An NDVI map helped confirm the presence of a Canada Thistle infestation on this 122 acre corn field. A flat rate herbicide prescription was applied to the entire field. As shown in the aerial imagery, inspections confirmed that only 0.6 acres required treatment. An herbicide reduction of over 99% would have been possible with a variable rate prescription, decreasing the overall environmental impact and herbicide input costs.
| Crop: Corn
Location: NE KANSAS ACREAGE: 121.82 ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT Prescription: 10 gallons/acre (diluted) 6.6 pints/acre (concentration) Flat rate area: 121.82 acres Variable rate area: (-) 0.60 acres Herbicide waste: 121.22 acres x10 gallons/acre (diluted) x6.6 pints/acre (concentrate) Herbicide 12,112.20 gallons (diluted) Flat rate treatment $3,931.13 Variable rate & services (-) $506.63 Net cost reduction: $3,424.50 Cost reduction/total acreage ($3,424.50/121.82) INPUT COST SAVINGS: $28.1 |