Evaluating Equipment Performance at the Row and Plant Levels.

Crop yield variability is complex and occurs at all scales from farm, field, management zone, row, to plant-to-plant.  While most of the attention in precision agriculture has focused on management zones, remaining row and plant-level variability demonstrates additional opportunities to improve yield and grower profitability.  Over the last two years, we have conducted on-farm evaluations in Illinois to better understand these opportunities.  Our evaluations characterized corn yield across various resolution scales, and linked observed variability to site and equipment performance variables.  Our results demonstrate considerable room for further improvement that will require development of row and plant-level metrics to drive and demonstrate the next generation of equipment control.