Rhynie to get into the heart of new technology

Donald Ross, winner of the AgriScot Scottish Arable Farm of the Year Award 2018, received his official farm sign from SoilEssentials’ Agronomy Manager Alison Easson at his farm last week. As sponsor of this award, the winner’s prize is a bespoke precision package from us, so the visit enabled a discussion on what this would include. With field boundaries now submitted for Rhynie Farm in Easter Ross, satellite imagery is now assigned, enabling for crop analysis and better informed decision-making, all accessible through our’ cloud platform KORE, Historic Potential Index (HPI) map on any fields he wishes – valuable if you are contemplating renting/buying new land – and as he is already the owner of a drone, Donald will also have the ability to upload his drone flight imagery captured through the growing season to view, monitor and manage his crops more effectively. In addition, we will also use our EssentialsAnalysis service with Donald’s yield data – multiple years of gathered information which is processed, analysed and reported back through KORE. Alison took the opportunity while there to give Donald an overview of KORE, delivered some first level training on the aspects that will be of interest and benefit to him, covering scouting, field grids, application maps and also introduced the mobile app that complements the system.

Donald said ‘I am excited to be on this new path with SoilEssentials and really looking forward to what the KORE platform allows me to do. I enjoy experimenting in farming, so this is an ideal opportunity to try something different.’

A fifth-generation farmer, Donald was commended by the judges for his understanding of his costs, his passion for collaboration and his zeal for soil health as well as his constant drive to improve his business. It had been many years since his last visit to AgriScot and he was amazed at the difference in both the event size and what it offered. ‘I had a very enjoyable day at the show, not only because I was a winner, but I was able to network and make many new contacts. Living and working in a remote area can, on occasions, feel like you are operating away from the beating heart and existing under the radar. I was both shocked and totally surprised when we won and this recognition means a lot to me and my family.’

Donald, as a member of the AHDB Black Isle Arable Business Group, was also successful with a second placing for wheat yield potential at the annual Yield Enhancement Network (YEN) conference last November.

We are continuing to roll out the KORE platform and holding introductory workshops – if you are interested call Alison Easson on 01356 650459 / 07787 292169.