ORLANDO, Fl. - At the 2019 Commodity Classic in Orlando, Veris Technologies introduced the world's first real-time sensor suite that measures four critical soil features while planting. The iScan+ optimizes implement adjustments and warns against yield robbing mistakes with real-time insight into changing soil conditions, all while providing high-resolution soil mapping for long term precision ag zones.
 
"Manufacturers are giving growers more options to adjust implements to improve equipment operation and crop performance," said Eric Lund, president of Veris Technologies. "Without high quality soil information these infield adjustment features are underutilized and can be erroneous."
The iScan+ platform deploys four unique sensing modules adapted from Veris' proven and patented line of soil sensors:
  • Moisture: Moisture affects seed germination, emergence, root-inhibiting compaction, and overall seedbed quality. The iScan+ gives growers immediate feedback as moisture changes across the field. By harnessing the gold standard of moisture measurements, the iScan's capacitance sensing technology guarantees planters and tillage tools have the information needed to optimize adjustments for varying moisture conditions.
  • Temperature: Even when a planter drops seed into ideal moisture and a smooth seedbed, low soil temperature can cause damage during this crucial time. A key benefit of the iScan+ is its ability to inform planting decisions even before the planter hits a field by mounting to the seedbed preparation tool. When attached to a planter it has the flexibility to measure temperature and moisture above and below the current seed drop.
  • CEC: It's easy to lose sight of the importance of the soil's physical structure when adjusting tillage tools. However, wet clay soil compacts differently than wet silt soil. That's why Veris has combined the moisture sensor module with soil cation exchange capacity (CEC) readings. This fused data feed can help avoid stunted plants caused by sidewall and seedbed compaction. Veris soil CEC readings are gathered by measuring the electrical conductivity (EC) of the soil. Because the electrical current travels two feet into the rooting zone, these readings provide soil depth and water-holding capacity information that has significant implications on management decisions.
  • Organic Matter (OM):Whether creating variable rate seeding prescriptions, guiding fertility sampling or improving nitrogen management, Veris OM readings give growers the power to manage each yield environment accurately. The robust but small module that houses the Infrared and Red light sensors is designed to resist breakage and mud sticking to the optical window.
A real-time display and Bluetooth connection provides growers in-cab visualization. The data stream is adaptable to meet implement control needs and the output files are compatible with all farm software tools. With a simple install and small module components, this technology can be utilized on multiple implements. Additional flexibility is provided by the optional cart which can pull the iScan independent of a field operation. It can even be configured to map mid-season in growing crops.