New Tool Instantly Creates Soil Maps At Planting

By: Sonja Begemann

When seeds are planted beneath the soil they enter a new world—a world farmers have long tried to understand and perfect. What would you do if you had a window that showed what is going on beneath the ground?

This year, Precision Planting is beta testing their new product called SmartFirmer, which gives farmers a look into the mystery below the soil’s surface. The company expects commercial launch in late 2017. The cobalt exterior combines the traditional seed-packing role of a seed firmer with an optical sensor protected by a sapphire lens that scans what’s going on 2” below the soil surface.
An enhanced look below the soil will allow farmers to automate seeding rate and placement and manually adjust row cleaners to achieve the optimal seed environment. Read More