Tuesday, November 14, 2006 - 3:30 PM
157-6
Grain quality sensing at time of harvest: nutrient management opportunities.
Dan Long, USDA-ARS Col Plateau Cons Res Ctr, PO Box 370, PO Box 370, Pendleton, OR 97801-0370 and Richard Engel, Montana State Univ., 334 Leon JohnsonHall PO:173120, Bozeman, MT 59717-3120.
Near infrared (NIR) analyzers, widely used in grain elevators and grain labs, are now commercially available for use on combine harvesters. An optical NIR sensor determines protein concentration by measuring the amount of near infrared light that is either transmitted through the grain or reflected from the grain. Each measurement can be referenced to a field location using the Global Positioning System in a fashion that is similar to mapping with a yield monitor. Results of field tests indicate that on-combine sensing is sufficiently accurate for mapping of wheat grain protein concentration across farm fields. Such information, when combined with yield maps, may be useful for identification of nitrogen (N) management zones for variable-rate fertilizer application, and for estimation of site-specific straw yield levels. We are exploring the feasibility of using this technology to improve N fertilizer management, enhance grain quality and consistency, and increase profits for growers.