Theme:
tin
Plan g time
AGRICULTURAL
Precision technology
and successful plant action
Successful and optimal crop yield is the result of interaction between soil (physics,
chemistry and biology), crop (soil and climate requirements and characteristics),
climate (in respect of which rainfall intensity and distribution are critical), management
and technology (tractors, implements and precision equipment). What must the producer
do to manage al this elements effectively?
By Petrus van Staden
Precision Farming Specialist and
Lourens Janse van Rensburg
Cerealis Area Manager
O
SOIL
ptimal production starts with
precision maps of soil texture,
soil depth, bulk density and
plant available water capacity.
The chemical maps are used for variable
nutrient application.
TECHNOLOGY
Successful value addition to the investment
in variable application maps is determined
by the planter and the technology which it
is equipped with.
The purpose of the planter is to place
seed in the soil and to create an environ-
ment which is conducive to simultaneous
germination, emergence and an almost
100% exposure of all plants to sunlight.
CROP
The choice of crop is determined by natu-
ral resources, financial considerations and
long-term strategy. The building of organic
matter for the improvement of soil physical
and chemical properties by means of crop
rotation should be considered in order to
decrease risk and to ensure long-term sus-
tainability.
The objective of cultivar choice is to
limit risk and is based on product infor-
mation from seed companies and national
cultivar trials.
CLIMATE
Soil temperature, soil moisture, rainfall and
the midsummer drought are the factors
which determine which crop/cultivar should
be planted when.
06
SENWES SCENARIO | SUMMER 2018
This requirement for optimal seed and
fertiliser placement is critical for optimal
uptake of nutrients, growth and conversion
of light and chemical energy to yield.
A planter has one chance only every
season. Give yourself the best chance. The
old statement of "to measure is to know"
is applicable in this respect. Precision
Planting has developed technology in
terms of which the efficiency of any planter