Wireless underground soil monitoring solution Soil Scout has officially launched its full integration package with a US-based provider of autonomous aerial intelligence services GreenSight. The technology partnership gives turf and agronomical professionals a real-time understanding of how to create optimal above and below-ground conditions while increasing efficiency in water and nutrient usage.
“Our technology partnership has combined Soil Scout sensors with GreenSight’s TurfCloud platform, providing a cutting-edge machine vision analysis of the entire grounds captured by drone-mounted sensors. Now it’s possible to see everything in their soil – and be able to plan their day’s work – before setting foot outside. This is a major step forward in both smart farming and turf management sectors in the US for Soil Scout,” says Soil Scout CEO Jalmari Talola.
GreenSight’s drones have three high-resolution infrared-NDVI cameras and a radiometrically calibrated thermal camera; paired with an industry-leading flight time of 60 minutes. Combined with Soil Scout’s soil sensors that have solar-powered base stations and repeaters that have a 20-year in-ground battery life, we can provide users with a comprehensive, real-time understanding of their grounds through the GreenSight dashboard.
GreenSight CEO James Peverill commented, “We look forward to helping customers manage their soils more efficiently and improve their facilities across the world. We’re equally excited to be able to distribute their intuitive soil condition sensors to our growing customer base.”
Soil Scout has also expanded its US operations with an aim to accelerate its go-to-market efforts and combat the ongoing drought in California while adding feet on the ground in New England, Texas, and Arizona with the new hires of Kevin Hauschell, Dan Jennings, Zach Sevens, and Joe Lazzaro.
“I’m excited to join the team and bring this incredible technology to farmers, turf managers, vineyard managers, and orchard managers alike throughout the US. In drought years like we are experiencing currently in the Western US, making more informed decisions with regards to water is vital. If we don’t start monitoring and becoming more efficient in our water use in industries like golf, viticulture, and farming; we will see golf courses close, farmland sit barren, and wineries close their doors,” says Kevin Hauschel, West Coast Sales Lead for Greensight Ag / Soil Scout.
“Industries will have to justify their water use to ensure the sustainability of the golf, viticulture, and farming industries in California, so the time is now to use tools that conserve water, improve fertilizer timings, decrease fungicide and chemical use, and increase profitability,” continues Hauschell.
A report from the Drought Monitor shows 97.5% of California is in some stage of drought, with 87% of the state in severe drought and 52% in extreme drought. In addition, the past two years in California have been extremely dry and the state relies on ‘wet years’ to replenish its water supply.
“Plants are sucking water out of the soil to survive, and that dry soil needs to be irrigated more and more to keep them alive. Agriculture relies heavily on groundwater during droughts in California, but until recently, groundwater hasn’t been regulated so they haven’t had a chance to recharge. More sustainable groundwater management is needed to maintain these key drought reserves. Understanding when and how much to irrigate with smart solutions such as Soil Scout and GreenSight is critical if places like California are to sustainably improve their water usage,” says Adam Sedgwick, VP of International Sales at Soil Scout.
