variable rate application

VRA is an element of precision agriculture that is closely linked with GPS Nutrient Mapping. Once your fields have been mapped you will have a sufficient amount of data to help you with the nutrient management decisions on your farm. The maps and reports will show where you can reduce applications as well as highlighting areas that may require a little more fertiliser. Maps showing variations in soil pH will also indicate areas of a field where lime may need to be applied.

 

The fertiliser recommendations that are created are based upon applications of the following straights. TSP for Phosphate (46%), MOP for Potash (60%) and Kieserite for Magnesium (25%). Alternative products can be incorporated into recommendations if required. The four year spreading programme can also be updated annually to allow for changes in rotational cropping. Spreading can then be carried out once a year or biannually to suit the grower.

 

Spreading options For farms that wish to carry out their own spreading but do not have a spreader that is compatible with GPS/VRA, treatment maps can be supplied showing areas of fields that require different rates of application. Although this method is obviously not as precise as using guidance, substantial savings on fertiliser products can still be made.

 

For growers that have compatible fertiliser spreaders PHIELD TEK can supply GPS hardware for installing into the tractor cab. These portable devices will read all of the spreading data from a small memory card enabling any sized farm to reap the full benefits of precision application. Click here for Compatible spreaders

 

Alternatively, for farmers who do not wish to get involved with VRA spreading, PHIELD TEK can arrange for a contractor to carry out the work with specialist machinery. In some areas of the UK certain contractors operate multi bin hoppers which means that two different fertiliser products can be variably applied in one pass reducing spreading costs, compaction and time in the field. A third bin can also be utilised for application of micro nutrients.