New! Precision Spraying – Prescription maps for plant protection

Where are the fine adjustment screws for yield and costs?

Precision farming is becoming an integral part of arable farming. The development of product prices, the professionalisation of agriculture and the legal framework have led to increasing interest in precision farming. Intensive research and trials have built up valuable expertise on possible applications, advantages and benefits. Field trials at the Francisco Josephinum have demonstrated fertiliser savings and crop homogenisation through site-specific fertilisation in cereals. Trials by Saatbau Linz and Josephinum Research show an increase in yield with variable maize sowing in years with increased plant stress.

In addition to the familiar functions for site-specific fertilisation and variable maize sowing, Farmdok now also offers a module for creating variable crop protection maps. Precision farming in crop protection achieves the following goals:

• Targeted treatment where necessary and avoidance where possible & sensible. As a rule, this also leads to a reduction in the quantities applied and to cost savings.
• Effective treatment at the required intensity to enable optimum nutrient utilisation by the plant, decimate pathogens and ensure high yields.

Good results have been achieved in practice with the variable application of growth regulators in cereals. Growth regulators are applied in full concentration where a strong shortening is to be achieved to avoid lodged grain. In zones of lower biomass, application rates are reduced. While there is a risk of yield losses due to excessive concentrations when applying constant application rates, a reduction on these sub-areas not only avoids yield losses, but also saves on growth regulators. Precision spraying increases economic efficiency.
Caution! Experts call for cautious and skilful handling when varying application rates in crop protection. Too low concentrations of insecticides can lead to the development of resistance. With herbicides, too, there is a risk that the desired effect will not materialise or that sustainable control will not be achieved. Variable application of fungicides should only be considered if further applications are planned (template). It is also not advisable at later growth stages.

Is the necessary technology available? Differentiate yourself from the competition! Utilise advantages!

With the farm management solution Farmdok Performance, Farmdok now offers a module for the variable application of growth regulators and fungicides. In contrast to other providers, the application map for all fields of a crop can be created in Farmdok in a single operation.
The product selection includes all plant protection products authorised by AGES. After selecting the pest pathogen and entering the maximum application rate, the most important plant protection regulations are checked live and warnings are issued in the event of breaches of the rules. A link to the plant protection register leads directly to the detailed information on the authorisation.
The application map can be exported as usual as ISOXML task data or in shape format and loaded onto the tractor display. For John Deere tractors, the prescription map can also be transferred directly from the Farmdok web app to the tractor.

Experts tweak the fine adjustment screws for more success on the field.

Precision Spraying from Farmdok is the ideal digital tool for securing yields and optimising costs.