SOIL MOISTURE MANAGEMENT
Soil Profile Probe
600 - 800 mm
Installed along with a Data Logger. Automatically updates software every three hours. Probe readings are taken at 30-minute intervals.
Data Logger
2G & 3G
Uses a cellular connection to keep probe readings up-to-date. Solar and battery options are available. These loggers are also traceable via GPS.
Wireless RF
600 - 800 mm
Communicates via RF with a hand-held logger. This is an ideal solution for areas with poor cellular connectivity but requires manual downloading.
Software
Probeschedule
Probeschedule is web-based and accessible anywhere with internet access. The software displays probe and weather data, and it is used to calibrate the probe. Useful colour coding of soil moisture makes the software easy to understand.
How many probes do you need? Here are some guidelines:
Soil uniformity
Blocks/areas that have uniform soils need fewer probes per hectare than those with diverse soil types. Different soil types have various water-holding capacities, and their management will differ.
Crop
Different crop types, cultivars and age of crops have other water demands. Therefore, one probe to manage all the variables is not recommended.
Aspect & Slope
The aspect of orchids (direction of rows) affect water consumption. If there is a difference of aspect from one block to the next, more probes may be considered. Slope also affects water movement. We recommend that two probes be used on steep slopes, one to monitor the top and the other the bottom. This configuration prevents the top from running too dry and the bottom too wet.
Level of Management
High-value crops require a high management level. Your irrigation system determines the flexibility of control. Ultra-low-flow drip fertigation provides increased flexibility, enabling single blocks to be irrigated at a time. It is best to have moisture data from as many blocks as possible to make full use of the system’s flexibility. Pivots, on the other hand, provide less flexibility. It is unnecessary to have many probes in a system that can only irrigate at set cycle and standing times.
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Do I need to install the probes myself?No, in fact we have a dedicated technical support team that do the installations for you.
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What about technical support?We provide a wide range of tech support from servicing data logger solar panels, changing batteries and even re-installing the probe should you wish to move it. Whatever you may need, we will be able to service it. Phone our office to book a service. We can also provide you support over the phone.
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How long does it take from ordering to delivery?Once we receive your order, the factory ships your probes to us and we arrange the date to do the installation. We work on a turn-around time of two weeks.
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What is Agronomy E-support?"Our eye over your shoulder" - Agronomy E-support (Electronic support via the internet on the software) is a service available to the client per request. Typically, the client will ask to look at a specific block and to check the line settings to make sure everything is still in place. This is part of the ongoing finetuning process when using probes to monitor soil water. Agronomy E-support is a yearly subscription service. Please contact us for more info or if you would like to have this service.
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What are Probe Audits?This service is similar to the Agronomy Esupport but each profile is looked at once a month for seasonal and annual crops. A basic report is issued on each profile. The report will cover the integrity of the data, setting of lines if needed and a recommendation on corrective irrigation events for the buffer zone. Probe audits can be done per request or can be subscribed to for a season or year. Please contact us for more info or if you would like to have this service.
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How do physical farm visits work?This service entitles physical inspection of the probe site and represented block with a soil auger to check the moisture and then fine-tune the settings on the software. During this inspection the hardware will also be checked, solar panels cleaned and over-hanging branches cut. A written report is then issued. Most farmers use these reports for Global Gap audits. Physical farm vists may be requested at any time. Please contact us for more info or if you would like to have this service.
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