One technique that allows farmers to significantly improve the way they run their operations is farm mapping. In this article, we will talk about this technique in detail, discuss its benefits, and explain what technology you will need to implement farm mapping.
What is farm mapping?
Farm mapping is a precision agriculture technique that allows farmers to create detailed maps of their property. These maps usually contain land boundaries, locations of buildings, fences, gateways, and water pipes located on a farm. Farmers can also record the crops planted in different sections of their fields and details of operations that were carried out in those fields. Farmers can also use agriculture drones, weather monitoring stations, moisture sensors, soil monitoring technology, and other precision farming devices to record even more information about their land and crops on field maps.
What technology is used for farm mapping?
Farm mapping software
Farm mapping computer software and mobile apps can be used to actually create field maps. For instance, the FieldBee app allows you to import field data in the .SHP format, upload cadaster documents, and even draw field boundaries manually using Google Maps.
Agriculture drones
Agriculture drones can be used to assess the condition of your land and drops in your fields remotely.
Satellite imagery
Just like agriculture drones, satellite imagery can provide accurate information regarding the condition of your crops without requiring you to go out into the fields to monitor them. You can also use satellite images to monitor how the condition of crops changes in response to fertilizer, herbicide, and pesticide application, and changes in irrigation.
Moisture sensors
Remote moisture sensors connected to a farm mapping app can automatically show farmers which sections of their fields need an increase or decrease in irrigation.
Soil analysis devices
It’s not a secret that different parts of the same field can have completely different soil. With farm mapping, farmers can analyze different parameters of the soil in various sections of their fields and then record those parameters on field maps, making it easy to take those differences into account during future agriculture procedures.
Final thoughts about farm mapping
As you can see, farm mapping is an extremely versatile technique that can be used to improve many assets of your farming operation. Whether you’re simply creating records of your field operations or implementing advanced precision farming techniques that utilize soil sensors and drones, you will definitely need a good farm mapping app to keep track of all the information.
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Many landowners are looking to improve their farms or are interested in maximizing their land's potential. This requires careful planning and one of the first things a farmer should do is develop a useful map of their land. A farm map will identify 1.) areas on the farm that are vulnerable to water contamination (sensitive areas such as streams, wetlands, waterways, or any other place where water coming from the livestock operation or barnyard comes into contact with clean water), and 2.) practices that may contribute to water pollution (such as not having a proper manure storage or spreading manure too close to a stream or wetland). This base map of the farm should show all farm fields, the farmstead and barnyard area, related use areas, and areas such as wetlands and forested land.
Another value of a farm map is for future planning or changes that farmers intend to make and for others (Cooperative Extension, NRCS, consultants) to help them to best utilize their property for the intended use.
A farm map can also help identify soil types and other characteristics, such as slope, that can be helpful in making management decisions like grazing plans and crop rotations. A map can be helpful when selecting compost or manure storage areas. Finally, a farm map can play an important role in emergency planning. In the case of an emergency manure spill, a map can help identify sensitive bodies of water or wells that might be affected. In case of a fire, a map can identify where fuel and chemicals are stored or where grain and hay may be stockpiled.
It will be helpful for you to draw a map of your farm that includes barnyard sketches for buildings, storages, fences, fields, streams, waterways, wetlands, etc. Include fields that animals use for exercise or grazing and/or wherever manure is spread. A boundary survey, as described in a deed, determines the property lines of a parcel of land and may be a good starting point. This will indicate the extent of any easements or encroachments and may show the limitations imposed on the property by state or local regulations. Aerial photography and soils information can be downloaded using the sites listed below; you may also wish to contact your local Soil Conservation District or Natural Resource Conservation Service (NRCS) office who may be able to help you with land, topographic or soils information.
A farm map will identify areas where manure-contaminated runoff water from the livestock operation, barnyard, or manure storage comes into contact with clean water. The map may also reveal if manure is spread too close to a stream or wetland. A map can also help identify soil types and characteristics helpful in making management decisions about grassland management and crop rotations. A farm map is also valuable for future farm planning.
