NDSU Offers ZoneMap Training for Variable-rate Fertilizing

Crop producers now have an online option to develop management zones and fertilizer application maps for their fields. ZoneMap is available for free use on the Web at http://zonemap.umac.org.

North Dakota State University Extension John Nowatzki, NDSU Extension Service agricultural machine systems specialist will conduct seminars on the use of ZoneMap in Bowman on March 24 and in Ashley on March 25. NDSU Extension agents Andrea Bowman and Bill Klein are coordinating the seminars.

ZoneMap is a interactive mapping application developed by the Upper Midwest Aerospace Consortium for use in the northern Great Plains area of the U.S.

“Participants will learn how to use ZoneMap and have the opportunity to develop variable-rate fertilization application maps for two fields,” Nowatzki says. “Anyone interested in participating in these seminars is asked to preregister by contacting the NDSU Extension Service agents in Bowman or McIntosh County.”

Management zones are used with variable-rate fertilization. Each zone on the field map is assigned a unique yield goal. The fertilizer application equipment used for variable-rate fertilization is capable of changing application rates during field operation. Variable-rate fertilization uses a global positioning system integrated with a computer in the tractor cab to signal the fertilizer application equipment to change rates as it moves from one zone to another.

Field zone maps normally are made using a geographic information system (GIS) computer program capable of combining available field information to delineate field areas based on productivity levels. Producers have several options to develop zone maps and fertilizer application maps.

The major farm equipment companies and several GIS computer programs are capable of making field zone maps. However, these computer programs don’t come with the data needed to delineate field zones and most of the programs require a considerable amount of skill to operate effectively. Another option for farmers is to hire crop consultants or agricultural computer consultants to prepare zone maps for a fee.

“ZoneMap users can incorporate their field data with satellite imagery to delineate field management zones, assign fertilizer rates for each zone and then download the fertilizer application maps in a digital format ready for loading into their in-cab computer,” Nowatzki says.

The first step in using ZoneMap to develop management zones is delineating the field area or area of interest. Delineating an area of interest on ZoneMap requires knowing the latitude and longitude of the north, south, east and west boundaries of the field. However, participants in these seminars will learn how to use Google Earth, an interactive, online map, to identify the latitude and longitude for use in ZoneMap.

Computers will be available at the seminars. However, participants are encouraged to bring their own wireless Internet-enabled laptop computers so they can take all the seminar data with them when they leave.

The Bowman ZoneMap Seminar is scheduled from 1 to 4 p.m. MDT at the Dakota Room of the Bowman County Courthouse. The Ashley seminar is scheduled from 1 to 4 p.m. CDT at the Dakota Family Restaurant.

NDSU Agriculture Communication