|
|
|
by Gord Leathers A growing number of Manitoba |
The probe is a plastic rod, coated in a-resin that makes the probe behave the way a plant root does. It has a tiny electrical charge on its sur- face and this helps the probe collect nutrients the same way a plant root does at the microscopic level. These nutrients are collected from the sur- face of the probe so it not only shows their presence, but whether plants can gain access to them in the soil. "I think it's a different approach and it gives a bit of insight into how the physical condition of the soil might influence availability," explained University of Saskatchewan soil scientist Jeff Schoenau, who helped develop the probe. "It's very useful when it comes to nitrogen and phosphorus. for mineralization and release from the solid phase." The numbers generated by the probe are fed into a computer pro- gram that looks at different soil fac- tors, such as clay and sand content, as well as moisture and type crop you intend to grow. What pops up in the windows along the sides are recom- mendations for fertilizer and a pre- dicted yield. By changing the num- bers, a farmer can see how the com- puter predicts changes in yield. The results are summed up with a yield estimate after harvest, right down to costs and returns. "The PRS forecaster gives a very powerful insight into the kind of balance and amounts of different fertilizer nutrients that are needed to maximize return on the fertilizer input dollars," said Ken Greer, the other soil scientist who helped develop the probe. "It's notjust a soil test, it's a tool to manage your pro- ductivity and, I think, a powerful tool in crop nutrition planning." |
Neufeld agreed. The tests done on his fields recommended he could reduce the level of fertilizer he used but still maintain his yields. "One very interesting thing was my phosphate use," he said. "It required very little phosphate on some fields, so I cut way back on it and the yields were still very good. Instead ofblanketing my farm with nitrogen, which is skyrocketing this year, the costs of nitrogen are down significantly and also other inputs." The PRS may also be used for field planning. Once the computer has crunched the numbers and shown the potential yields, a farmer may decide to run With a different crop. "Guys sometime have it predeter- mined and decide that this field is where I'll grow barley this spring," he said. "But when we look at the nutrient levels in the soil and at what barley actually requires, we're maybe better off planning a different crop that's going to make us more money on the farm." The PRS probe and software were recognized by the National Science and Engineering Research Council (NSERC) with a Synergy Award for innovation, presented to Schoenau and Greer, who are both farmers as well as soil scientists. "It's an award that's put out by NSERC and it recognizes on a national level, innovation and part- nership between researchers and industry to take an idea from prod- uct to a commercial entity and suc- cess," Schoenau said., "The awarq is great: Greer added, "But without the service reps and WIthout the customers actually buy- ing this, there would have been no reason to give us the award, So really it's all thanks to the customers." There are currently three field representatives in Manitoba, listed on the Western Ag web site at www.westernag.ca. |