Intro:
There are many different methods for creating a Prescription (Rx) map. This method is available in both SMS Basic and SMS Advanced where an appropriate application rate is matched to a pre-existing zone. Similar steps are performed regardless of whether your Rx is for Fertilizer Application, Planting or Seeding.
Any rates used in this example do not imply the correct agronomic recommendation but are used for illustration only. Consult with a qualified agronomist for appropriate information.
Instructions:
- Select the map containing your intended zones from the management tree and bring it into the main map space (Create New Map).
- The source map must be a polygon map. If your source map is a point or swath then choose either a GRID or a Contour to receive rate information. Source map might be a soil sample zone map, a yield regions map or a previous application zone map. The premise is that you have already decided what rates to apply in each zone.
- From the menu File>New or New Layer icon above map, select New Prescription Layer to start wizard. The Source map called “Reference Layer” will display. Next>
4. Select the Operation you are creating an Rx for: Fertilizing Prescription Dry (Liquid, seeding etc) then the appropriate choices for Rate Attribute and Units. Remember this will be Units of PRODUCT applied.
5. You will be presented with a legend for the rates you intend to use. Do not bother with colour, the important thing is how many rates and what are they. For this example I have 7 zones ranging from 200 lbs/acre to zero. Next>
6. Tip: If you are using the same rates repeatedly over many fields you might save this legend as “Potash Rates” and then load this legend each time you need it to save entering the rates each time.
7. The rate matching window will show the legend rates, then the values from the reference map. Starting from the left select the first rate, then the corresponding value group (or colour) from your reference map and select ADD to assign that rate to the map. It will show up under legend assignment view. As you add rates the reference values will disappear from the reference window until all regions have been assigned.
8. Once all rates are assigned, an editor window will appear. Zones can be edited manually by selecting a legend rate/colour then choose Assign values icon and manually tap a polygon in the map to reassign the zone to a different rate. E.g. This is commonly done to reassign a very small polygon to the surrounding rate.
9. When complete choose SAVE and SMS will have auto populated the management information. You must select PRODUCT at this point. Example here is Potash. If the product (or blend) you are using does not appear in the list ADD product. Other helpful tip is to put description into the dataset info such as to be Spring Applied 2020
10. After the Save and Close the new Rx layer will be presented in your main map window to apply your own legend preferences, printing and export.
11. Most, if not all, current controllers can accept a “shapefile” export from SMS. From either the map or the management tree, right click and choose Export>Export to Generic File format>Start Generic File Export Process
12. Select Shapefile from the generic types Then select EXPORT SETTINGS-Shape. This window allows you to edit the output attributes (think column headings) that the operator will see. Only the Field, Product and Tgt Rate (which is the units of product per acre) are required by the controllers/monitors. Deleting all other columns makes for a more streamlined file. All the controller really needs is the Tgt Rate column. Once edited SAVE this as a template for future use. For the next Rx map you can load these choices
13. Lastly save the file to a compact filename. At the very least the field name and product. Some controllers do not like long long names and do not use punctuation.
14. Shapefiles” are a 4 file set and all files create by this export must be transferred to the monitor.
15. Each brand of monitor has its preferences for where this file is placed for import.
16. For instance, the John Deere 2630 monitor expects the set of shapefiles to be placed in a folder called Rx if transferring by USB.
17. The USB stick directory would look something like this:
18. Inside the Rx folder the files would look like this:
19. Some transfers require that you “ZIP” or compress the multiple files into one file. Windows can do this for you easily: Highlight ro select ALL FOUR of the shapefile files, then right click and choose Send to: Compressed file. The result is a single file with a .ZIP extension. This is a good way to email a set of shapefiles to a service provider/customer to avoid one of the components from being missed or forgotten in transfer.
20. There are many destinations the shapefiles might need to be placed to properly be read by the field units. Consult your controller brand manual or contact your service provider for correct procedures. Knowing how to manually copy and paste files to a USB or transferring to your controller of choice is a good skill to develop. It is about as complicated as knowing what screwdriver to use on what screw. Once you know, you know!
Karon Tracey-Cowan, AgTech GIS
March 2020
