Variable Rate Technology

Brian MontgomeryInTime, Inc

Director, Marketing and Customer Relations

Variable Rate TechnologyThe Good, The Bad, and The Ugly

• The bad – Focusing on the tools rather than the agronomy– My goal is to save input costs

• The ugly– Inferior application equipment– Untimely information

• The GOOD– We are past a lot of the growing pains associated with

VRT– VRT is profitable and is the “way” of farming tomorrow

Variable Rate TechnologyData Sources

• Aerial based image products• Grid soil samples• Electrical conductivity data• Yield data• Historical data

Variable Rate TechnologyEquipment

• Ground applicators– VR dry– VR sprayers

• Aerial Applicators– VR liquid– VR dry – Not quite there

• All systems vary the carrier volume• What is the next step in VRT?

– Direct injection

Variable Rate Technology

• Why farm with VRT?– Increase Net Profits

• HOW?– Reduced input costs– Increased yields– Environmental stewardship

We MUST accomplish ALL!!!

2.3 gallons

0 gallons

3.0 gallons

Rx & As-Applied

917.74 AcresVariable Rate Application

Saved $2.53 / AcreVersus (8 oz) / Acre Blanket

VR PixScout Map

Rx

As-Applied

2.3 gallons

0 gallons

3.0 gallons

Rx & As-Applied

VR PixScout Map

Rx

As-Applied

8-5-05Budworm Spray

StewardTotal A’s = 135.94

2

3

4

6

1 Lowest Biomass

7 Highest Biomass

5

100% Budworm presence

0 GPA

7.5 GPA

Late Season Budworm application

VR Cost0.0 GPA = 73.82 acres - $0.007.5 GPA = 62.12 acres - $724.96Imagery Cost = $203.91Total VR Cost = $928.87Blanket Application Cost = $1586.46TOTAL SAVINGS = $657.59 or $4.84/A46% Chemical Savings (135.94 acres)

InTime’s Vari-Scout MapVariable Rate Defoliation

Location: Missouri Bootheel

Crop: Cotton

Field Size: 31.6 Acres

Imagery Acquired: September 1, 2005

VR Defoliation Applied: September 20, 2005

Notes:This prescription was applied

using a JD6500 equipped with a Raven Viper. The consultant was

able to achieve a one-time defoliation on this field, for

$14.29/A in chemical.

VR Defoliation – Once OverUsed Vari-Scout to make a

One-Time Defoliation

InTime’s Vari-Scout MapVariable Rate Defoliation

Location: Missouri Bootheel

Crop: Cotton

Field Size: 49.22 Acres

Imagery Acquired: September 1, 2005

VR Defoliation Applied: September 15, 2005

Notes:This prescription was applied

using a SatLoc Aerial Ace. The consultant was able to achieve a one-time defoliation on this field,

for $14.72/A in chemical.

VR Defoliation – Once Over

Multiple VR PGR & insecticide applications

One-Time VR defoliation

DP 432 RR 2004 Yield- 1333 lbs/A 2005 Yield- 1253 lbs/A

Variable rate nitrogen top-dress applied 7-13-046-10-04

7-5-04

7-20-04

8-7-04

9-7-04

Vari-Scout 2004 Growing Season

Image collected 7 DAT

Image used for defoliation and VR nitrogen application in 2005

Image shows incorrect irrigation timing

Variable rate PGR and insecticide application made

Vari-ScoutA Story of Profit Potential

What’s Going On In This Field?Effects Of Crop Rotation!

Cotton After Corn

Cotton After Cotton

Vari-N from Feb 2006

3.9% N 3.45% N4.2% N

Vari-N from Aug. 2004

76 lbs N 71 lbs N 59 lbs N

lbs AmmoniumNitrate

2004 Yield- 1218 lbs/A2005 Yield- 1365 lbs/A

DP 445 BG/RR< 10 Acres DP 444 BG/RR

InTime Vari-Soil

• Collect directed soil samples

• Apply lab recommended rates based on soil variation

2

1

3

Sample ID

Potassium Level

Phosphate

Level

1 73 226

2 81 281

3 127 272

Vari-Gation

• Variable Rate Irrigation– Apply Appropriate water

rates across fields

Variable Rate Technologyand

“Precision Ag”

• VRT is a part of precision ag• Site specific data provides the information for

managers to make PROFITABLE decisions

That’s It!!It’s all about increasing

Profits

InTime Inc.

Providing Producers Crop Management Solutions!