A new precision farming service based on a collaborative approach between the agronomist and grower is to be launched this autumn, with the aim of improving economic crop output and environmental gains.

FieldSense, developed by agronomy firm ProCam, uses satellite mapping of both soil and crop variability to derive variable rate input applications, tailored to in-field variations.

Nigel Scott, the firms’ regional technical manager, explains: “What makes FieldSense particularly appealing is that the system is based on a collaborative approach between the agronomist and grower, rather than growers having to do everything themselves. It is precision agronomy through partnership.

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“It will be the ProCam agronomist who makes sense of the satellite images, drawing on their experience and ground-truthing any anomalies that the images might reveal.”

This can be combined with the farmer’s own knowledge of the field. Once maps have been interpreted, the agronomist will produce variable rate files for downloading directly to the tractor that is controlling the drill or fertiliser applicator, he says.

ProCam western region technical manager Harry James notes the first phase of the launch will focus on four key areas for combinable cropping: grid-based soil sampling, variable rate seeding, variable rate nitrogen, phosphate, potash, and lime applications; and yield mapping input.

“In one test, we’ve found that almost double the seed rate was needed in poorer areas of a field to bring tiller numbers back up towards the better areas.

“Without this knowledge, poorer areas would have been drilled at suboptimal density, risking suboptimal yield,” says Harry.

The process starts by mapping fields into various sized grids, he continues.

For example, one hectare squares for soil sampling, 24x24m square grids for variable rate fertiliser spreading, and 6x6m squared grids for variable rate drilling, or the most appropriate grid size for the width of machine.

Growers are able to “cherry pick” parts of the package relevant to their farm, and can begin by trying the tech over just a few hectares.

The agronomy service can also be used to claim the Sustainable Farming Incentive variable rate nutrient application which pays £27/ha.