Grainswest - Tech 2023

Tech 2023 Grains West 26 Soil smarts On a field tour in southern Saskatchewan, Elston Solberg, senior agronomic advisor to South Country Equipment and Crop Intelligence, had an aha moment. Probes indicated the farm’s soil moisture content was unexpectedly high, but it was too late in the season for the farmer to capitalize and boost yield. This led to the 2017 creation of the Regina, SK, company’s Crop Intelligence system, which determines water driven yield potential. The system collects current soil moisture and rainfall data. Its moisture modelling software also draws upon historical weather information to determine the crop’s expected water use. This allows the farmer and their agronomist to make better crop production decisions, said Andrea De Roo, Crop Intelligence director of agronomy. “It’s built on simple agronomic fundamentals and basic economics, she said. “How much water can your soil texture hold, and how many bushels can you grow per volume of water you have.” In its first year, Crop Intelligence accurately informed clients they had greater yield potential than dry conditions implied. Though it has typically been good at predicting yield in water- limited conditions, De Roo stressed this is not its goal, but rather to define opportunity for the farmer. And as more data is gathered, this ability is further refined. Within seven days of seeding, Crop Intelligence places the weather station and sensor hardware in the field. These are removed at freeze-up. Temperature and humidity sensors also help the user evaluate disease and insect risk, which contributes to input decision making. New clients typically start with a couple of stations, said De Roo. To optimally account for the farm’s unique soil profile, they may eventually employ one for every 1,500 to 2,000 acres. “We’re not just an in-season tool,” said De Roo. “We focus on planning, seeding and your applications. Then you have your harvest data and fall preparation for the following year.” A year-end report provides long-term strategy for production and yield. “ It’s built on simple agronomic fundamentals and basic economics.” – Andrea De Roo With an in-field soil moisture probe and weather sensor, the Crop Intelligence app calculates water driven yield potential. Photo: Courtesy of Crop Intelligence FEATURE