Precision Sensing in

Golf Course Wildlife

Precision Sensing in

Golf Course Wildlife

AestheticsAesthetics

vs.vs.

Agriculture Agriculture

Aesthetics vs. AgricultureAesthetics vs. Agriculture

• Two completely different industries with unrelated definitions of success using varying techniques of precision technology to satisfy the same concept…

• Precision has multiple meanings?

• Same relative goals (reduce N use, make $/save $, conserve water, efficiency, conserve environment!!!)

• Two completely different industries with unrelated definitions of success using varying techniques of precision technology to satisfy the same concept…

• Precision has multiple meanings?

• Same relative goals (reduce N use, make $/save $, conserve water, efficiency, conserve environment!!!)

What we both want…What we both want…

• Improved Efficiency • Improved Efficiency

• More Time• More Time

• Ease of Use!• Ease of Use!

• Precision Equipment• Precision Equipment

That is reliableThat is reliable

Definition of Precision…Definition of Precision…

• On a golf course, precision must equal perfection…

• In agronomy terms, precision means having the ability to treat every square inch of your field individually in order to obtain a maximum yield

Futures in Golf Course Precision Sensing

Futures in Golf Course Precision Sensing

Agricultural researchers recently learned that significant differences in soil test results can occur

at distances less than 1 meter (m), or about 39 inches (Raun et al., 1998), and Solie et al. (1999)

suggested that soil, plant and indirect measurements should be made at the meter or sub-meter level. Raun et al. (2002) conducted a study to determine the validity of using optically

sensed in-season estimates of grain yield (INSEY) and a response index in winter wheat (Triticum

aestivum L.) at the 1 square meter level. Nitrogen-use efficiency was improved by greater

than 15 percent when N fertilization was based on optically sensed INSEY determined for each

square meter and a response index compared to traditional practices at a single N rate. The use of optical sensors may help golf course managers increase or maintain adequate turfgrass quality while reducing the total amount of N fertilizer applied. However, turfgrass managers are not

concerned with increasing yield. Turfgrass managers are concerned with improving or

maintaining adequate turfgrass quality for their particular playing conditions.

Precision Inevitable?Precision Inevitable?

Conservation is the new universal language…Conservation is the new universal language…

Golf Course Wildlife and Precision SensingGolf Course Wildlife and Precision Sensing

• Elk

• Deer

• Bears

• Voles

• Elk

• Deer

• Bears

• Voles Kangaroos?Kangaroos?

And the damage is…And the damage is…

Elk!!!Elk!!!

• Estimated 1700-2200 elk in the valley

• Protected by Dept. of Wildlife

• Elk “divots”, typically 12” to 6 ft in diameter

• Estimated 1700-2200 elk in the valley

• Protected by Dept. of Wildlife

• Elk “divots”, typically 12” to 6 ft in diameter

The Process…The Process…• During the winter, hundreds of 1500 pound elk seek shelter and food on the golf course.

• During which, they are continuously urinating, sparring, feeding, and generally acting like wild beasts…

• Elk urine is secreted at body temperatures in high volumes, During fall and winter, when the soil and air temperatures are low, the turf is stress considerably (usually killed) and cannot synthesize the chemicals in the urine nor handle the extreme change in temperature…

The Cost…The Cost…• Scalp• Scalp

• Sand & Seed• Sand & Seed

• Green dye, perennial rye seed

• Green dye, perennial rye seed

• Labor• 3-5 men, 1 ½ weeks, 100 hrs per week

• Labor• 3-5 men, 1 ½ weeks, 100 hrs per week

• Combine with monoammonium phosphate (11-52-0)

• Combine with monoammonium phosphate (11-52-0)

Resod?Resod?

The Problem…The Problem…• As you can see, just the first phase of repairing these elk divots is extremely costly…but what about maintenance?

• These divots become increasingly difficult to maintain throughout the season due to the plant’s need for a stable environment and the superintendent’s need for regular maintenance…

• Both rotary and reel-type mowers can completely destroy the new seedling environment and germination process (and usually does) while completing routine maintenance work…

• A fine example of spatial variability and a need for precision management…

Trees too…Trees too…

• 1200 trees require fencing

• 1200 trees require fencing

VolesVoles

• Like a mole but smaller and with a shorter tail

• Feeds on soil insects, eliminates contact with root and soil by burrowing and leaves trail of dead grass on top of tunnel

• Like a mole but smaller and with a shorter tail

• Feeds on soil insects, eliminates contact with root and soil by burrowing and leaves trail of dead grass on top of tunnel

Other pesky critters…Other pesky critters…

• Feed on trees/plants

• Regular activity

• HUGE piles of…

• General chaos associated with a bear on the course

• Feed on trees/plants

• Regular activity

• HUGE piles of…

• General chaos associated with a bear on the course

• Feed on trees

• Traffic

• Feces

• Feed on trees

• Traffic

• Feces

Problems…Problems…

• Adjustment Time

• Survey of damage cannot be completed until snow melts

• LIABILITY!

• The future of automated equipment is nearing…when will superintendents be willing to exchange their human operators for a computer?

• Adjustment Time

• Survey of damage cannot be completed until snow melts

• LIABILITY!

• The future of automated equipment is nearing…when will superintendents be willing to exchange their human operators for a computer?

• Will a machine recognize mohawks, line quality, a bad cut? Only the future will tell…

• Will a machine recognize mohawks, line quality, a bad cut? Only the future will tell…

ConclusionConclusion

• The wildlife were here first and deserve our respect

• Wildlife enhance the beauty of our experience no matter what the activity

• Laws and restrictions in the future will force us to utilize new, innovative, & conservative management techniques

• What use is the equipment if the equipment manages us?

• The future is now…conservation is the key!

Respect & Appreciate our Planet

Without it we have no golf, no agriculture, no wildlife…

Respect & Appreciate our Planet

Without it we have no golf, no agriculture, no wildlife…

Happy Earth DayHappy Earth Day