Description
What if corn growers could reduce nitrogen applications while maintaining yields — or even pushing them higher? That's the potential Ken Schaus is exploring as he puts autonomous nitrogen application robots to work on his farm in Bruce County, Ont.
In this episode of Profitable Practices, RealAgriculture's Bernard Tobin visits Schaus Land and Cattle Company to see how Schaus is testing two Upside Robotics Gen 5 robots to deliver nitrogen throughout the growing season and evaluate the technology's potential to improve nitrogen efficiency, profitability and sustainability.
Schaus operates a 4,000-acre family farming and cattle operation in Bruce and Grey counties. With manure and compost supplying a significant portion of the farm's fertility needs, understanding how much nitrogen is available to the corn crop — and when — is a major management challenge. After seed, he says nitrogen is the second-costliest input for his corn crop.
The first-year trial covers 85 acres, with 65 acres managed using the robots and 20 acres receiving the farm's conventional fertility program. Both treatments follow a rotation that included winter wheat, cover crops and compost applications.
The autonomous robots operate throughout the growing season, travelling between corn rows to deliver nutrients. A central base station stores nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium and micronutrients. The robots return automatically to refill and recharge before heading back into the field.
Unlike conventional sidedressing, which delivers a larger nitrogen application at one time, the robots can supply nutrients in smaller amounts throughout the growing season, including later stages of corn development.
Schaus says he's been impressed with the technology. He's observed strong root development, healthy canopies and vigorous late-season growth in the robot-managed corn. While some plants in the conventional treatment have shown signs of nitrogen deficiency, he hasn't observed the same symptoms in the robot-managed acres.
The technology has also required relatively little attention from farm staff, with Schaus reporting few operational interruptions beyond keeping nutrient tanks filled.
But the real test will come at harvest.
Schaus hopes the technology can significantly reduce purchased nitrogen requirements while maintaining yield. He also sees potential to increase production by 15 to 20 bushels per acre in areas where improved nutrient timing could make a difference.
The farm plans to compare harvested yields and conduct starch testing, an important consideration because much of its corn is used in cattle rations.
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