Vari rate applications made easy with new app

Growers can now manage precision farming tasks direct from the tractor cab with the first variable rate application system to run on a tablet.

iSOYL, the pioneering new app from SOYL, will streamline the variable rate application process for iPad users, saving growers time, money and effort. It uses a smart cable and adaptor to connect with all popular spreader, sprayer and drill controllers, and a data transfer system allows information to be effortlessly and efficiently transferred between field and office.

Simon Parrington, SOYL’s commercial director, says, “We are always looking for ways to make precision crop production as simple as possible, and this is a really exciting development. It is the next generation of precision technology and will enable more growers to use variable rate techniques on their farms.”

SOYL has listened to its customers, and has responded to their feedback by ensuring that iSOYL is easy and intuitive to use. The clear, uncluttered layout makes it easy to find files, and the touch-screen interaction allows the user to quickly control and edit them. Tom Parker is business development manager with SOYL and he explains that iSOYL is much more practical to use than current systems. “When you mount the iPad in the tractor cab, you have a large, full colour display making everything really clear and much easier to use than having to peer at a small screen and fiddle with tiny buttons” he says. “That can make a real difference if you are amending your application files on the move or dropping markers to record a point of interest.”

Another key feature of iSOYL is that it can automatically write back your precision farming data from the field straight into your crop recording systems, eliminating the need to manually write and transfer notes, and reducing the amount of time spent on office admin. Tom says “By using iSOYL with our web-based information management system, MySOYL, you can sync data straight from your cab, into your records.”

One of the farm software systems that will be taking advantage of the new iSOYL platform is industry leading GateKeeper, which is developing a link to allow the as-applied records from iSOYL to be easily imported. Ben Hatton, national account manager for RBI which develops the GateKeeper software, says, “The ability to incorporate precision farming data alongside the day-to-day crop records in GateKeeper is vital to our users. Accessible and accurate data is key for decision support and business management. The link with iSOYL continues our business approach for integration with the industry’s leading providers of agronomic advice, services and machinery.”

iSOYL also allows users to add their own points of interest, such as weed populations or crop variation in their fields, by simply dropping a pin on the relevant area and recording a note.

iSOYL is compatible with iPad, iPad Mini and iPad Air. Tom goes on to explain that many growers are already using iPads, “That helps to keep the initial outlay to a minimum” he says. “Furthermore they will be used to the way that apps work, which will make iSOYL even easier for them to use.”

Using iSOYL will cost £495. The one-off price includes a licence for MySOYLsync and supply of the smart cable and adaptors. The app itself is free to download from the Apple App Store. To find out more visit www.isoyl.com.