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The Application of Harvester -Mounted Forage Yield Sensing Devices.
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2001-07-01
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Forristal, P.D., Keppel, D., The Application of Harvester -Mounted Forage Yield Sensing Devices, End of Project Reports, Teagasc, 2001.
Abstract
The development and application of precision agriculture technology to forage
crops offers scope for improved management practices and targeting of inputs. In
particular, the ability to measure forage throughput on a harvester would form the
basis for improved management decisions and the ability to exploit precision
agriculture technology, including accurate application of forage additives. The
aim of this project was to develop a forage throughput sensor and to use that
sensor to record yield variability and to accurately control additive application.
Following preliminary trials, a force sensing plate placed in a forage harvester
chute was developed and assessed. A very good relationship between sensed
throughput and measured throughput was achieved, with regression coefficients of
between 0.88 and 0.96 recorded in a series of trials. The relationship was
established on a fresh-weight basis. Calibration could present difficulties in
practice.
The forage throughput sensor was linked to a GPS positioning system and a
modified yield monitor/recording system to facilitate the measurement of yield
variability in the field. Considerable difficulties were encountered with
compatibility of the various components, including the analysis software. While a
forage yield map was created and illustrated the levels of yield variability within a
field, the need for simultaneous on-harvester dry matter sensing was apparent.
A throughput-based additive application control system was designed, developed
and tested. The unit performed satisfactorily, resulting in less variation in the
quantity of additive applied to harvested grass compared to conventional
application systems.
In conclusion, there is scope for the application of precision agriculture
technology, based on forage yield sensing, on grassland farms. However, there
are many differences between the adoption of this technology on grassland farms
compared to arable farms. In particular, yield-sensing accuracy is unlikely to be
as good, and the need for simultaneous DM sensing is critical. Forage yield
sensors will be commercialised soon. There will then be a need to evaluate these
systems and the application of precision agriculture technology to grassland
systems.