Calvin Perry and George Vellidis. University of Georgia - Tifton Campus, Biological & Agricultural Engineering Department, 2329 Rainwater Rd, Tifton, GA 31794
The performance of the new generation Ag Leader cotton yield monitoring system, based on the Insight display, was evaluated for yield accuracy and ease of use during the 2007 harvest season. A four-sensor Ag Leader Insight system was installed on a grower-owned John Deere 9996 cotton picker in south Georgia and was used to harvest his 25 fields. Basket load, module, and field total weights were compared to yield monitor weights to evaluate accuracy. The grower's experience with the system was used to evaluate ease of use. After proper initial weight calibration, the system under-predicted actual weight with a percent error of approximately 12% when comparing basket loads, modules or field totals. Nevertheless, the predicted weight values were fairly consistent and the resulting yield data produced yield maps that represented field variations quite well. Once re-calibrated later in the season, the system began over-predicting cotton weight and the percent error reduced to approximately 7%. Ease of use was very good with the grower able to navigate menus and settings easily.
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