Fertility Analysis: Soil Fertility

Soil Fertility Analysis recommendation will build a fertilizing prescription based on soil data in conjunction with equation sets. Valid soil data stored in a Field Sample layer under the field is required to produce this type of recommendation. This analysis type can also use other optional inputs, such as removal using measured yield or yield potential, event credits, zone input and other factors.

Example Saved Rx Generation Video

Setting Up Soil Fertility Analysis

  1. From the Fertility tab, expand the profile tree down to any Farm  level.
  2. Select any needed fields that contain Soil Sample layers by selecting their corresponding check boxes [1].
    Please Note: Fields with both yield and soil samples display a check box with no coloration. Fields with only Soil Sample data will display brown coloration in Fertility, whereas fields with only yield/yield potential data display in green. For fields devoid of soil sample layers, consider Flat Rate analysis. See help topic: Flat Rate Analysis. By default the most recent field sample is used for the analysis, however fields can be expanded to select an alternative sample layer if desired.
  3. Select desired equation from the "Equ Set" drop-down menu [2], or select a custom equation by clicking the Select link text [3], then navigating to the desired custom equation and selecting it.
  4. Select desired crop [4]. Please Note: Entries in the Fertility "Crop:" drop down list are populated by the Administrative tool: "Fertility Admin". Entries that display in black, are selectable with the current equation selected. Crops within the crop drop down list that display in gray, are crops that are enabled within Fertility Admin- but are not available for the current equation set selected.
  5. Select desired element [5], then click "Add Element" button [6].
  6. If desired, repeat step #5 for each desired element.

Removal Functions Explained

Adding Removal to a Soil Fertility Analysis will increase the Fertilizer recommendation based on what may have been removed from the soil by a previous harvest. Adding Removal to a Fertility setup is completely optional.
Please Note: Removal can be performed in the absence of soil data by selecting Removal as the Analysis type. This simple analysis type will not use soil equations or credits and in general has fewer options, but will behave the same as removal as part of Soil Fertility.

  1. Expand Removal Functions with the black triangle [7].
  2. Select "Add Removal Source" to open the Add Removal Source window.
  3. If desired select "Add Flat Crop Removal" then select a crop and removal value [9]. 
  4. Another option is to select "Add Crop Removal from Yield" [10] then select desired yield year [12].
  5. The third removal option is "Add Crop Removal from Yield Potential"
    Please Note: The values for removal is crop dependent and corresponds with the Removal chart within the Location Preferences tool. The "Only on areas requiring fert rec" option [11], when checked, will not apply removal to areas with a final equation output of zero. When this option is un-checked removal will still be applied even to those areas where the equation output may not result in product output due to min/switch/multiplier/subtract settings.

Event Credit Options Explained

Credits count against the VRA currently being calculated, due to a previous application. Flat Rate and Saved Rxes can be selected for credit. Adding Event Credits is completely optional.

Configuring Flat Rate Credits

  1. Expand Event Credits with the black triangle [15] in the Event Credits section in the right pane.
  2. Select "Add Credit Source" [16].
  3. Select Flat Rate radio button [17].
  4. Select the Product [18].
    Please Note: Products are derived from the Product Management list.
  5. Input the Rate [19] and the Date [20] of the previous application, then click "OK" [21].

Configuring Saved Rx Credits

  1. Expand Event Credits with the black triangle [15] in the Event Credits section in the right pane.
  2. Select "Add Credit Source" [16].
  3. Select Saved Rx radio button [17].
  4. Select a previously generated Saved Rx from the drop-down [22].
  5. Click "OK" [23].

Deleting Credits 

Please Note: Configured credits will list within Event Credits section. Multiple credits, of the same or differing types may be added to a Fertility scenario at once. To delete any credits from the Fertility Analysis, click the corresponding X icon.

Global Variables Explained

Global Variables are defined by the selected equation. Global Variables always require an input, so fill out all inputs that list under the Global Variables section header. See image for
Please Note: As these variables are defined by the selected equation set, these inputs can change considerably and the provided example may not accurately represent all inputs present.

Elemental Inputs Explained

Below is full run-down of all the available inputs for each element selected. These will display when the element is added with the "Add Element" button. There then will be an elemental selection tile in the right pane. This tile may vary slightly depending on the equation used. These can vary based on the possible Input Variables found in the selected equation. Some may have many, other may have no additional input variables. An example is given below.

    Product: The Product drop-down menu determines which fertilizer product should be used for the element.  Products are added to these lists via the Product Management tool. 
    Please Note: The default product selected  for each element, as well as Max Rate, Min Rate, and          Switch Rate defaults on a per-product basis and App Cost can be set within the Fertility tab of the Location Pref Tool. Product price defaults can set in the Product Management Tool. The value of any of these inputs can be modified regardless of whether defaults are present or not.
    Max Rate: Setting a max rate causes the Fertility request to set any calculated output that would have exceeded the max rate to the max rate instead.
    Min Rate: Setting a min rate causes the Fertility request to set any calculated output that would have been lower than the min rate to be 0 instead.
    Switch Rate: Setting a switch rate tells the system how to handle calculated values that would have landed between the minimum rate and 0.  For example, if the minimum rate is 80 lbs per acre, and the switch rate is 60, then everything calculated that is larger than 60 and less than 80 will be set to the minimum rate, and everything smaller than 60 will be set to 0. To enforce minimum rate as the absolute minimum (eliminating all 0 application areas) for the entire field, set the switch rate to 0, leaving the switch rate blank will set every area with a calculated output lower than the min rate to 0
    Rec Multiplier: Inputting a rec multiplier causes the initial elemental recommendation calculated from the formula to be multiplied by whatever value is in the Rec Multiplier input field. Inputting a decimal value can cause the recommendation to become divided as well. For example, inserting a Rec Multiplier of 2, will cause the recommendation to be doubled, whereas inputting a Rec Multiplier of .5 will cause the recommendation to be cut in half.
    Rec Subtract: Inputting a value into the Rec Subtract input field causes that amount of raw element to be deducted from the recommendation. Please Note: A negative number can also be input here to cause a raw elemental value to be added to the recommendation
    Rate Multiplier: Inputting a Rate Multiplier causes the Fertilizer Product rate to be multiplied by whatever value is in the Rate Multiplier input field. Inputting a decimal value can cause the Rate to become divided as well. For example, inserting a Rate Multiplier of 2, will cause the output to be doubled, whereas inputting a Rate Multiplier of .5 will cause the output to be cut in half.
    Rate Subtract: Inputting a value into the Rate Subtract input field causes that amount of Fertilizer Product to be deducted from the end rate calculation. Please Note: A negative number can also be input here to cause a Product Rate value to be added to the recommendation.
    Price: Price will be included on the recommendation PDF if it is input in this input area.
    App Cost: This cost refers to the cost of applying the recommendation to the field and is listed on the corresponding recommendation PDF.    

Generating a Prescription

All remaining settings are optional. See sections below for functionality explanations and select desired options. Select " Submit Rx" [24] when finished, an example output is below.
Please Note: The Rx is not saved to the profile tree until Save Rec is selected from the black Prescriptions box.

Report Options

  • Point Overlay: Point overlay refers to the overlaid values displayed within the Map portion of the Fertility Analysis PDF, as well as the Fertility Map screen. 
    Please Note: Point Overlay will only display if the fertility scenario is being run against a Field Sampling layer. Clicking on any of the field sample points of the overlay (as shown above) will display the relevant inputs that went into the creation of the Rx point value.
  • Interpolation Method: This drop-down menu determines the calculation method used to interpolate field data.
    • 1/r4 and 1/r6 methods assume that the soil sample point data is true, and performs minimal calculation between the points, without altering the point values.
    • Kriging and Kriging LPSR methods assume that the point values may not be completely accurate and calculates heavily across the field.
    • Grid method is specifically designed to optimize aerial application methods.
  • More Options: (Show/Hide): The default view has these options hidden, selecting the blue text displays additional options
    • Flat Rate Comparison: This option reveals extra area input options. Once an area is selected, this option creates a section on the Fertility Analysis PDF report that will display what the totals would have been had they been run at a flat rate instead of a variable rate.
    • Email Results: This option will email results rather than generating the output "Live" and can be useful for very complex recommendations that take a considerable time to generate.
    • Add Note to Report Header: This option once clicked, reveals a Note input line. Inputs submitted within the Note input line appear at the top of the Fertility Analysis PDF, appearing after the Grower> Farm and Field information.
    • Use Zone Input: Upon clicking "Submit Rx" [24] when "Use Zone Input" is checked, the system will open the Zone Input Tool set up window. Use the drop-down menu to select the management zone layer needed, and the Use Zone Tool window will update with the details of the zone selected. Use the "Equ Var" drop-down menus to select the equation variable that the data column values represent. Click "Submit" on the Zone Details window when finished. For more help with Use Zone Input option, see help section Using Management Zones to Add Multiple Yield Goals
    • Create Blend: This option creates a Blend table on the resulting Fertilizer Application Summary page, that details the weight of nutrient from each product.
    • Exclude Cost On Report: This option is very straightforward in causing internal costs to be excluded from the Fertility Analysis report.
    • Disable Zone Smoothing: The FieldAlytics system performs an interpolation betwee zone areas to mitigate harsh stops and starts within the controller. Selecting the Disable Zone Smoothing option turns this interpolation off.
    • Disable Interpolation Across Polygons: The FieldAlytics web system will perform data interpolation across boundary polygon lines if the sampled point was close enough to another point to be considered. Selecting Disable Interpolation Across Polygons, turns this cross polygon interpolation off.
    • Utilize Controller for Output: This option, when selected causes the fertility VRA projection and resulting reports to display in a manner that is closer to the limitations of what a controller can spread.
    • Define Report Note: Clicking this text link opens a "Define Note" input window. Notes entered into the Define Note input window will appear in a "Notes" section on the last page of the Fertility Analysis PDF.
  • One Field Per Report: This option limits the report to one field per application report, and also creates separate application files per field.
  • Save As Template: Clicking this option opens a "Fertility Template" naming window. Input a name for the template and click "Save". Fertility templates will save all Fertility Analysis scenario details except for the fields selected, and certain report options.
  • Load Template: Clicking this option opens "Select Template" selection window. Use the drop-down menu to select template desired, then click Load Template

Click " Submit Rx" button. [24] Recommendation will process, and then will display on map. Additional functions display in black "Prescriptions" box. See subsection "Prescriptions Box Options Explained" in help topic: Fertility Overview - Options and Functionality

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