AutoCal flow controller by Houma Avionics
Installation on AT-402BInstallation on AT-402B
Installation on AT-402BInstallation on AT-402B
Installation on AT-402BInstallation on AT-402B
Dispersal Systems Dispersal Systems (cont.)(cont.) DC Powered Electric SystemDC Powered Electric System
– Controls rate by an electric valve, such as Satloc Aerial Ace
– Rate changes are slower than with full hydraulic system
– Zero rates are controlled by a separate hydraulic shutoff valve
– Cost: app. $27,000
Nozzles for VRTNozzles for VRT
Veri-rate by Spray TargetVeri-rate by Spray Target– Designed specifically for Variable Designed specifically for Variable
Rate Aerial ApplicationRate Aerial Application– Keeps droplet size within proper Keeps droplet size within proper
spectrum regardless of pressurespectrum regardless of pressure
AE-50 NozzleAE-50 Nozzle
Pressure Pressure variation from variation from 30 – 60 PSI30 – 60 PSI
Flow rate Flow rate variation from variation from 0.3 to 3.0 GPM0.3 to 3.0 GPM
Rate change Rate change response time is response time is .25 seconds.25 seconds
Advantages of Aerial Advantages of Aerial VRTVRT Accuracy: USDA study (Smith & Thomson, Accuracy: USDA study (Smith & Thomson,
2005)2005)– Flowrate error due to flow controller: Flowrate error due to flow controller: .77%.77%– Flowrate error due to rate change timing: Flowrate error due to rate change timing:
3.04%3.04% Faster than ground applicationFaster than ground application No crop damage from wheel tracks No crop damage from wheel tracks Cost savings from reduced chemicalsCost savings from reduced chemicals Environmental benefitEnvironmental benefit
Accuracy of Aerial VRTAccuracy of Aerial VRT
Prescription Map
Actual Applied
Accuracy of Aerial VRTAccuracy of Aerial VRT
Prescription Map
Actual Applied
2
3
4
6
1 Lowest Biomass
7 Highest Biomass
5
0 gpa
2.5 gpa, Pix @ 10 fl oz, Bidrin @ 5.13 fl oz, Boron @ 2.5 fl oz
3.0 gpa
4.0 gpa
0 gpa
4.0 gpa, Pix @ 16 fl oz, Bidrin @ 8.2 fl oz, Boron @ 4.0 fl oz
3.0 gpa
Variable Rate (VR) PGR/Insecticide/Boron ApplicationLocation:
Arkansas Delta
Crop: Cotton
Field Size: 422.01 Acres
Imagery Acquired: July 5, 2004
VR Treatment Applied: July 8, 2004
Chemical Cost of Variable Rate Application:
$5.85/Acre
Blanket application equivalent to the 3 gpa rate:
$9.39/Acre.
Cost savings: $3.54/acre
Scout Map
Prescription Map
Insecticide ApplicationInsecticide Application
264.14 acres 1 gal = 216.59 acres
No Spray = 47.54 acres18% Chemical Savings
Prescription Map
As Applied
2.3 gallons
0 gallons
3.0 gallons
Rx & As-Applied
917.74 AcresPix on cotton
Saved $5.06 / AcreVersus 3 gal / Acre Blanket
Cost Savings of VRTScout Map
Prescription
As-Applied
Applications & Future Applications & Future GrowthGrowth
Aerial VRT being used in Texas, California and Aerial VRT being used in Texas, California and Mississippi DeltaMississippi Delta
ApplicationsApplications– Cotton: Pix and DefoliationCotton: Pix and Defoliation– Rice: Fertilizer and InsecticideRice: Fertilizer and Insecticide– Trees (fruit & nut)Trees (fruit & nut)
Dry Application: Dry Application: – great interest; still in early stagesgreat interest; still in early stages– Mississippi State Univ. working to measure application Mississippi State Univ. working to measure application
raterate
Current Research for rapid, real-time imaging and Current Research for rapid, real-time imaging and conversion to prescriptionconversion to prescription– Map in one pass, Spray in second passMap in one pass, Spray in second pass
For more information contact:For more information contact:Kristin Edwards, VP SalesKristin Edwards, VP Sales
Thanks for your Thanks for your attention!attention!