Three Ways to Increase Farm Efficiency by Yield Mapping

Yield data is among the most important information that farmers today monitor. It allows them to assess whether the application of variable rate meterials pays off or if it is better to bet on the flat rate. And experienced farmers know that the more detailed they monitor yield data — by plots, by crops, by areas of different productivity — the more opportunities this information affords them. Typically, during the season, farmers use yield mapping for several purposes, including:

• Crop insurance;
• Planning the transportation of the crop;
• Placement of the necessary resources around the harvest and the necessary storage capacity of the crop
• Financial planning, budget preparation and calculation of financial result

In this article, we want to show you three ways to increase the efficiency of your farm through detailed yield mapping.

1. Optimize your fertilization costs

Yield mapping systems, such as Trimble Yield Monitoring technology, allow you to monitor harvest results in real time, and you can clearly see higher and lower yield areas. Immediately after harvest in weak areas, a soil sampling can be carried out to find out what nutrients the soil needs and to draw up maps with a variable fertilization rate. Fertilizing in the right place with the right amount also leads to optimization of input costs and higher results, which you can track through the yield maps in the following season. Of course, leveling the yield in the field is a process that can take several years, therefore, specialist agronomists also recommend the use of subscription plans for soil and plant sampling, analyzes and recommendations for at least 4 consecutive years. One such solution is the complex AgroBalance service, which, in addition to sampling and analysis, also includes preparation of fertilization recommendations and application maps with variable rate.

2. Check if you fertilize where and as much as needed

One of the main goals of variable rate fertilization is to ensure that you are feeding only those areas of the field that really need nutrients, and with the right amount, so that you achieve the desired results without harming the crops and the environment. Yield mapping can show you very clearly whether this goal has been achieved by comparing data from previous years. Detailed monitoring of data by plots, crops and zones will allow you to perform much more accurate comparisons and data analyses. In addition, you can bet on programs for satellite scanning of crops - such as GeoScan, which will allow you to track the development of crops during the growing season and assess whether the presence of problem areas in the field is due to adverse climatic conditions, flooding or drought, pests and others

3. Plan, plan, plan

One of the most useful features of yield mapping systems like Trimble Yield Monitoring is that it allows you to plan many aspects of farm work. As already mentioned, the yield data by zone will help you determine where fertilizers are needed, and with soil samples and analyzes you will understand what quantity and of which nutrients to apply. Thanks to the data on productivity by varieties, you can assess which ones you want to bet on for the next season and improve your choice of seeds, compared to the data of previous years. Information can also contribute to a more efficient organization of processes before, during and after harvest, which again consumes not only time but also resources.Having detailed information brings numerous benefits to farmers, but it is important that the data is not only collected, but also used correctly. Ask your NIK sales representative how yield mapping systems can be useful for increasing the efficiency of your farm!