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- Winter 1999 "Update" Newsletter Article
GIS offers new tools for crop management
Copyright © 1999. All rights reserved.
Computerized tractors. Computerized irrigation systems. Just when growers think they've seen the peak of electronic technology used for farming, a new system has been developed which could bring an even higher level of precision to crop production and other ventures.
The technology is called geographical information systems (GIS). It is a combination of geographical database and mapping technologies being explored for use in California agriculture by CATI's Advanced Technology Information Network (ATI-Net).
GIS integrates satellite and other geographical mapping imagery with ground-based global positioning system (GPS) instruments. Data from these systems are fed into a GIS software program, where they are then overlaid as color-coded maps for analysis. The technology is not new, but its use in agriculture has been limited, explained ATI-Net general manager Jeff Ennen in describing the objectives of the GIS project.
"GIS has generally been met [in agriculture] with the attitude of, 'show me,'" Ennen said; however, "in recent years we are seeing an extraordinary acceptance of computer technology. The primary reason for this is the graphical interface of the World Wide Web."
The ATI-Net GIS project will take advantage of advances in web and computer technology to present more farm-related information in graphical format. For example, using an overhead map showing crop growth across a grid pattern, a grower can determine precisely what areas of a field need additional irrigation, fertilization, or pest control. Historical GIS information, showing what has been done to the field over several years, also can be used in the decision-making process.
ATI-Net's main objectives during the initial phase of the GIS project are to gather and present information about GIS to California farmers and agribusinesses.
"We will research, catalog, and disseminate existing public GIS data sets that could be of use to California agriculture," he said. The information is already being gathered and soon will be placed on ATI-Net's web site,located at www.atinet.org.
The second phase of the project will test GIS technology using data from the California State University, Fresno Farm Laboratory. Data will be compiled from available historical records, soil maps, and production information such as crop plantings, yield and chemical applications. Resulting GIS graphical information will be made available for use in farm management, as an instructional aid for academic classes, and for industry demonstrations.
Ennen said he envisions GIS becoming an important resource for farm producers in the years to come. "GIS technology is a decision-making tool. It will give a person the capability to integrate all available data important to managing his or her agribusiness."
Its use also will continue to expand in other areas such as environmental study and planning, city and county planning, and industry development. More information about the GIS project will be provided in the months ahead through Update, ATI-Net and the CATI web site, located at cati.csufresno.edu.
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Copyright © 2000. All rights reserved.
CALIFORNIA AGRICULTURAL TECHNOLOGY INSTITUTE - CATI
College of Agricultural Sciences and Technology
California State University, Fresno