precision agriculture essays

precision agriculture essays Soil can vary from one point to the next in its chemical and physical makeup, which makes it very diverse. Crop yield and variations within the field can be influenced by soil properties, or pollutants that move through soil, and then into the groundwater, or runoff into lakes and streams. The importance of precision agriculture is to determine the exact areas that need to be managed to maximize yield, minimize environmental impacts, and optimize the use of resources. Precision agriculture also helps determine changes in soil quality over time, and the presence of pollutants such as salts, pesticides, and fertilizers. Many farmers face the same dilemma everywhere; How to increase profitability on their farms, so that they can remain competitive? The old solution would be to increase the size of the farm by economies of scale. However, many farmers believe that there could be something more accurate then just keeping daily journals of farming activities that include: planting dates, crop variety, and relying on crop consultants. Local cooperatives are now educating farmers on precision agriculture and the benefits of putting fertilizer where it is needed the most (Robert, Roggenbuck, Oct. 2002). Precision Agriculture is defined as information and technology based agricultural management system to identify, analyze, and manage site-soil spatial and temporal variability within fields for optimum profitability, sustainability, and protection of the environment. Precision agriculture requires information about soil properties, elevation, and landscapes, and how these characteristics affect plant growth and crop progress throughout the field each season. To determine crop production from one part of the field to another, yield monitors can be used. There are many different types of sensors being used in precision agriculture. The measurement of light reflected from a field are the most common sensors used. A camera with color, or co...

5 Ways to Make Your Career Dreams Come True

5 Ways to Make Your Career Dreams Come True Watching your friends and coworkers get their dream jobs or launch their dream careers can be taxing. Maybe you feel like it will never happen to you. But that mindset can lead to depression and can sap you of your energy to actually make it happen for yourself. Try these five strategies and start to make the changes you need to go in the direction of your dream.Think bigThere are two kinds of people in the world: those who  believe leaders are born that way and those who  believe anyone can do or be anything. Be part of the second camp. Cultivate the three Ps: practice, perseverance, and persistence. Then add passion and pursuit to the mix. You’ll never get where you want to go if you don’t really want to get there.Be confidentYou chose your dream, now believe in it. Take risks and make achieving your goals your top priority. Once you’ve made a choice you know to be right, it will be that much easier to devote yourself to it 110%.Don’t expect instant resultsJust because the journey’s long doesn’t mean you’ll never reach your destination. Keep working on your goals every single day, even if you can’t see any immediate payoff. The reward will come. Add patience to your magic P words.Edit your friends listSocial relationships are a huge part of a healthy life and career. Surrounding yourself with happy and like-minded people can be a really effective way to keep yourself afloat and heading for large-scale success. Weed out the people that drain your energy or make you feel bad about yourself. Stick to the positives, even when it comes to people.Be gratefulIf you’re always grateful for something, then you’re already successful. Even when things are rough, there’s always something good to recognize and reflect on. Making gratitude a simple part of your routine will pay enormous dividends as you cultivate the life you want and start to see results. You’ll already be in the habit of being thankful!