In 2013 Ravensdown and the Ministry for Primary Industries embarked on a PGP programme known as Pioneering to Precision.

The project was undertaken with a view to improving the way fertiliser is used on hill country farms; firstly through remote sensing of the nutrient status of the farms via hyperspectral scanning or more informed soil testing, and secondly through precision application of fertiliser (IntelliSpread®). As the project draws to a close, we look at the ways the science and technology has impacted farmer shareholders, Ravensdown and the larger primary sector.

The four Rs

A view to applying the right nutrients in the right place, at the right time and at the right rate was the programme philosophy. Achieving this meant that fertiliser could be targeted to areas that gave the best returns productively and economically for the farmer. In addition, there was an environmental win. Areas where nutrients were not needed, such as waterways and bush, could be actively avoided.

How has Ravensdown achieved this?

1. Through remote sensing (AirScan) and soil testing (SoilScan)

AirScan is the service that will deliver precision variable rate nutrient plans through robust data-dense Olsen P maps of hill country farms. AirScan also uses remotely sensed hyperspectral data and imagery to categorise and quantify the farm landscape in greater detail, including accurately defining effective pasture areas, slope, aspect and soil characteristics to develop precise variable rate fertiliser applications.

A second option of informed farm soil testing coupled with the decision support software developed in the PGP known as SoilScan has also been developed. SoilScan will deliver precision variable rate nutrient plans through employing traditional soil testing with the incorporation of the PGP’s sophisticated decision-making software. While it does not provide the data rich Olsen P layer or the detailed farm landscape of AirScan, it does provide scalability as it is not restricted to a remote sensing window (hyperspectral scanning works best when pasture is actively growing), and provides options for farmers wishing to carry out precision variable rate nutrient plans at a lower investment. This service also quantifies the farm landscape in detail which is useful for increasingly precise variable rate fertiliser applications.

2. Through decision-making support software

‘Optimal fertility levels’ are achieved when the cost of fertiliser (product and application) equals the financial return from the additional pasture grown. For sheep and beef farms an econometric approach should be considered when deciding on fertiliser allocations between land management units due to differing margins.

Fertiliser is a large ticket item within farm working expenses, so it makes sense to optimise capital and maintenance fertiliser requirements further. To achieve this, Ravensdown developed a suite of analytical tools using Geographical Information Systems (GIS) to assess actual and potential pasture productivity arriving at a detailed spatial recommendation of optimal soil fertility targets tailored for each farm. The resulting fertiliser plan is then aggregated to sensible options regarding product and rates.

3. Through IntelliSpread variable rate technology

IntelliSpread was not directly funded by the Pioneering to Precision programme but is a key outcome developed by Ravensdown to enable the delivery of sophisticated AirScan or SoilScan variable rate nutrient plans through precise rate control. Precise rate control depends on factors including:
• the aircraft’s response to boundary rate changes
• aircraft GPS accuracy
• rate controller speed.
Rapid responses to boundary rate changes improve fertiliser placement accuracy and avoids off-target application near environmentally sensitive areas.

Massey University researchers conducting testing near Whanganui.

The PGP focus farmers

The Ravensdown shareholders who gave their time as research and focus farmers have been integral to the PGP programme. Focus farms were set up at the programme’s inception and farmer input has helped shape the final outcomes of the programme. For the shareholders, it was a chance to gain insights on their farming operations with the potential to increase the efficiency of their fertiliser spend with an actionable outcome.

These outcomes include:

• Accurate information on the true effective area of property, which can aid in management decisions such as stocking rate decisions.
• Identification of property areas that are unproductive or must be avoided (bush/waterways).
• Reduction in environmental impacts through the avoidance of sensitive areas.
• Productivity gains through better matching areas of farms to certain stock classes or grazing management.
• Economic optimisation – putting fertiliser where it is going to give the best return based on farm physical and economic data.
• Confidence to make decisions backed by data.

What has the PGP meant for Ravensdown?

Ravensdown has benefited from the PGP in many ways. From improvements in internal innovation and technology to offshoots for improved strategic nitrogen use, the PGP has had far-reaching positive impacts for Ravensdown and by proxy the co-operative’s farmer shareholders. This includes enabled people within the innovation and strategy, field and operations teams; higher education (which in turn benefits New Zealand precision agriculture); demonstration of more efficient use of fertiliser to the wider industry; added revenue streams, and improved technology, particularly regarding aerial spreading, spatial mapping (including HawkEye farm mapping) and the decision-support software built in the PGP. Working with MPI and other primary industry stakeholders has built confidence, credibility and strengthened industry relationships with Ravensdown.

The future

The commercialisation process is ongoing with final checks for AirScan, while SoilScan is on target for commercialisation in 2022. The final component has been the development of the IntelliSpread variable rate application system for aerial fertiliser which has been fitted into five of Ravensdown’s Aerowork Crescos.

Key Facts

Programme start October 2013
Length Eight years
PGP funding $5.6 million
Industry funding $5.9 million

Commercial partners:
Ravensdown, Massey University, AgResearch and Hyperceptions.

Estimated potential economic benefits to New Zealand:
The programme is expected to generate additional export earnings of $120 million per annum by 2032 and contribute a net economic benefit of $734 million to the New Zealand economy over the period 2022 to 2052.

Programme highlights

• Total area of fertiliser applied using IntelliSpread during this programme: 293,319ha.
• Ravensdown’s variable rate application is the most sophisticated in New Zealand by some margin.
• Fertiliser is now targeted to areas where it will get the best returns.
• Environmental benefits: Increased precision for avoiding sensitive areas including waterways and bush and not unintentionally overapplying fertiliser.
• Vast improvements to variable rate spreading technology (IntelliSpread).
• Automated systems have improved the pilot experience.
• Increased farmer connection and knowledge for Ravensdown staff providing advice to farmers using aerial precision fertiliser application.
• Higher learning: Three students have completed PhDs as part of the PGP (two students) and IntelliSpread research (one student).