Our digital workday
The possibilities and expectations of digitalisation are increasing. The questions are which systems help us in our management and precision work, and which systems are maintained, improved and updated. Generally, it is difficult to find out which system is the right choice.
Six years ago, we began using automatic steering in our tractors. We have RKT steering, which means that we can steer with a precision of 1-3 cm. We have registered our fields in the systems and set up the permanent tracks in the rows between trial plots. Development has stood still for some time, and we have not used all the possibilities available in the systems. This could be due to a lack of competence and knowledge in the area.
Following a recent visit to our supplier of the automatic steering systems, it seems that we can take a step forward as it is now possible to buy a drop box in which we can store data from the treatments and jobs carried out in the field in question, e.g. amount of fertiliser, chemical dosage, etc.
With such a system, we will also be able to synchronise the systems via the Internet from a PC. This will improve documentation of our work and hopefully enable us to link to the other digital systems we use later on. Our next wish is for a user-friendly GIS program by which we can digitalise trial sketches to be used in our systems.
AGRO is testing Nordic Field Trial
In 2019, AGRO’s three field trial units are testing the Nordic Field Trial System. This is a system for trial planning and data management in field trials developed and maintained by the Danish Technological Institute.
From this system, we have online access to our trial plans, the location of the trials, etc. The field technicians carrying out the trials can also monitor task management and treatments online and enter registrations directly into hand terminals. By using this system, we also have access to the same procedure descriptions as the national trials.
Technology for field and meetings
For documentation for the public sector, we use Markonline, which is available through Seges. Here we have the possibility of using mobile phone apps for continuous updating of fertiliser application, use of chemicals and updating of field treatments. It is also possible to make hot spots for entering problematic weeds into field maps. The system keeps track of the permitted doses of pesticides, fertiliser, crop rotations, etc.
We have introduced Skype and Vmeet status meetings in which the researchers we supply data to can take stock of their projects. This saves us a lot of transport time, and we feel that we are still part of the community, which is motivating for our further work in the projects.
These are just some of the digital solutions we are testing and using. There are lots more possibilities, but they require competence, staff development and time for developing the systems that are targeted at our needs.
After a successful 125th anniversary of the long-term fertiliser trials I would like thank the staff in AGRO for their great support and assistance.
HAVE A NICE SUMMER!