Developing ‘precision soil maps’ to assist with ensuring the UK’s future food security

Tuesday 11th October 2016

Intelligent Precision Farming (IPF) is part of a two year collaborative project aiming to help arable farmers and landowners from England, Wales and Scotland make a more affordable entry into precision farming. The project will utilise high resolution satellite data processed using a soil brightness algorithm developed by IPF to show where soil quality variation exists in fields. IPF have been using soil brightness since 2012 as an inexpensive alternative to soil scientist surveying. Whilst it has proven to be an attractive proposition to farmers it has its limitations as it is unable to explain the nature of the soil variation. This satellite data will be analysed by experts from the Cranfield Soil and Agrifood Centre and modelled alongside Britain’s most comprehensive soil datasets. By combining soil brightness with soil datasets this project aims to explain the variation in soil which has not been possible before. This should present an economically viable alternative to the current labour

intensive method of field soil surveys, with growers able to increase yields with lower input costs and reduced environmental impact. IPF’s role in the project is to identify and survey 20 farms. This ground-truthed data will be used to test a model that can be rolled out across the country. By enriching the current soil brightness dataset IPF will be in a better position to offer low cost entry to farmers seeking to employ precision farming techniques. Precision farming involves dividing fields into smaller management zones which have specific characteristics – soil being the most important. Using such precision data has been proven to lead to better yield results across all crops when compared with traditional and conventional farming. On average, IPF farmers enjoy wheat yields 26% higher than the national average and save over £17 per hectare on their P, K and Mg applications. However, to date, the perceived high cost of entry has proved a barrier for many farmers. IPF is part of Courtyard Agriculture Ltd; a soil and grassland consultancy business set up 30 years ago. With a strong background in soil science, IPF firmly believe that managing land according to soil variation will produce the highest economic returns. IPF was developed ten years ago and now services over 150,000 hectares across the UK. Key innovators in the precision farming sector, IPF are widely regarded as the leading independent authority on precision farming in the UK. Max Dafforn, IPF UK’s General Manager, said: “When soil brightness technology arrived five years ago it represented a real breakthrough in terms of farmers joining the precision farming revolution. Approximately 40% of our current customer base has now been zoned using soil brightness,

rather than the traditional soil scientist approach, and it is becoming an increasingly popular choice as farmers look for lower cost entry into precision farming.” Max Dafforn continued: “We were keen to be a part of this project as we believe the combination of new satellite technology with traditional soil survey data offers the best approach for farmers looking for an affordable way to zone their fields. More and more evidence is becoming available that highlights the financial benefit of precision farming. Our hope is that the new precision soil maps will give more confidence to farmers who have not yet begun targeting inputs using soil management zones.” The two year project is being led by software developers and satellite imagery providers, AgSpace Agriculture Ltd. Other partners in the two-year project include Cranfield University who will be leading the technical aspects of the modelling phase, the James Hutton Institute based in Aberdeen, Scotland, who will provide data on Scottish soils and Agri-EPI Ltd, one of the new UK centres of agricultural innovation who will be marketing and exploiting the precision soil map.

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Notes to editors: About IPF IPF is part of Courtyard Agriculture Ltd, a UK-based, family run business. The company offers precision farming services via the web-based IPF Toolbox. This system allows farmers to store all their precision farming data and create targeted application plans for inputs such as seed, fertiliser and lime. Courtyard have been operating all over the UK for over 30 years and in 2014 began offering precision farming services in southern Africa. IPF and developments In 2014 IPF won the UK leg of the European Satellite Navigation Competition. The competition was looking for innovative ways to use satellite products. ‘seeCrop’ was an idea building on the current satellite imagery provided to IPF customers. In addition to just viewing satellite imagery on a hand-held device the seeCrop app would allow farmers to pinpoint and record areas of pests, weeds and diseases. Following funding and support from the European Space Agency (ESA) IPF were able to develop the seeCrop app. Launched in 2015 seeCrop is used by IPF farmers as an additional crop walking tool, allowing them to identify and investigate areas of poor growth quickly and take action. For further information please contact: Max Dafforn, Courtyard Agriculture. T: +44 (0) 1793 421345 Email: max.dafforn@ipf-uk.com