Method and system for estimating an agricultural management parameter

Abstract

A system and method for estimating agricultural parameters for growing crops is well suited for promoting efficient utilization of agricultural inputs (e.g., water consumption). Sensors collect data via one or more vehicles equipped with location-determining receivers. A transmitter transmits the collected environmental data to a data processing system. The data processing system applies the collected environmental data to an agronomic model for determining an agricultural management parameter. A prescription is made available for application of an agricultural input (e.g., water) to a crop in a particular location consistent with the collected environmental data and the agronomic model.

Description

[0001] This is a divisional of application Ser. No. 10 / 913,192 and filed Aug. 6, 2004.FIELD OF INVENTION [0002] This invention relates to a method and system for estimating one or more agricultural management parameters. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0003] Stationary weather stations or other agronomic sensing stations may be positioned in a field to determine environmental parameters for raising agricultural crops. However, the cost, maintenance, and other drawbacks of stationary weather stations discourage the wide-spread deployment of such agronomic sensing stations. Batteries of sensing stations may need to be replaced or recharged periodically. Sensing stations may be vulnerable to theft or vandalism. The placement of sensing stations in the field can make them susceptible to collisions or entanglement with machinery, tractors or implements, for example. The success of growers depends upon an adequate supply of water (e.g., rainfall) and other agricultural inputs for raising cro...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

This approach reduces the costs associated with agricultural inputs by providing accurate and efficient utilization of resources such as water, offering a practical solution for optimizing irrigation and other agricultural practices.

Problems solved by technology

However, the cost, maintenance, and other drawbacks of stationary weather stations discourage the wide-spread deployment of such agronomic sensing stations.

Sensing stations may be vulnerable to theft or vandalism.

The placement of sensing stations in the field can make them susceptible to collisions or entanglement with machinery, tractors or implements, for example.

The cost of providing irrigation or other agricultural inputs to crops is based on the quantity, frequency and rate of application of the agricultural input to a field.

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