Data-Driven Decisions Open Up New Opportunities

RHIZA serves as the foundation for making informed decisions.

Spanning 1200 hectares in north-east Lincolnshire, Holton Farms is deeply engaged in precision farming technology. From automated guidance and yield mapping to soil texture analysis and variable-rate seed maps, these systems offer a range of management advantages.

However, consolidating the layers of data into a unified program to facilitate management decisions crucial for the future viability of the business has been pivotal in unlocking the true potential of the gathered information.

For farm manager Nick Young, data in all its forms has been pivotal in enhancing profitability. This includes determining the extent to which the estate should participate in the sustainable farming incentive (SFI) and exploring opportunities arising from multinational interest in carbon storage.

Crop yield data is collected by the John Deere 790 combine harvester equipped with the firm’s proprietary GreenStar system. GreenStar is also integrated into the farm’s SAM sprayer, while the fleet of CASE iH tractors utilises CASE’s native program, AFS Connect. These tractors connect to the farm's two seed drills, a John Deere 750A and a Weaving Sabre Tine.

Apart from the yield recording capability of the combine harvester, both GreenStar and AFS Connect are designed to enhance operational efficiency through automated guidance and section control. While this suffices for those aiming to conserve fuel or reduce crop inputs through minimized overlap, the insight derived from layering data from multiple sources will be crucial for accessing new markets such as carbon trading.

Soils, and actions to foster and safeguard them, are a priority of the SFI, with new actions set to be incorporated into the options list for 2024. While the specific requirements for land managers are yet to be determined, possessing comprehensive soil data across the farm will facilitate assessing the feasibility of such actions under the SFI or Countryside Stewardship.