Seeing the need to for more flexibility to map soils, Eric Lund, president of Veris Technologies discusses the features of the new iScan system that mounts to the row unit of a tillage implement or planter. The front coulter and the rear closing disc contain 2 electrodes that inject electrical current and then 2 chromium carbide points detect the electrical array after it’s gone down in the soil about 2 feet. An optical sensor also shines red and infrared light 2 inches deep to measure soil optical properties which relate to organic matter.

Precision Planting Product Manager Dale Koch discusses the new SmartFirmer, an optical senor imbedded in a Keeton Seed Firmer that scans the soil as it goes through the field. The system tracks and provides feedback on organic matter, soil moisture and residue in the furrow.

Loading reduction targets for phosphorus — particularly those aimed at reducing losses of dissolved phosphate — may not be met through soil health alone, and definitely require attention to nutrient application placement and timing as well, says the International Plant Nutrition Institute.