NDSU Offers Variable-rate Fertilization Map Preparation Training

Crop producers now have an online option to develop management zones and fertilizer application maps for their fields. ZoneMap is available for free on the Web at http://zonemap.umac.org. Users can access satellite imagery from past years to begin outlining management zones in their crop fields.

Two North Dakota state University Extension Service agents, Kurt Froelich in Stark County and Craig Askim in Mercer County, are coordinating a workshop to help producers learn how to use satellite imagery to prepare field zone maps and fertilizer application maps.

The workshop is scheduled in Dickinson on March 4 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. in room 101 of the Agricultural Building at Dickinson State University. To register for the workshop, call the Stark-Billings Extension office at (701) 456-7665 or e-mail Jane Heth at jane.heth@ndsu.edu, Froelich at kurt.froelich@ndsu.edu or Craig Askim at craig.askim@ndsu.edu. There is a $15 registration fee for the workshop.

Computers will be available at the workshop. However, participants are encouraged to bring their own wireless-enabled laptop computers so the seminar data can be taken home after the workshop.

John Nowatzki, NDSU Extension Service agricultural machine systems specialist, will demonstrate how to use satellite imagery in field zone management using ZoneMap, which is an interactive mapping application developed by the Upper Midwest Aerospace Consortium at the University of North Dakota.

“Participants will learn how to use ZoneMap and have the opportunity to develop variable-rate fertilization application maps for at least two fields,” Nowatzki says.

Roper Ashley, NDSU Area Extension Specialist for cropping systems, will discuss how management zones are used with variable-rate fertilization. Each zone should be soil tested to determine residual nutrients available for the next crop. Fertilizer application equipment used for variable-rate fertilization is capable of changing application rates during field operations.

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.

Producers need to know the specific digital format required by their equipment. The computer/controllers read the variable rate zone maps and control the application rate for each zone. Generally, the computer/controllers accept the maps in a shapefile format. However, workshop participants should confirm their required format in advance so their maps are prepared in the format they can use.

“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 field’s boundaries. Workshop participants will learn how to use Google Earth, an interactive, online map, to identify the latitude and longitude.”

NDSU Agriculture Communication