I. General Information

1. Course Title:
Advanced Precision Agriculture

2. Course Prefix & Number:
AGRO 1130

3. Course Credits and Contact Hours:

Credits: 3

Lecture Hours: 3

4. Course Description:

This course introduces students to precision agriculture applications in the field. Through this course students will understand how to create a variable rate prescription, understand the importance of collecting quality data, and basics of troubleshooting sensors/equipment.

5. Placement Tests Required:

Accuplacer (specify test):

No placement tests required

Score:

6. Prerequisite Courses:

There are no prerequisites for this course.

9. Co-requisite Courses:

There are no corequisites for this course.

II. Transfer and Articulation

1. Course Equivalency - similar course from other regional institutions:

ASM3360 Applications in Precision Agriculture – 3 Credits – University of Minnesota Crookston, PAG454 Applications of Precision Agriculture – 3 Credits – North Dakota State University

III. Course Purpose

1. Program-Applicable Courses – This course is required for the following program(s):

Agronomy Diploma

IV. Learning Outcomes

1. College-Wide Outcomes

College-Wide Outcomes/Competencies	Students will be able to:
Demonstrate reading and listening skills	Read how to properly calibrate a precision agriculture application equipment from the owner’s manual. Summarize the calibration process.
Analyze and follow a sequence of operations	Create a flow-chart on how to troubleshoot problems in application equipment.
Utilize appropriate technology	Identify technology available for precision agriculture and how the technology affects profitability.

2. Course Specific Outcomes - Students will be able to achieve the following measurable goals upon completion of the course:

• Document the technology platforms and files used in Precision Ag;
• Demonstrate how to create a variable rate prescription;
• Identify the factors that affect the calibration of equipment;
• Understand the importance of accurate data collection;
• Utilize owner’s manual to calibrate Precision Ag equipment;
• Analyze collected data for errors;
• Identify the components used in application equipment;
• Utilize research farm to identify sensors and applications in the field; and
• Integrate different types of data collection to make management decisions.

V. Topical Outline

Listed below are major areas of content typically covered in this course.

1. Lecture Sessions

1. Precision Agriculture Applications
   • Intro to Precision Ag topics
   • Precision Ag’s role in production agriculture
2. GPS and GIS in Precision Ag
   • Basics of GPS and GIS
   • Satellite connection options and platforms
   • Applications of GIS and GPS in the field
3. Technology Platforms
   • Different operating systems
   • Information download into monitor
   • Software limitations and compatibilities
   • File types associated with operating systems
4. Data Collection
   • Different types of data collection (soil sampling/yield maps/aerial imagery)
   • Benefits of long-term data collection
   • Sensors and software to create yield maps
   • Drone sensors/imagery to identify crop stress
5. Interpreting Data
   • Corrections made for yield maps
   • Soil maps, yield maps, soil sampling, and aerial imagery to identify zones within a field
   • Potential sources of measurement errors
6. Creating Prescription
   • Types of prescriptions available to manage inputs
     • VRT Seed
     • VRT Fertilizer
     • VRT Sprayer Applications
     • VRT Irrigation Water Applications
   • Utilize collected data and identify zones to prescribe application amount
   • Understand application amount for local Best Management Practice
7. Calibrating Equipment
   • Parameters that affect calibration
     • Operating speed
     • Product density or properties
     • Environmental conditions
     • Equipment capacities or operating capabilities
   • Owner’s manual or operations manual to determine calibration procedure
   • Calibration affects on accuracy
8. Hardware Installation
   • Components used in Precision Ag Applications
     • Monitor
     • Base Station
     • Globe/Antenna
     • Electronical Hardware
     • Hydraulic Controls
     • Sensors
   • Component working and interacting with other components
9. Sensors and Trouble Shooting
   • Different types of sensors and the basics of how they work
   • Basics of troubleshooting
     • Identify a problem
     • Splitting the operating system into sections
     • Checking individual sections for problems
     • Correcting individual problems
     • Check that the changes made corrected the original problem