Prescription maps are read into the system via three file types:
Shape file (*.shp)
Shape files indicate “zones” in the field that will have different rates. These zones can
appear either as a grid or as more of a contour map. The file contains simple GPS poly-
gons, with each individual polygon mapping to a zone.
The system requires the following values for specific parameters in the shape file and
will not accept shape files without these values. Refer to an ICD for shape files for more
information: https://www.esri.com/library/whitepapers/pdfs/shapefile.pdf.
o Shape file version = 1000
o Shape type = Polygon Shape Id (5)
Shape file index (.shx)
- Helps index into the shape file
- Can be used to speed up reading, currently NOT used by the SeedHawk system.
Database format (*.dbf)
The database format file specifies the rates used for each zone. The row in the dbf file
corresponds to the polygon id in the shape file. There can be multiple columns of data
in the dbf file that corresponds to different products that can be selected.
The system requires the following values for specific parameters in the dbf file and will
not accept dbf files without these values. Refer to an ICD for dbf files for more informa-
tion.
o Data Type = Numeric (‘N’)
When the prescription maps are used, they are read into the system and the shape and
dbf files are combined to create a single prescription map. The image to the right is an
example of a prescription map that has been read into the system.
Prescription Mapping
A prescription map, or variable rate map, is used to automatically adjust the
target application rate of a product for a particular field area. Prescription
maps are downloaded from a user’s cloud account and pushed to the Gateway
via the iPad. Once enabled, the target rate data is used to control application
rate and displayed to the user as a color-coded map.
Example prescription map
View QuickStart video
