The Advantages Of Variable Rate Fertilizer Spreader

By Lucia Weeks





Farming is not an easy task. There are external factors that could affect both quality and quantity of the harvests. Although most of these are beyond human control, there are means to maximize certain factors. Since time immemorial, manures are applied in natural farming to sustain the nutrients for the plants. Of course, with technological advancements come agricultural innovations as well.



One of the latest developments in the field of agriculture is the introduction of variable rate fertilizer spreader. Farmers acknowledge the fact that various plants have varying degrees of needs particularly in the amount of nutrients they require. Thus, it is wrong and impractical to apply the same amount of fertilizers in every plant. Nonetheless, it is too time consuming for the farmers to manually do the application especially in vast farms.



The variable rate fertilization technology aims to cater to this concern. The automated applicator can determine the right amount of fertilizer for each plant. The sensors in the spreader gathers data real-time on top of the spread pattern information initially entered based on the field details. This ensures that the machine can adapt to the changing needs of the plants. The automation also provides quicker coverage for such a wide area.



The VRF is good for the environment because it decreases the potential impact of excessive fertilizers to nature. Applying an inordinate amount of chemical to the ground can affect the nutrient content of the soil, alter its properties and contaminate ground water due to leaching. Eventually, such abuse could adversely affect the quality of future harvests.



The farmers can also maximize their profits. Since each plant is fertilized with just the right amount, no more fertilizers are wasted. With this, the farmers can cut down up to 40 per cent of the quantity they used before. They can save thousands on unnecessary costs. Also, fewer fertilizers per acre implies less fuel costs.



Therefore, return of investment is sure to be expected. Besides significant reduction of expenses, farmers can also capitalize on the present field conditions. This can help improve the quality of the crops for the future yields. This could lead to consistency in growth pattern, too, which will become a valuable asset a few years in the future.



A typical example of an automated applicator consists of a 3-ton spreader and optical sensors on the side. These sensors gather all variables that must be considered in determining the quantity and spread pattern. Such variables may be spatial, predictive or temporal.



Spatial variables are about the composition of the soil. Some examples include soil's pH value, the presence of pests or diseases and potential crop growth. Predictive variables are composed of the factors that can be foreseen like the weather and yield. Temporal variables are something that are expected to change every now and then, such as growth and seasonal changes.



The variable rate spreader undeniably works to a farmer's advantage. In fact, more citrus growers are using this technology nowadays. When choosing a spreader, remember that not one size fits all. In order to fully optimize its purpose, you can customize the design. The most popular types include row crop spreaders, self-propelled spreader, truck spreaders and many others.









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