Enhancing Farm Productivity with RHIZA’s Digital Tools

As the trusted digital agronomy provider, RHIZA works closely with Agrii and our network of pioneering farms to explore and implement innovative solutions that deliver measurable value for growers.

Revesby Estate in Lincolnshire, one Digital Technology Farm site.

Driving Innovation in Agriculture

Agriculture is entering a transformative era where sensors, satellites, drones, and AI are becoming integral to farm management. At RHIZA, we specialize in harnessing these technologies to deliver real-world benefits, from improving resource efficiency to supporting sustainable practices. Our goal is to ensure these tools work seamlessly together, empowering farmers to make smarter, data-driven decisions.

The Digital Technology Farm (DTF) Network

Our collaboration with Agrii on the Digital Technology Farm (DTF) network is an exciting step forward in digital agronomy. This initiative explores how innovative tools can be integrated into everyday farming, ensuring they are accessible, effective, and reliable. By testing these technologies under real-world conditions, we aim to provide growers with solutions that enhance productivity, profitability, and sustainability.

The Role of RHIZA

As the digital expertise behind the DTF network, RHIZA brings state-of-the-art tools and technologies directly to the farmgate. We empower growers with actionable insights and support, ensuring they get the most out of their investments. Our digital agronomy platform, Contour, forms the backbone of these efforts, integrating satellite imagery, weather data, and soil mapping to deliver a complete picture of crop performance.

What We’re Testing

The DTF network allows us to assess a range of cutting-edge technologies in real farming environments. These include:

Precision Nitrogen Management:

• PlentySense N Blades measure soil nitrate levels at multiple depths, providing real-time data on crop nitrogen availability. This enables more precise fertilization timing and better nitrogen use efficiency (NUE).

Drone-Based Insights:

• • The Skippy Scout system offers automated drone flights that monitor crop growth stages, variability, and pest/disease pressures. These insights enhance precision in nutrient application and integrated pest management (IPM).

Environmental Monitoring:

• • FieldMate sensors from Apps-for-Agri track in-field conditions like air/soil temperature, rainfall, and humidity. These data points, combined with disease risk models in the SmartFarm app, optimize fungicide use and timing.
  • SoilTech sensors further enhance decision-making by monitoring soil moisture and temperature.

Biodiversity Tools:

• • Bio-acoustic sensors monitor pollinator and bird activity, while automated coddling moth traps support targeted pest management in orchards.

Through this program, we’re refining these tools to ensure they integrate seamlessly into farm workflows, providing value without adding complexity.

Digital Agronomy in Action

Our DTF sites represent a variety of crops, regions, and management styles to deliver insights that are relevant to every type of farm:

• Revesby Estate, Lincolnshire: Winter wheat under near zero-tillage practices.
• Brotherton Farms, Scotland: A mix of winter oilseed rape (OSR) and spring barley managed with traditional cultivation.
• Throws Farm, Essex: As a LEAF Innovation Centre, this site combines environmental focus with trials on spring linseed.
• Hayle Farm, Kent: An apple orchard serving as a test bed for orchard-specific technologies.

By managing half the trial area with digital technologies and comparing it to standard practices, we gather robust, real-world data to validate their effectiveness.

Early Results and Learnings

Our trials are already delivering valuable insights:

• Enhanced Collaboration: We’ve facilitated interoperability between systems, streamlining their use for growers.
• Problem Solving in Real-Time: Early challenges, such as sensor wiring being susceptible to rabbit damage, have been resolved by manufacturers thanks to our feedback.
• Complementary Tools: Technologies like the PlentySense N Blades and Skippy Scout drones are proving to work well together, amplifying their individual benefits.

Expanding the Network

The success of our initial trials is just the beginning. RHIZA is committed to expanding the DTF network to include more sites and crops, including high-value vegetables. This will ensure comprehensive geographic and agronomic coverage, benefiting a wider range of growers.

Our Commitment to Growers

At RHIZA, we believe in more than just delivering technology—we’re here to ensure it works for you. From data integration to hands-on support, we provide the tools and expertise to make digital farming practical and profitable.

We’re proud to share the results of our work through reports, open days, and grower meetings. These insights are part of our commitment to helping farms across the UK harness the full potential of digital agronomy.