Unlocking Precision Farming: How the right sensor for soil moisture optimises crop management.
Finding the right sensor for soil moisture can be tricky. There are many factors to consider including accuracy, affordability, ease of use, plus your personal needs. Discover the benefits of this precision farming tool, and how to pick the best one for your specific operation.
Harvesting the benefits of precision farming.
There has been a growing interest in precision farming, a method of crop management that relies on the use of technology to optimise farm operations. This approach involves using various tools to collect and analyse data, allowing growers to make informed decisions about the important factors that can affect crop yield.
One of the most important tools in a precision farming toolkit is the soil moisture sensor. In this article, we will explore the importance of precision farming tools, factors to consider before buying a soil moisture sensor, parameters to measure, and the importance of precision, accuracy, and output options.
Farming Smarter: Why Precision Farming Tools are Becoming Crucial
The agricultural landscape has undergone immense changes over the last 50 years. In the past few decades, the industry has experienced a technological revolution, with precision farming tools playing a significant role in this transformation. The invention and development of “agtech” tools allow farmers to collect data on soil moisture, temperature, nutrient levels, crop health, weather and various other parameters that lead to making better informed decisions about how to manage their crops.
The benefits of precision farming tools are numerous. For example, by collecting data on soil moisture levels, growers can optimise their irrigation systems, ensuring that crops receive the appropriate amount of water without wasting resources. By monitoring temperature and nutrient levels, farmers can adjust their fertilisation schedules, ensuring that crops receive the necessary nutrients to grow and thrive. Overall, precision farming tools help farmers to maximise crop yield and quality while minimising waste, saving time and money in the process.
What Factors Should You Consider Before Investing in a Sensor for Soil Moisture?
Choosing the right soil moisture sensor is crucial for any farmer who wants to optimise their crop management strategies. With so many options on the market, it can be challenging to determine which sensor is the right fit for your specific needs. The importance of choosing the right sensor lies in the accuracy and reliability of the data it provides. Soil moisture levels can vary widely within a single field, so it’s essential to choose a sensor that can provide precise data readings in real-time.
Ultimately, the right soil moisture sensor should help farmers make informed decisions about irrigation, fertilisation, and other critical factors, resulting in better crop yields, improved soil health, and eventually, increased profits. If you’re considering buying a soil moisture sensor, there are a few key factors to keep in mind:
1. Sensor Installation and Maintenance
The ease of installation is an important factor to consider when selecting soil moisture sensors because it can lead to significant time and cost savings. Soil moisture sensors are essential tools for monitoring and managing water use in agriculture, horticulture, and other soil-dependent industries. However, the installation of these sensors can be a challenging, expensive and time-consuming task, especially for those who are not familiar with the process. If the installation process is too complicated, it can result in delays and errors, which can be costly in terms of time and money.
When selecting soil moisture sensors, it is crucial to choose sensors that are easy to install and require minimal expertise. These can be installed quickly, reducing installation time and labor costs. In addition, easy-to-install sensors are less likely to require maintenance, which can also save time and money in the long run. Furthermore, sensors that are simple to install can be relocated or reused easily, providing greater flexibility and adaptability for different applications.
Overall, the ease of installation is an essential factor to consider when selecting soil moisture sensors. By choosing sensors that are easy to install, users can save time and reduce costs associated with installation and maintenance, while also benefiting from greater flexibility and adaptability for different applications.
2. Scope of Parameters
Before purchasing a soil moisture sensor, it’s important to identify the parameters you need to measure, and which the sensor does, in fact measure. In addition to soil moisture levels, you may also want to measure temperature, or humidity below the crop canopy, and other factors that can affect crop growth and yield. By collecting data on multiple parameters, you can gain a more comprehensive understanding of your field’s conditions and make more informed decisions for improved crop management.
Coupling soil moisture sensors with a data platform opens up a whole new level of data-driven farming. Soil moisture sensors provide real-time data on the moisture content of soil, which is critical for managing water use in agriculture and horticulture. However, this data is more valuable when it is analysed in conjunction with other relevant data, such as weather and satellite imagery.
By integrating soil moisture sensors with a data platform that provides satellite images and weather information, farmers and other users can get a more comprehensive view of the conditions affecting their crops. Satellite images can provide detailed information on crop health, vegetation indices, and other metrics that are crucial for optimising crop yields. Weather information can be used to predict rainfall and other weather patterns, allowing for more efficient and targeted irrigation.
In addition, a data platform can provide users with the ability to store and analyse historical data, allowing them to identify trends and patterns over time. This can help farmers make more informed decisions about planting and harvesting, and can also help them better understand the long-term effects of their irrigation and other water management practices.
Precision, Accuracy, and Output Options
When selecting a soil moisture sensor, precision, accuracy, and output options are crucial factors to consider. Precision refers to the degree of consistency and repeatability of the sensor’s measurements. A precise sensor will produce consistent results across multiple tests, while an imprecise sensor will, of course, produce inconsistent results. Accuracy refers to how closely the sensor’s measurements match the actual conditions in the field. An accurate sensor will produce measurements that are very close to the actual moisture levels in the soil, which helps growers to truly optimise their watering regimes.
Output options for soil moisture sensors refer to the way in which the sensor’s data is presented and stored. Real-time data is a popular option that allows farmers to monitor their fields continuously and make immediate decisions based on the data. Some sensors provide data that can be accessed remotely through a smartphone or computer, allowing farmers to stay up to date on their fields even when they’re traveling. This means constant “eyes in the field,” so you’ll never miss a thing.
Additionally, some sensors come with software that allows farmers to analyse the data and create reports that can help them make more informed decisions about their crop management strategies. The output options of a soil moisture sensor can have a significant impact on the usefulness of the data it provides, so it’s important to choose a sensor that offers the output options that best meet your needs.
Introducing the FS21:
Farm21’s proprietary affordable soil sensors give you the opportunity to deploy them scale for even more insights
Farm21’s Sensor for Soil Moisture Offers The Perfect Solution
Farm21’s sensor for soil moisture is the perfect solution for farmers who want to optimise their crop management strategies. One of the key benefits of this sensor is its ease of installation – it’s a plug and play device that can be installed in minutes without any technical expertise. (Watch the installation video here.) Once installed, the sensor provides real-time data on soil moisture levels, allowing farmers to make informed decisions about irrigation and other critical factors. The sensor is also incredibly durable and can withstand harsh weather conditions, ensuring that it will continue to provide accurate data for years to come. The battery is easily rechargeable with a USBC charger and can last up to 6 months.
In addition to its ease of installation and durability, Farm21’s sensor for soil moisture is also incredibly affordable. Compared to other soil moisture sensors on the market, this sensor is a cost-effective solution that provides accurate data readings at a fraction of the cost. This affordability makes it accessible to farmers of all sizes, whether they have a small family farm or a large commercial operation.
Accurate data readings are crucial for making informed decisions about crop management, and Farm21’s sensor for soil moisture delivers on this front. The sensor’s advanced technology ensures that it produces highly accurate data readings, allowing farmers to make informed decisions about irrigation and other critical factors. This accuracy is paired with an innovative farming data platform that provides farmers with real-time insights into their fields.
This platform allows farmers to monitor their fields remotely, analyse data, and make data-driven decisions that optimise crop yield and quality. Our solution has been developed by a team of hardware and software developers who work closely growers, crop advisors and farming co-ops to ensure that we solve real problems faced in the industry. By using Farm21’s sensor for soil moisture, farmers can take their precision farming strategies to the next level and achieve optimal results.
| Key Advantages | Farm21 | Competitors |
| Data collected from our proprietary low-cost sensors, scouting, satellite, weather, fields | ✅ | Single datasource |
| Configure your own alerts | ✅ | ❎ |
| Web and mobile app | ✅ | Need to install another app |
| Unlimited users for free | ✅ | Not possible to share data or pay extra |
| Free scouting app and satellite imagery | ✅ | ❎ |
| Easy to use interface | ✅ | ❎ |
| Phone, mail and chat support included | ✅ | Pay extra |
| API to integrate with your own platform | ✅ | Hardware focused |
More data. More insights. Better decisions.
Features
Three Reasons to Invest in Farm21’s Solution
Farm21’s solution is a comprehensive platform that offers a range of benefits for farmers and other users in the agriculture and horticulture industries. Here are the top three reasons to invest in Farm21’s solution:
Advanced Crop Monitoring
Farm21’s solution provides farmers with advanced crop monitoring tools that help optimise crop yields and reduce waste. The platform offers real-time data on soil moisture, temperature, and other critical metrics, allowing farmers to make informed decisions about irrigation, fertilisation, and other inputs. Additionally, the platform provides satellite imagery and weather information, giving users with a comprehensive view of the conditions affecting their crops. With this data, farmers can identify issues early and take action to optimise their crop yields. (Read more about how to go from reactive to proactive farming in our latest blog.)
Efficient Resource Management
Farm21’s solution enables efficient resource management, helping users save time and money. The platform offers real-time data that can be used to make decisions leading to less water wastage. Additionally, the platform provides predictive analytics, allowing users to anticipate future demand and optimise resource allocation. With these tools, users can streamline their operations and reduce costs, leading to greater profitability and sustainability.
Customisable and Scalable
Farm21’s solution is highly customisable and scalable, making it suitable for a range of users and applications. The platform offers a range data points, allowing users to tailor the solution to their specific needs. Additionally, the platform can be scaled up or down to meet changing demand, making it a flexible and adaptable solution for farmers and other users. With its customisable and scalable features, Farm21’s solution offers a future-proof solution for users in the agriculture and horticulture industries.
Who can benefit?
Crop advisors & Agronomists
Agriculture Researchers
Growers
Distributors & Co-ops
Developers
You? Get in touch!
In summary, Farm21’s solution offers a comprehensive set of tools and benefits for farmers and other users in the agriculture and horticulture industries.
From advanced crop monitoring to efficient resource management and customisable scalability, Farm21’s solution offers a future-proof and cost-effective solution for users looking to optimise their operations and increase profitability. Schedule a call with us to find out more.