The data was integrated with fertiliser application and other onfarm events, while soil-test data was graphically presented to help farmers make decisions for different paddocks.
Smart Maps offers viewing applications, allowing farmers to view what, where and at which volumes inputs, such as fertiliser, were applied.
“In the past a paper map would be sent out, detailing what had been applied on the farm and where and when,” Webley said.
Now that information, such as fertiliser application, seed sowing, weed spraying or effluent irrigation, could be put directly on the maps by Ravensdown or the farmer.
“It all comes down to proof of placement and being able to show where product has been applied,” Webley said.
Last November, soil test functionality and fertiliser plan applications were added to the Smart Maps service. Smart Maps will be updated again in August, this time extending the online order process, allowing farmers to detail exactly where they want the ordered product applied onfarm.
Order information will then be sent to the spreader operator so they will know straight away how much to apply and where.
“Then farmers will have that peace of mind that they know they’ve given the spreader as much detail as possible of what they want spread where,” Webley said.
For Smart Maps users having soil testing done through Analytical Research Laboratories (ARL), test results are automatically added to Smart Maps and displayed on their farm map.
“Over time, farmers can start to bring up that trend information and what’s happened for that period with certain paddocks.”
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Where farmers have recorded all farm inputs through Smart Maps, they can also access nutrient summaries – a breakdown of products applied to each area of the farm – for a chosen period on a particular paddock, block, or the whole farm.
Webley said this was especially useful for dairy farmers, who could use nutrient summaries to help with nutrient budgets and to see how their nitrogen applications were tracking.
Smart Maps was recognised internationally this year with an award from the Environment Systems Research Institute.
Canterbury dairy farmer Scott Lovelock said the system had created a great picture for his records.
“This is our second year of building this data so the performance picture of each paddock is getting clearer all the time,” he said.
Smart Maps also complements existing technology, so farmers can upload data using a range of tools and suppliers.
Lovelock monitors pastures every 10 days using his C-Dax pasture meter, which uploads measurement data back to Smart Maps. He also uses Ravensdown joint-venture spreading company Canterbury Spreading to order fertiliser and arrange for spreading online.
Joint-venture spreaders use proof-of-placement technology, monitoring where the spreading truck has driven, so farmers can check the nutrient status of each paddock.
“I go into Smart Maps, pull up what I want under the applications tab, tick a little box for the last application and it shows me a map of what was done last time so there are no doubleups,” Lovelock said.
“Smart Maps is helping us to make sure we keep improving grass performance to get us where we need to be.”
