With Veris iScan
Self-scanner for farmer's soil
Scan specialist Veris Technologies, together with importer Agrometius, is introducing the Veris iScan. A slimmed-down model of the well-known Veris soil scanner. You mount it on a tool to combine operations. This makes the technology accessible to arable farms.
Since 2013, Agrometius has been offering scanning services in the Benelux with the Veris MSP3 soil scanner. It drives like a cart behind the tractor and analyzes the soil every 10 meters. Several contracting companies invested in the scanning technology. For Europe, the Veris iScan will be officially launched in Hanover. It has been on the market in the United States since spring 2016.
0-60
centimeter
No acidity
The iScan is a slimmed down version of the luxury MSP3† For example, he measures the organic matter content (OS) and the soil texture (clay-humus complex), at a depth of up to 60 centimetres. With the more luxurious model, there are 2 belt widths, from 0-30 and 0-90 centimetres. An NIR sensor measures the OS content. Texture is measured by mapping electrical conductivity. The MSP3 can also visualize the pH value. Essential for variable liming on sandy soil. Agrometius sees the iScan as an addition to the existing scanner.
Self scanner
Large arable farms, or a club of collaborating farmers, are potential customers, thinks marketing manager Maarten van Kampen. "The 'i' in iScan stands for implement. The soil scanner is a kind of seed coulter, which only touches 5 centimeters of soil," he explains. "You can build it on a stubble cultivator, cod harrow, seedbed preparer or seeder. Complex implements (such as planters) are not desirable. Planting demands your attention. You cannot have a scanner with it. Thanks to an adapter plate, it can be exchanged in 15 minutes. The data transfer is wireless. It has its own GPS receiver, but an rtk signal can be plugged in. The machine you hang it on depends on the scanning moment. If you want to spread variable gypsum on clay soil, then mounting on the stubble cultivator is required. to guess."
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The Veris iScan is not a replacement for the well-known MSP3, which works more extensively.Data processing is contract work
In many cases, Agrometius offers a complete package in collaboration with the contractor and Agrifirm. Scanning, data processing, task cards and practical advice, after which the contractor can administer variably. For this, 4 precision soil samples are taken, exactly at the coordinates where the veris scanner drove.
These are also required for the iScan to map the OS content. "A complete 'pro' package with the MSP3 scanner costs €175 per hectare. Since the customer scans with the iScan himself, we only charge an hourly rate for data processing," explains Van Kampen. "Data coming from the sensor is encrypted. This requires special software. We convert the data into a calibrated map. The customer can then receive the raw data, in the form of a shapefile, or a task card."
Cost picture
A major advantage of the new Veris is the cost. That is about half of the MSP3. "This scanner costs €50.000 to €55.000. The iScan is about halfway through," thinks Van Kampen. "Not every arable farmer wants to scan himself, but there is certainly interest. A first model has already covered 500 hectares this autumn. Rental land can be scanned in this way, where this was not done in the past because of costs. We see that the number of scanned hectares is still increasing every year."
Mental Obstacle
The Veris scanning method has proven its worth on sandy soil with variable liming. Its use is widespread. Variable plaster and compost spreading play a role on clay soil. "There are now plenty of options available," says Van Kampen.
"Think of variable planting or sowing. This year we did experiments with variable soil herbicide spraying. Everyone knows that the heaviness of the soil, and the organic matter content, determine the weed pressure and control. Perhaps the biggest hurdle is a mental one. "Reliance on technology is a barrier for some. Ultimately, your income depends on the success of the cultivation. This trust has to grow, but the technology is ready."
The iScan is a kind of seed coulter that you can build on almost any implement.
Niels van der Boom
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