Data Collection Starts in the Soil: Veris Technologies

Summary

Eric Lun, President of Vars Technologies, introduces the company’s evolution from its 1997 launch to its latest innovations in soil mapping technology. Vars has pioneered advanced sensors for measuring soil electrical conductivity, organic matter, and pH levels, enabling precise farming practices. The Mobile Sensor Platform (MSP3) combines these sensors, offering farmers a powerful tool for optimizing fertilizer, seed, and irrigation applications. With a focus on precision agriculture, Vars Technologies provides cost-effective solutions for large-scale farmers, seed dealers, and fertilizer retailers, setting the standard for detailed, actionable soil data that improves productivity and reduces input waste.

Takeaways

• 😀 Vars Technologies started in 1997 and shipped its first product, the Vars 3100, that same year.
• 😀 The company initially focused on developing sensors for electrical conductivity in soil to help with nitrogen management and irrigation.
• 😀 One of the core sensors developed by Vars measures soil organic matter in real-time using red and infrared LED lights.
• 😀 The organic matter sensor is mounted under a planter row unit and uses a sapphire window to measure soil characteristics like color and texture.
• 😀 The pH manager sensor measures soil pH by scooping soil samples and using electrodes to assess acidity or alkalinity in the soil.
• 😀 The MSP3 (Mobile Sensor Platform 3) combines soil conductivity, organic matter, and pH sensors into one device for detailed soil analysis.
• 😀 The MSP3 is Vars Technologies' best-selling product and is used across the globe by various agricultural professionals.
• 😀 Key customers of the MSP3 include seed dealers, fertilizer retailers, and large-scale farmers looking for more precise variable rate application.
• 😀 The MSP3 is used for a wide range of agricultural applications such as variable rate seeding, fertilizer, lime, and irrigation management.
• 😀 Vars Technologies faces little direct competition in the precision agriculture space, with traditional methods like grid sampling being the primary alternative.
• 😀 The primary advantage of Vars' technology is its precision in mapping soil variations, making input application more efficient and tailored to specific soil needs.

Q & A

When was the first Vars product, the Vars 3100, shipped?

The first Vars product, the Vars 3100, was shipped in 1997.

What is the primary function of the first sensor developed by Vars?

The primary function of the first sensor developed by Vars was to measure soil electrical conductivity, which relates to soil texture, nitrogen management, watering capacity, and productivity.

What is the purpose of the Q 2800 model, and how is it designed?

The Q 2800 model is designed to map soil electrical conductivity and is specifically built to be pulled by ATVs and UTVs. It is named after the term 'quad bikes' used in Europe.

How does the Optic Mapper sensor measure organic matter in the soil?

The Optic Mapper uses red and infrared LED lights to measure the color of the soil, which corresponds to its organic matter content. The sensor is mounted under a planter-type row unit and measures organic matter as it moves through the soil.

What technology does the pH manager sensor use to measure soil pH?

The pH manager sensor measures soil pH by scooping up a soil sample, pressing pH electrodes into the core, and then cycling through the process repeatedly as it moves through the field.

What is the MSP3 and what technologies does it combine?

The MSP3 (Mobile Sensor Platform 3) is Vars' number one selling product, combining three sensing technologies: soil electrical conductivity, soil organic matter, and soil pH. It is widely used for precision farming.

Who are the primary customers for the MSP3?

The primary customers for the MSP3 are seed dealers, fertilizer dealers, large farmers, and those involved in variable rate applications for seed, fertilizer, lime, and other farming inputs.

What is the advantage of using the MSP3 compared to traditional grid sampling?

The advantage of using the MSP3 is its precision. It provides much more detailed and accurate soil mapping, compared to traditional grid sampling or USDA surveys, which use larger cell sizes and less detailed data.

What is the role of precision farming in terms of input management?

Precision farming allows farmers to apply inputs such as fertilizers and seeds more accurately and efficiently, targeting specific areas of the field that need them, which leads to cost savings and better productivity.

How can someone contact Vars Technologies to learn more about their products?

Anyone interested in learning more about Vars Technologies can visit their website at vars.com, where they can email or call for more information.