CLU Data Uses

The following descriptions illustrate some of the ways agricultural producers and professionals in related industries use CLU data.

Farmers & Ranchers
Field borders can be downloaded into GPS units for information needed when working in specific fields, and is vital to precision farming techniques, field record keeping and accounting programs. CLU data is utilized in keeping records of fertilizer and chemical application by field and data can be sent electronically or printed for use by custom applicators, showing the correct field border and acres. CLU data can help farm workers locate the correct fields.

Field borders can be downloaded into GPS units for information needed when working in specific fields, and is vital to precision farming techniques, field record keeping and accounting programs. CLU data is utilized in keeping records of fertilizer and chemical application by field and data can be sent electronically or printed for use by custom applicators, showing the correct field border and acres. CLU data can help farm workers locate the correct fields.

Auctioneers, Realtors, Rural Appraisers:
CLU data can help verify accurate acreage of land for sale. Specific information about the land is also useful. For example, most rural property for sale will be represented as total acres for sale. However, buyers are interested in knowing how many of those acres are productive or tillable. For appraisers, CLU data is critical for comparative sales.

Lenders
In addition to total acres to be purchased, lenders need to know details about the land such as land usage, forest, production, barren, etc, all of which is available in the CLU data. It is also a tool that lenders can use to verify information given to them by customers.

Chemical Companies
Chemical companies use CLU data when working with applicators and operators to verify acres of fields sprayed with their products for contracts, rebates, etc.

Seed Companies
CLU data used to determine acreages can ensure ordering correct amounts of seeds. Downloading correct field borders and soils survey data to GIS is used to create variable rate seeding maps.

Crop Consultants
Visual maps and reports of correct fields and acreages can be produced by crop consultants to report their observations to the operators. Borders and other data sets downloaded into GIS are used to create maps for grid or zone soil testing, variable rate fortifying, chemical application, or planting.

Ag Applicators (aerial, chemical, fertilizer, and manure)
When taking orders from producers, cooperative and county elevators can produce a map-based report that shows the correct field borders and acres to ensure the job is done correctly and efficiently. Field borders downloaded directly into GPS help applicators verify the correct field before starting the application. Data is also used to build variable rate application maps as needed. Liquid manure applicators can measure distance from the lagoon to the targeted fields.

Farm Equipment Companies
The field borders can be loaded into GPS equipment and displayed with acreage, allowing the operator verify that he is working in the correct field and providing information needed for precision farming operations. Once the operation is completed it can be transferred to the farmer’s record keeping system.

Easement Personnel
CLU data is used to search for routes that have the best environmental and economical effect for the project. CLU data classifications of urban, cropland, forest, water body, barren, tundra, range, mined, other, and perennial snow and ice can save large amounts of personnel time, travel time and fuel use.

Custom Farm Operations
Data downloaded to GPS can help identify correct field locations, correct acreage for ordering product and help estimate time needed to complete jobs. Map based invoices can be created, displaying acres of the fields.

County Taxation Department
Identifying CLU data classification of urban, cropland, forest, water body, barren, tundra, range, mined, other, and perennial snow and ice is used for applying the correct tax code to the property. Total acreage owned is on record but having the field borders and classification allows assessments of uniform and fair taxes.

GIS/GPS Software and Hardware Companies
These companies have designed programs to utilize and display the field borders that save time and trips to the field location, which creates cost savings. Procedures like variable rate application, planting, soil testing, etc., are made possible using this specialized software.

Universities
Mainly land grant colleges or agricultural trade schools utilize CLU data within their studies to teach students how to incorporate the information into GPS/GIS programs for various land management uses.

Well Drillers/Drain Tiles
CLU data is used to determine the correct field, acres for positioning the center pivot for irrigation and loading the field border into GIS/GPS for placing drain tile.

Livestock Fencing Companies
CLU data can be used to measure areas that will be fenced, saving a drive to the location to measure or estimate the field. Companies can prepare and print or email estimates within minute, without having to leave the office. Estimating and field work can be done in the evening (dark) or inclement weather allowing actual fencing work during good working conditions, which increasing productivity and saving time and fuel.

Land Managers (agricultural, fencing, and wildlife)
Land managers use CLU data to identify the different attributes of the land such as urban, cropland, forest, water body, barren, tundra, range, mined, other, and perennial snow and ice, enabling them to determine the best crops, trees, or game use for the acres. Data can be used with specific databases to keep records for clients and for government agencies.

Carbon Credit Users
Companies and programs working with farmers and ranchers use CLU data to identify specified field acres when processing carbon credit payments.

Township and County Weed Boards
Locating and identifying locations with noxious weed problems for clipping or chemical application.

Law Enforcement
Law enforcement agencies utilize CLU data in their investigations and tracking illegal activities.

Multi Peril Crop Insurance (MPCI) Companies
MPCI companies are working to receive this information from the USDA for their clients through what is called the Common Information Management System (CIMS). However, even when it is available, this option will not work for the independent crop adjuster who does not use a company that provides a mapping solution. These independent adjustors need an independent source for field border data, which they enter into a mapping system provided by a third party.

Crop Hail Insurance
Companies that may have future access to CLU data for MPCI use can only use it for that purpose. In order for a crop hail product to be used on a national basis, data from a public domain source will be needed. Crop hail policies include land descriptions that dictate which section is insured and the map shows the field borders. Maps showing field borders and acres are needed for adjusters to process a crop hail loss.