Join Cornell Cooperative Extension to learn what precision agriculture entails, the economics of using precision ag, and the preferred methodology and benefits. This free, 3-day event series is being organized by CCE Niagara County with assistance from Dr. Ali Nafchi, Precision Ag Specialist of the CCE Cornell Vegetable Program and CCE NWNY Dairy, Livestock, and Field Crops team. Topics for each day will be determined by the audience interests and questions.

Precision Agriculture (Introduction)

• Why should producers be interested in precision agriculture?
• Goals, key factors, information, technology, management

Components of Precision Agriculture Equipment

• Key components, equipment, computer/controllers, sensors, GIS, GPS, remote sensing, satellite imagery, UAV's

Agricultural management philosophy (PA perspective)

• What is zone management?
• Best management practices
• Soil and tillage management

Soil electrical conductivity (EC) and ways to measure it

Precision soil sampling vs. grid sampling

• Soil EC: Veris vs. EM38, EC vs. soil texture, and EC vs. yield map

Site specific management/variable rate applications

• Variable depth tillage control, variable seeding rate, automatic section control, variable rate irrigation, and variable irrigation based on soil texture

Map Principles

• Why is map-making important?
• Yield maps vs. prescription maps
• Importance of yield monitors, yield monitoring components, calibration and factors that effect on it

Introduction to NDVI

• Characteristic of NDVI values
• NDVI estimation and photo analysis

Economics of using precision agriculture Preferred methodology and benefits, evaluation

Topics for each day will be determined by the audience interests and questions.

FREE sessions but registration is required by calling CCE Niagara County at 716-433-8839.

Precision Ag Series event flyer (PDF; 305KB)