Abstract
 Comparison of Spatially and Conventionally Managed Farms Track: Agriculture Author(s): John Nowatzki The goal of this project is to improve our understanding of the economic and environmental factors important to farmers who adopt geospatial technologies to produce agricultural crops in North Dakota. This is the first year of a three-year project comparing 160 acres of spatially managed land on each of ten farms with conventionally managed land on each farm. The technologies used include geospatial records of crop inputs, expenses, yields and returns; remote sensing of crops using infrared aerial photography and Landsat satellite imagery; global positioning system (GPS) crop yield monitoring; variable rate crop inputs; and real-time GPS/GIS with handheld computers. The program uses a consultation team of business representatives, conservation workers and North Dakota State University (NDSU) extension specialists to develop geospatial management recommendations. Fields are evaluated for yields, costs, returns, profits, and the environmental factors of potential surface and groundwater contamination from pesticides. John Nowatzki North Dakota State University Ag & Biosystems Engineering 1221 Albrecht Blvd Fargo , ND 58105 US Phone: 701-231-8213 Fax: 701-231-8213 E-mail: jnowatzk@ndsuext.nodak.edu |
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