Getting the best from farm soils means making the most of expensive soil nutrients. Waste not only costs money, it pollutes the environment and adds to greenhouse gas emissions.

The Neill’s agronomist, Andy Hindhaugh, of local company McCreath, Simpson & Prentice, outlined the importance of getting the right soil pH and balancing nutrients like phosphate and potash. In support SAC’s consultants showed visitors how to use the free, Scottish Government Scottish Government PLANET nutrient management programme.

But many of those attending the event came to learn more about was “precision farming”, using the latest technology to apply to the crop only what it needs.

Aidan Monaghan from SOYL outlined the basic principals of using GPS to create the basic field mapsto which management details like soil analysis or crop yields can be added. Over time the information can automatically “tell” machinery where to spread fertilisers or spray pesticides.

Soilessentials is a 12 man group started with Jim Wilson (left) Yield Mapping using an LH Agro 565 (Ag Leader AL2000) supplied by LH Agro and an Ash Tech Ag Navigator supplied by Farmworks. He fitted it to a John Deere 1085 and managed to get communication between the two and made some of the early yield maps.

From 1997 to 1999 soil sampling was first added, subsequently VRT Lime Start and a built potato harvester sensor, with 1999 seeing N Sensor testing and variable rate planting pots.

The Scottish Government has set tough greenhouse gas emission reduction targets for Scotland to meet, including agriculture. Through  Farming for a Better Climate Initiative and its Climate Change Focus Farms, like Upper Nisbet, local farmers are developing ways of cutting greenhouse gasses that cuts costs and maximises farm business efficiency.