Precision Farming for Everyone

What does "site-specific" mean?

What often appears as a uniform crop on our fields can, during climate-related droughts, reveal that differences in water retention capacity within a field cause some plants to wilt. In other locations on the same field, the plants continue to grow unhindered. This drought stress and the resulting growth retardation lead to yield losses. However, water retention capacity is only one factor. Nutrient availability, root penetration, and heat absorption are several others. In agriculture, these small-scale differences are often given little attention. With the advent of digitalization in agriculture, the consideration of these site-specific characteristics becomes possible—precision farming.

Who benefits:

The advantages of the system are numerous. First and foremost, farmers save money through increased efficiency in fertilizer application, as the application rate is tailored to the crop's needs. This prevents additional fertilization in areas with sufficient nutrients, as the plants would then be unable to absorb it. Nitrogen not absorbed by the plants poses a problem for the environment, both as nitrate in groundwater and as nitrous oxide in the air. The amount of CO2 released during wheat production can be reduced through increased nitrogen efficiency.

Why isn't everyone using it:

Current systems consist of mapping services and devices that enable site-specific application. The mapping services are often not fully functional (due to payment models and trial periods). Furthermore, the functions themselves are often excessive and not intuitive. The equipment required for application is too expensive for the uncertain added value.

What makes TerraZo better:

TerraZo aims to break the ice in many ways. This free service, available throughout Austria, provides a map service with intuitive settings and explanations. The created application maps can be deployed without any investment costs using a free app. This is intended to appeal primarily to farmers who might not otherwise have engaged with this topic. The goal is to achieve a broad reach that is unlikely with paid services.