SmartProbe lets farmers use smartphones to tackle soil compaction
US-based Terraform Tillage has introduced SmartProbe, a system that enables farmers to connect their smartphones to almost any brand of soil compaction tester (penetrometer). This innovation allows for precise soil compaction data collection, facilitating targeted solutions and minimising unnecessary tillage.
This fall, U.S. farmers will experience the first season of using the new system.. “The bulk of our current customers have to wait until after harvest to begin using the tool”, says founder Josh Jeske of Terraform Tillage and developer of the SmartProbe System.
Jeske was inspired to develop the tool after seeing the effects of over-tilling on his family farm. “I wanted to find the areas of our fields with yield limiting compaction and highlight the areas that wouldn’t see a benefit from subsoiling. I quickly found that there wasn’t a great system to collect and map soil compaction measurements, which led me to build the first version of the SmartProbe System.”
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Severity of compaction
With SmartProbe, farmers can collect and map the total area of land suffering from compaction, the severity of the compaction, and also the depth of the compaction. By identifying compacted zones, farmers can decide where to focus their tillage efforts or where to implement soil health practices like cover cropping. This helps reduce unnecessary tillage, preserving soil structure and reducing costs, Jeske points out.
Managing soil compaction is crucial for farmers because it directly impacts soil health, crop productivity, and long-term sustainability, Jeske emphasises. “By managing soil compaction, farmers can improve plant growth, increase yields, and enhance water retention. In the long run, it promotes healthier soils and more sustainable farming practices, ultimately leading to greater profitability and environmental stewardship.”
The SmartProbe App is compatible with both Apple and Android devices. For this year, it is available for free, but Terraform Tillage plans to implement a subscription model in 2025, with an annual fee of around US $150. The SmartProbe Kits are priced at US $72. Penetrometers, which can be purchased online, generally range from US $200 to US $500. Currently, SmartProbe is also offered as a service in Iowa.
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