Virtual Agronomist from CropMetrics is the agricultural industry’s first and only complete precision ag management solution designed for both Non-Irrigated and Irrigated acres with a unique emphasis on center pivot irrigation. Driven by data, the new Virtual Agronomist employs a whole systems approach to affordably and reliably enhancing traditional agronomic programs.
It all starts with consulting grower clients on the latest precision ag concepts then working together to build a strategic management plan that fully integrates seed, soil, and water into a single precision program.
See the latest yield data results from the 2011 VRI Yield Trials.
Optimize every acre.
Utilizing professional data processing, specialized agronomic software and local agronomy support, Virtual Agronomist works to help optimize farm inputs, improve crop yields and maximize profitability across every acre.
Every Virtual Agronomist acre is fully supported by a certified Precision Data Specialist with extensive local agronomy knowledge and GIS (geographic information system) software training. These experts work to leverage grower knowledge and experience while insuring all data analysis and variable rate prescriptions are managed and delivered in a turnkey manner that does not add to, disrupt or even change normal day-to-day farming routines.
Know your variables. Manage your inputs. Optimize your yields.
The first step in building a strong precision foundation is to one-time collect EM (electromagenetic) survey or Veris EC (electrical conductivity) data along with RTK elevation data. These high resolution field data collection services can often be purchased through local agronomists and ag retailers.
Once collected, CropMetrics utilizes large-scale GIS Data Processing to derive EM and Landscape Change data layers that can now be effectively utilized by the award winning Virtual Agronomist software and new VA Gateway desktop applications to geospatially characterize field variability and start managing with true precision.
Virtual Agronomst was recently awarded the 2011 AE50 Award for top 50 new technologies in agriculture.
Variable Rate Fertilizer prescriptions along with Optimal Soil Sampling Locations can be quickly generated and delivered to help increase productivity, improve nutrient use efficiency and reduce nitrogen leeching.
Advanced Variable Rate Seeding or VRS prescriptions can be precisely generated to site-specifically increase or decrease seed populations across variable areas of the field that historically demonstrate high, average or low yields. These precision VRS prescriptions come ready-to-go and fully compatible with your variable rate seed planter.
To improve irrigation scheduling and conserve water, Virtual Agronomist can identify the Optimum Probe Location, derived from EM and Landscape Change data layers, for identifying the best spot in the field for hand probing or optionally installing a single moisture probe in the majority soil type.
Spatial water management.
The most important step when managing irrigation across variable soil types, topographies, seed densities and yield potentials is to implement a program that optimizes water site-specifically based on your soil’s water holding capacity and other varying field conditions.
Precision Variable Rate Irrigation prescriptions in the form of either VRI Speed Control or VRI Zone Control can be generated for any brand center pivot and even wirelessly uploaded directly to any number of AgSense or Valley VRI controls via the new VRI Optimization service provided through local CropMetrics Precision Partners.
Two variable rate center pivot equipment options for the highly reliable VRI Speed Control include the economical Valley TrackerLT and AgSense Field Commander. Both GPS-based remote management solutions work with most any brand electric drive center pivot and provide 60 sector VRI Speed Control with wireless prescription upload from Virtual Agronomist via cellular networks.
Other variable rate equipment options include any Valley Select2 control panel that is now capable of 180 sector VRI Speed Control and any Valley Pro2 control panel that is now capable of 180 sector VRI Speed Control as well as full VRI Zone Control.
The VRI Optimization service by CropMetrics has recently been awarded the agricultural irrigation industry’s premier award for best new product of 2011.
Nebraska Farmer magazine recently published an article on the cover of the March 2011 issue featuring the new CropMetrics precision VRI. See Irrigating in the Zone for the full story.
Potato Grower magazine recently published an article on the cover of the July 2011 “Smart Irrigation Month” issue featuring the new CropMetrics precision VRI. See Want a Slice? for the full story.
New for 2012.
For deficit or limited irrigation situations, your Virtual Agronomist acres also qualify for the optional Drought Readiness Program or DRP (patent pending). DRP uses specialized GIS software to numerically rank your top performing irrigation sectors within a given field. By predetermining the average yield potential within each of the 60 individual sectors, DRP can help you better plan your crop selections, variable rate seeding prescriptions, pre-plant watering schedules and real-time water allocations. In the event of low or no supplemental precipitation, DRP can also help prepare you to redirect your irrigation management strategy in-season to your highest yielding sectors based on the available GPM per acre of irrigation in combination with present soil moisture levels.
As an option, rapid processing then analysis of In-Season Imagery can be used to help real-time optimization of water, nitrogen and chemical applications through the center pivot.
As a final step, yield data collected after harvest as well as all historical yield data going back three years can be processed, normalized, and then analyzed using the new Advanced Data Analysis to help identify opportunities for improved input management and overall crop production.
As an added benefit, Virtual Agronomist provides unlimited access to all precision farming data right from home with all reports delivered at the growers convenience via the Web.
Virtual Agronomist can also help land owners quantify economic value and insure top dollar for premium acres whether renting or selling.
The future of precision is virtual.
To summarize, Virtual Agronomist delivers the following precision services in one complete and affordable package:
- Professional Data Processing
- Local Agronomy Support with GIS Consulting
- Variable Rate Seeding Prescriptions
- Variable Rate Fertilizer Prescriptions
- Unlimited Variable Rate Irrigation Prescriptions
- OptiProbe Optimal Probe Location Layer
- Irrigation Scheduling Service
- In-Season Imagery Service
- Drought Readiness Program
- Advanced Yield Data Analysis and Reporting
Real-time precision irrigation management with Custom VRI Prescriptions is designed to address variable field, climate and crop conditions all under the same pivot (see below).
To inquire about Virtual Agronomist, click here.
