Trimble introduces Soil Information System, the new feature of the Connected Farm online platform

05.06.2014American agricultural innovator, Trimble, has introduced a new feature, part of the Connected Farm integrated system solution. The Soil Information System or SIS provides comprehensive information related to soil characteristics in 3-D format. Based on this information, farmers can plan farming operations much more precisely. After analyzing the Connected Farm data, the information can be integrated into Trimble's Farm Works management software, or into another GIS platform. Connected Farm facilitates more precise farm management by providing access to rainfall information, weather forecasts, yield maps, irrigation control, and more.Soil Information System is a revolutionary soil 3-D mapping technology equipped with advanced sensors and algorithms for high-resolution soil and topographic information and accuracy. By providing complete information on the physical and chemical properties of the soil, including the distribution of inputs, SIS enables more efficient solutions tailored to the specific characteristics of each part of the plot. Trimble's innovative technology extracts accurate and multi-layered soil models that build on traditional methods applied in modern agriculture. The types of maps produced include maps of root system depth, soil structure, available water for plants, depth of soil compaction, micro- and macroelement levels, nutrient holding capacity, and salt concentration and toxic content.Through pre-sampling soil heterogeneity analysis Trimble's Soil Information System prepares recommendations for the most correct sites for soil sampling. Thus, the number of samples required to extract accurate information is reduced by up to 60% compared to traditional sampling methods. As a result, SIS ensures greater efficiency in the collection of data from the field, reducing the time and cost of carrying out the operation.” By implementing SIS in Connected Farm, Trimble provides farmers and their agronomists with objective soil information so they can optimize the amount of production,” emphasizes Levi Kettle, Business Environment Director at Trimble. For example, knowing the amount of water available to plants makes it much easier for farmers to plan irrigation, adjust humidity sensors, track root system development, and many other management activities.” Variability in yields and quality results primarily from the treatment of areas with heterogeneous soil characteristics as plots with uniform soil characteristics. In the past, our inability to identify the components associated with soil heterogeneity prevented us from standardizing crop cultivation and achieving better economic returns,” said Robert Wampel, agronomist and owner of Edgeknoll Consulting - a company that provides support for the Soil Information System.SIS technology is available in several options depending on the levels of accuracy and resolution required for the respective crop and the goals set by the farmer. The new function of Trimble Connected Farm will soon be available in Bulgaria from Nik Electronics.Source: www.precisionag.com, 3 June 2014