Veris launches tillage and planter mounted soil sensors

The iScan+ by Veris Technologies optimises implement adjustments. It also warns against yield robbing mistakes with real-time insight into changing soil conditions, while providing high-resolution soil mapping for long term precision ag zones.

Infield adjustment features are underutilised

“Manufacturers are giving growers more options to adjust implements to improve equipment operation and crop performance,” said Eric Lund, president of Veris Technologies. “Without high quality soil information these infield adjustment features are underutilised and can be erroneous.”

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Performing a soil scan with the Veris iScan. The new iScan+ – not shown here – optimises implement adjustments. – Photo: Koos Groenewold

The iScan+ platform deploys 4 sensing modules adapted from Veris’ line of soil sensors:

• Moisture: Moisture affects seed germination, emergence, root-inhibiting compaction, and overall seedbed quality. The iScan+ gives growers immediate feedback as moisture changes across the field. With that information, planters and tillage tools have the information needed to optimise adjustments for varying moisture conditions.
• Temperature: Even when a planter drops seed into ideal moisture and a smooth seedbed, low soil temperature can cause damage during this crucial time. According to Veris, a key benefit of the iScan+ is its ability to inform planting decisions even before the planter hits a field by mounting to the seedbed preparation tool. When attached to a planter it has the flexibility to measure temperature and moisture above and below the current seed drop.
• CEC: Wet clay soil compacts differently than wet silt soil. That’s why Veris has combined the moisture sensor module with soil cation exchange capacity (CEC) readings. This fused data feed can help avoid stunted plants caused by sidewall and seedbed compaction. Veris soil CEC readings are gathered by measuring the electrical conductivity (EC) of the soil. Because the electrical current travels 2 feet into the rooting zone, these readings provide soil depth and water-holding capacity information that has significant implications on management decisions.
• Organic Matter (OM): Veris OM makes it possible to manage each yield environment accurately, whether creating variable rate seeding prescriptions, guiding fertility sampling or improving nitrogen management. The robust but small module that houses the Infrared and Red light sensors is designed to resist breakage and mud sticking to the optical window.

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A real-time display and Bluetooth connection provides growers in-cab visualisation. The data stream is adaptable to meet implement control needs and the output files are compatible with all farm software tools. – Photo: Hans Banus

In-cab visualisation

A real-time display and Bluetooth connection provides growers in-cab visualisation. The data stream is adaptable to meet implement control needs and the output files are compatible with all farm software tools.

According to Veris, with a simple install and small module components, this technology can be utilised on multiple implements. Additional flexibility is provided by the optional cart which can pull the iScan independent of a field operation. It can also be configured to map mid-season in growing crops.