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How to analyze the effects of variable-rate application
How to analyze the effects of variable-rate application
Valeriya avatar
Written by Valeriya
Updated over a week ago

How to upload a yield map

When the crop is harvested, we can analyze how different rates affected yields in each management zone.

To do this, upload the yield map to the platform by clicking the 'Upload data' button in the side menu or the field card header. You can upload yield data directly from the combine or as an already converted shapefile.

💡 If you use the John Deere Operations Center, see how to import the yield map in three clicks.

Match file attributes with OneSoil system attributes. It's important that you match these three attributes: yield data, units of measurement, and the time when the yield point was recorded.

  • The 'Yield' parameter represents yield data. We recommend using an attribute that indicates a wet crop, as the grain moisture sensor often shows incorrect readings and can affect the analysis results.

  • After that, select the units of measurement you use for yield. We work with the metric, imperial, and hybrid measurement systems.

  • The 'Timestamp' parameter represents the time at which the yield point is recorded. It's needed to determine the machinery's direction. It usually corresponds to the 'timestamp' attribute. If there's no such name in the list, select any other attribute that indicates the sequence of points (i.e., 'id').

When uncalibrated or poorly calibrated harvesting data is uploaded, we'll run a calibration on our side. In the map visualization phase, you'll see the already calibrated data.

Here's how it works:

Image 1 shows the uncalibrated data in the file.

Image 2 shows the same uncalibrated data with smoothing.

Image 3 shows calibrated data with smoothing. That's how you'll see it in OneSoil PRO.

Image 4 shows the calibrated data without smoothing.

Once the file is uploaded, you can view it in the 'Yield analysis' tab. This is where we display yield maps for those fields for which you previously created VRA maps. If you uploaded a yield map for a field for which you haven't created a VRA map, you can find it in the 'Data' tab.

The app will generate a report showing how much was harvested in each zone using different rates. With this information in hand, you'll be able to determine the best rates for each zone.


How to analyze yield for fields without trials

Here's what you'll see in the yield report:

  • Average yield and yield in different zones

  • A chart depicting yield by productivity zone

  • The option to compare the yield map with the VRA map and productivity map.


How to analyze trial results

In the trial results with two control strips, we usually observe 3 scenarios:

  1. An increase in yield. Yields increase in the high productivity/NDVI zone with an increase in application rate or in the low productivity zone with a decrease in application rate.

  2. The yield for all three rates is the same, which means that the rate can be reduced, thus saving money.

  3. The yield in all zones increases when increasing the application rate. It means that the average rate was underestimated.

Let's take a look at an example

The Farm’s standard seeding rate for a field was 70,000 seeds/ha. The agronomist decided to plant 78,000 seeds/ha in the high-productivity zone and 62,000 seeds/ha in the low-productivity zone.

Let’s look at the Yield report with VRA results. First of all, let's compare the yield map and productivity zones. We see that the OneSoil’s productivity zones correspond with the yield map.

Now, let's compare the yield and VRA maps. To estimate the average yield that we would have received with uniform application, we look at the yield results in the control strips where the standard and medium rates were used. In our case, that's 5.44 t/ha. The average yield when using variable-rate application increased to 5.86 t/ha. That's a great result! Yes, we've used more seeds, but the profit made from increased yield will compensate for that.

Now, let's look at the charts on the bottom part of the report.

The low-productivity zone had the biggest yield with a seeding rate of 62,000 seeds/ha. We can conclude that the low rate worked best. Decreasing the seeding rate led to increased yield. Planting 70,000 seeds/ha in this area doesn't make sense. We even lost yield.

In the high-productivity zone, the situation is quite the opposite. By increasing the seeding rate, we managed to achieve a higher yield. In this case, the planting costs were worth it.

Trial data (rates, control strips, yield map) will always be stored on the platform for each season and each field. This information can be used for reports.

💡 Download yield reports in .pdf or .csv formats to analyze data across multiple fields or your entire farm, or share the report with colleagues or clients.

💡 Need to export data for the whole farm? Select the ‘Export yield reports’ option in the Profile settings — and download all reports in one .csv in a flash.


How to visualize protein and starch data from John Deere HarvestLab™ 3000 sensor

John Deere introduced the HarvestLab™ 3000 sensor that measures the level of protein and starch in crops during harvesting. Users who use it are able to see information about protein and starch levels in the field in the yield report: the value and visualization of the protein and starch maps, and how the VRA has impacted the protein/starch level.

Just upload or import from John Deere Operations Center a harvesting map with relevant data and check out the result! The maps will be visualized as separate layers.


What's next?

We'd appreciate any feedback you have about the app and trial results. Please tell us about your experiences with the platform, what features were lacking, and what was challenging to you. You can also share with us how much you were able to save and earn! Contact us at care@onesoil.ai or via the in-app chat with support.

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