Method and system for estimating an agricultural management parameter

Abstract

A system and method for estimating agricultural parameters for growing crops is well suited for promoting efficient utilization of agricultural inputs (e.g., water consumption). Sensors collect data via one or more vehicles equipped with location-determining receivers. A transmitter transmits the collected environmental data to a data processing system. The data processing system applies the collected environmental data to an agronomic model for determining an agricultural management parameter. A prescription is made available for application of an agricultural input (e.g., water) to a crop in a particular location consistent with the collected environmental data and the agronomic model.

1 . A method for estimating an agricultural management parameter, the method comprising: 
 collecting environmental data associated with at least one field for growing a crop in a particular location, where the collecting is accomplished via one or more vehicles having one or more sensors and a location-determining receiver;    transmitting the collected environmental data to a data processing system;    applying the collected environmental data to an agronomic model for estimating an agricultural management parameter; and    making available a prescription for application of an agricultural input to a crop in a particular location consistent with the collected environmental data and the agronomic model.    
   
   
       2 . The method according to  claim 1  wherein the collecting data comprises collecting data via one or more vehicles operating on at least one of a road, a highway, a rail line, and a transportation route.  
   
   
       3 . The method according to  claim 1  wherein the collecting data comprises collecting environmental data via an off-road vehicle equipped with a removable weather module for housing the sensors, the removable weather module located outdoors and the off-road vehicle located within or under a shelter.  
   
   
       4 . The method according to  claim 1  wherein the transmitting comprises transmitting the data via a wireless communications system.  
   
   
       5 . The method according to  claim 1  wherein the transmitting comprises transmitting data via a wireless access point associated with or located along a transportation route.  
   
   
       6 . The method according to  claim 1  wherein the collected environmental data comprises one or more of the following: climatic data, temperature data, dew point temperature, relative humidity, wind speed, solar radiation, sunlight intensity, wind direction, and rainfall amounts.  
   
   
       7 . The method according to  claim 1  wherein the collected environmental data comprises one or more of the following precursor data items: exterior air temperature, humidity, vehicle speed and heading, interior air temperature, air conditioner setting, fuel consumption, windshield wiper and speed setting.  
   
   
       8 . The method according to  claim 6  further comprising: 
 deriving one or more of the following collected environmental data from the precursor data items: climatic data, temperature data, dew point temperature, relative humidity, wind speed, solar radiation, sunlight intensity, wind direction, and rainfall amounts.    
   
   
       9 . The method according to  claim 1  wherein the agronomic model comprises estimating water requirements for the crop, the agricultural input comprising irrigation water.  
   
   
       10 . The method according to  claim 1  wherein the agronomic model comprises estimating evapotranspiration for the crop.  
   
   
       11 . The method according to  claim 10  wherein the evapotranspiration, the crop identifier, and the crop stage of growth or planting date are applied to provide the prescription for water input, as the agricultural input, with reference to the location date within the field.  
   
   
       12 . A system for estimating agricultural management parameter, the system comprising: 
 a sensor for collecting environmental data associated with at least one field for growing a crop in a particular location, the sensor associated with a location-determining receiver mounted on a corresponding vehicle;    a transmitter for transmitting the collected environmental data to a data processing system;    an estimator for applying the collected environmental data to an agronomic model for estimating an agricultural management parameter; and    a prescription generator for making available a prescription for application of an agricultural input to a crop in a particular location consistent with the collected environmental data and the agronomic model.    
   
   
       13 . The system according to  claim 12  wherein the vehicle is associated with operation on at least one of a road, a highway, a rail line, and a transportation route adjacent to or near the field.  
   
   
       14 . The system according to  claim 12  further comprising: 
 a data processor for processing the environmental data collected by the sensor;    a removable weather module for housing the sensor, the removable weather module arranged for location outdoors and spaced apart from the vehicle; and    an interface mounted on the vehicle for communications between the removable weather module and the data processor.    
   
   
       15 . The system according to  claim 12  wherein transmitter and location-determining receiver comprise an integral portion of a telematics system associated with the vehicle.  
   
   
       16 . The system according to  claim 12  wherein the transmitter comprises at least one of a Bluetooth transmitter, a spread spectrum transmitter, a code division multiple access transmitter, an infra-red transmitter, and a radio frequency transmitter.  
   
   
       17 . The system according to  claim 12  wherein the collected environmental data comprises one or more of the following: climatic data, temperature data, dew point temperature, relative humidity, wind speed, solar radiation, sunlight intensity, wind direction, and rainfall amounts.  
   
   
       18 . The system according to  claim 12  wherein the collected environmental data comprises one or more of the following precursor data items: exterior air temperature, humidity, vehicle speed and heading, interior air temperature, air conditioner setting, fuel consumption, windshield wiper and speed setting.  
   
   
       19 . The system according to  claim 18  further comprising: 
 a data derivation unit for deriving one or more of the following collected environmental data from the precursor data items: climatic data, temperature data, dew point temperature, relative humidity, wind speed, solar radiation, sunlight intensity, wind direction, and rainfall amounts.    
   
   
       20 . The system according to  claim 12  wherein estimator applies an evapotranspiration as the agronomic model and where the agricultural input comprises water.  
   
   
       21 . The system according to  claim 20  wherein the evapotranspiration, the crop identifier, and the crop stage of growth or a date are applied to provide a prescription for water input, as the agricultural input, with reference to the location data within the field.