Some comments.

Sand85 – the data analysis you want is called integrated response surface analysis and time series analysis. The individual pieces were developed in the 30’s/40’s. Not used (or even taught) historically because they are computationally intensive. An approach for integration was figured out and validated in 2012.

Digrimmus – the plow pan system is called a multi-segmented horizontal penetrometer. Descriptions of those goes back 25 years.

GPS85 – Only know of one study where a big field was harvested one row at a time with real-time yield monitoring. The results were expected but still blew me away. The solution is simple - tramlines.

High resolution LIDAR data for Iowa and most of the US is good for 8”. Do you need better? A drone flying LIDAR is the best way to collect better data? Processing elevation data from equipment is fraught with problems starting with the accuracy of the GPS system used on the equipment.

GrainTrader – Foresters have been able to fly over a field and identify every tree by species for 20 years now. It’s called hyperspectral imaging. It can also identify the carbon content in those trees and tell you how much they grew since the last image. It has been used by big ag for at least a decade. Good systems are available for use on drones from at least two companies. The problem is that to analyze the data, one needs the spectral signatures for each crop/weed/disease/growth stage. But if you had that data, you would be able to hold big ag accountable. There are a group of companies trying to miniaturize this technology so a system can be integrated into a smartphone Instant food quality analysis.

Beeswing720 - Now you have to do your homework because it is not enough to say, somebody told me about this.