Field efficiency determination from spatial data.

Field efficiency data are important criteria for determining the expected field capacity and, indirectly, other important machinery management decisions The data gathered with a yield monitor during harvest and a monitor during planting was used to provide time sequenced studies for equipment and operator productivity This manuscript will use spatial data gathered by a farmer to determine field performance of a combine and planter Five fields were used to compare results from soybean and corn production Fields which are relatively flat with straight-rows are contrasted with fields contoured with slopes up to 3-5% Field efficiency, operational speeds, unproductive times and operator performance will be discussed When contour patterns were compared with the straight-rows, field efficiency dropped by 10 and 20% for planting and harvesting, respectively