Better Berries, Juicier Profits
CropSense Soil Moisture Monitoring provides farmers valuable data to accurately monitor irrigation patterns, produce heartier fruit
Science and technology are playing more prominent roles in the farming industry, and as a result farmers now have invaluable data at their fingertips that allows them to determine optimum irrigation patterns. By supplying their plants with the precise amount of water every day, farmers are able to cultivate a bumper crop of juicier, more robust fruits. They are also netting higher profits for their produce.
CropSense Technologies by T-Systems is paving new inroads along farming’s information highway with its innovative Real Time, In-Depth Field Intelligence ® and CropSense Soil Moisture Management ® programs. CropSense Soil Moisture Management is a fertility-cased program that offers a more efficient use of water and nutrients to enhance crop growth – an ultimately, produce greater yields today and in the future.
Porter Hare, owner of Berry Patches Inc., in Dover, Fla., has been participating in a three-year irrigation study using CropSense Soil Moisture Management. By enhancing Hare’s expertise with real-time, in-depth intelligence on soil moisture levels, he is able to make the most out of every crop.
In each of the years he has participated in the study, Hare has reaped a more abundant and profitable crop than the previous year.
He can use the information to precisely control soil moisture, the results of which have been paying big dividends for Hare. This year he enjoyed a record strawberry harvest, producing plumper, juicier, and more flavorful strawberries. As a result, Hare has seen an increase in the price he’s commanding for his coveted strawberries.
Obtaining Valuable Data
Keith Patterson, a T-Systems International field representative, administered the installation of the equipment Hare uses in his fields for production. Patterson met with Hare at the beginning of the study to provide Hare with the necessary training, and to determine where in Hare’s strawberry fields to install special Soil Moisture Sensor Probes.
Patterson and Hare inserted a pair of probes into the strawberry fields, each equipped with four seasons at depths of 4, 8, 12, and 20 inches. The sensor probes provide Hare with valuable moisture data at these various soil levels, allowing him to maintain a consistent and effective irrigation pattern.
The data from the sensor probes is compiled and stored electronically, and is transmitted to a server in California. Every morning, Hare checks the soil moisture readings via his personal computer and the CropSense data logger at www.cropsense.com. The web-based information center allows him to view the customizable information about his fields in highly detailed graphs.
The summary sensor data that Hare receives daily shows saturation and the onset of stress points in his crops. Using a Summed Graph (the collected data fro the soil moisture sensors of each depth is represented as a single like), Hare can see how to set “fill” and “refill” zones. This information is used to determine when and how often he irrigates.
A Separate Level Graph displays soil moisture measurements at several depths through the root zone. Hare uses the information from the graph to determine exact irrigation flow to adequately fill the root zone, without pushing water and nutrients out of the targeted area.
Hare compares the CropSense Soil Moisture Monitoring data with information he receives via the Florida Automated Weather Network (FAWN), a web-based weather source where he can access the evapo-transpiration count for Dover, Fla., on a given day. The evapo-transpiration count is crucial information for Hare. The count shows him how much moisture has been lost in Dover on a given day, and helps him to calculate how much water is required to replenish his fields.
After reviewing the data provided by CropSense and FAWN, Hare uses – on the advice of brother Mike – a mathematical equation from the University of Florida to calculate more precisely the amount of moisture that has evaporated from his fields. By knowing the amount of evaporated ware, Hare can accurately irrigate his strawberries, keeping moisture levels at a rate consistent with the onset of stress levels of the plants.
“The soil moisture content is relevant for irrigation timing so that farmers do not over or under water,” Patterson said. “If you really want to effectively manage your crops, you have to know how to properly water them. Seventy percent of farmers over-water their crops.”
Making Better Management Decisions
Using CropSense, Hare can manage extreme situations with regard to soil wetness, drought conditions, and monitor overall plant health during these situations to make better management decisions. Hare can ultimately decide his irrigation and fertilization practices. The results are a healthier crop and a better crop yield.
Armed with his daily comparative analysis, Hare knows that the irrigation decisions he makes are in step with the needs of his strawberries. By participating in the study, Hare had gleaned the knowledge of how to properly irrigate his strawberries each day. He eliminates over- and under-watering of his crops, and is assured of optimal soil moisture for a balanced irrigation program.
“Strawberries are not aquatic,” Hare said. “If they get too much water, the water goes directly to the fruit, which causes it to break down quicker and gives the fruit a watery taste. If I am able to put the right amount of stress on the plant through irrigation, it will produce better quality fruit, and I will get a far greater price for them as I did this year.”
Monitoring Equipment Reliability
Hare has been using T-Tape Drip Irrigation Tape by T-Systems for 18 years, and estimates that he uses 43 gallons of water per minute per acre from the deep-water wells he uses to irrigate his 65 acres of berries. With this type of drain on his water supply, Hare needs a comprehensive system that works – and helps him to monitor the reliability of his equipment.
CropSense gives Hare this competitive advantage over other strawberry farmers in his region. By keeping a close watch on his equipment, he has been able to make strides in nutrient management packaging. Hare now can pinpoint exact water conditions and patterns so that he can accurately replenish the soil.
“This system is a good one, and has been a very effective tool for me to use,” Hare said. “It’s no coincidence that I had a record year for strawberry production this year. CropSense is a big reason for the success we had.”
