Yield mapping is the result of a convergence of new technologies: yield monitors and global positioning systems. Farmers can now see how their yields vary across a field, year after year. This is a powerful tool in developing a site-specific management approach to farming.
"If yield varies across a field and my input cash costs are constant then doesn't my profit change across my field?
You bet it does. We've just never paid attention to it before because we didn't have the tools.
Creating a Money Map
A money map is a map of areas of profit and loss within a field. Yield mapping software from combine harvester manufacturers doesn't handle economic analysis (the bottom line!). By using the Money Map tool in conjunction with your yield mapping software, you can convert your yield maps into maps of profit. Your yield maps will then show the economic zones where you cover your direct cash costs and your total cash plus fixed costs. These economic zones will contribute to improved decision making, by giving knowledge about where management is working and where it needs improvement.
Features
Stand alone software format works with any IBM type PC. No need for software compatibility concerns.
Runs on Windows 95 & 98 (successfully tested on Win2000).
Runs independent of your yield mapping software.
Comes with documentation showing how to use this with yield mapping software from the major combine harvester manufacturers.
Allows user to run different "what if" scenarios with ranges of input costs and crop prices.
User can multiply area summaries from yield maps with values of each economic zone to calculate total field revenue.
Compressed file = 4 MB
AND ... it's FREE!
How do I use Money Map?
Generate your yield map using whichever software you have.
Launch Money Map, select the soil zone you are in and the crop you are growing. You will be presented with a database of current economic data from Alberta Agriculture.
Alter as many cells of data in the application with data particular to your farm, crop production costs and crop prices.
Record the yield values from Money Map for the various economic thresholds (e.g. bushels to cover variable costs) of your crop.
Set the bushel values from point 4 above as class limits in your yield mapping software.
The resulting map will be a money map. You can manually re-label the legend to reflect dollar values and use the area calculations to reflect the revenue for the field.
Examine the new yield/money map and evaluate the profitability of different parts of your field.
The economic zones will give the information needed to help improve decision making about where to spend limited resources or make changes in farming practices.
What if I don't have a yield monitor or yield mapping capabilities?
Money Map can still be a valuable tool for you. Here's how ...
For each field write down what you think the average yield was. Also consider what the average yield was for the poorest third of the field and the best third of the field.
Launch Money Map, select the soil zone you are in and the crop you are growing. You will be presented with a spreadsheet of current economic data from Alberta Agriculture.
Alter as many cells of data on the spreadsheet with data particular to your farm, crop production costs and crop prices.
Record the yield values from Money Map for the various economic thresholds (e.g. bushels to cover variable costs) of your crop.
Set up a contrast table comparing your estimated yields for a particular field with the yields from point 4 above. Consider your management options.
1999 Wheat Yield on a 1/4 Section Yield
1999 Profit/Loss Map on a 1/4 Section
This information is maintained by Sheilah Nolan
Last Revised/Reviewed December 4, 2001
