nvestigations in precision agriculture [2005]

Vilde, A.Lapins, D.Berzins, A.Rucins, A.et al.

Abstract

A brief review of the current situation, activities, views and trends in precision agriculture in Latvia
are given in this paper. Research Centre has been organised and experimental studies have started
in the precision crop production. Latvian fields reveal great heterogeneity of spatial soil properties
and yield variability. The main goals of PA in the crop production are: maximizing yields, minimizing
inputs, maximizing financial advantages and minimizing impact on the environment. Energetic and
agronomic assessment of machines and energy saving measures are carried out. The treatment of
grain, its conditioning and storage on farms are purposeful. The main trends in PA are: the study of
the field fertility heterogeneity, the methods and implements for it, mapping of the yield spot
variability, seeking its causes and working out measures for the yield levelling upwards, integration
of the research systems, simulation processes using personal computers with corresponding
software. In Latvia precision agriculture would be efficient to increase production, minimise
expenditure and save environment. Precision agriculture is a farming system of the future.