THE PEANUT YIELD MONITORING SYSTEM

Abstract

The most essential component of precision farming is the yield monitor, a sensor or group of sensors installed onharvesting equipment that dynamically measure spatial yield variability. Yield maps, which are produced using data fromyield monitors, are extremely useful in providing the farmer a colorcoded visual image clearly showing the variability ofyield across a field. University of Georgia scientists recently completed development work on PYMS, the Peanut YieldMonitoring System. PYMS uses load cells for instantaneous load measurements of harvested peanuts and has proven to beaccurate to between 2% and 3% on a trailerload basis and to approximately 1% on a field basis when using data collectedduring combine operation. PYMS data are accurate to around 1% on a basketload basis when using data collected understatic conditions. The instantaneous accuracy of PYMS was calculated to be 700 kg/ha. Basing management decisions on theyield of individual pixels of PYMS yield maps is not realistic. The strength of PYMS is in differentiating yield trends andevaluating management practices. The system was extensively and successfully fieldtested over a 3year period andevaluated by 11 users during 1999, all of whom were able to use the resulting yield maps to evaluate current managementpractices or to develop future management plans. The University of Georgia has submitted a patent application for PYMS,and the technology has been licensed.