Patchwork Software Development.

Smithfield 96 sees an early version of a new software system linking the Raven SCS 750 multi channel injection system to the wealth of field mapping information becoming available from soil testing, weed monitoring and yield mapping operations.

Sample Screen Shot of Patchwork The Chavtrac Precision Farming Software - prototype

The software being developed in house at Chavtrac allows the farmer or his advisors to input existing electronic map based data, and combine data on yields, nutrients, and weeds with existing Ordnance survey maps and present the farmer with the capability of building up an application map which will overlay other data. A Sprayer equipped with the Raven / Chavtrac system will also be able to generate farm maps and produce maps showing tramlines and field outlines which will be used to create a treatment map. The new software is extremely user friendly and will require no intervention from the sprayer operator during the spraying operation.

Project manager Nick Walters says "One aspect frequently overlooked is the major impact that spray rate variations have on droplet formation when a variable rate system is operated on a conventional rate sprayer. If application rate is doubled the spray pressure is quadrupled creating less than ideal fine spray droplet formation. A direct injection system is the only method for altering application rates whilst leaving the carrier output constant."

The system will be in trials during 1997 and available in early 1998. For The latest information please look at our Precision Farming section on this site.

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