BCG’s free Yield Prophet Lite app, which helps growers work out their potential yield and how much fertiliser is needed to meet that target, has just been updated. Version three of the app now offers uses the ability to save scenarios. This update will save growers time and make the app even easier to use.
BCG Yield Prophet Coordinator Tim McClelland said the app, which has been developed in partnership with CSIRO, can now save different scenarios meaning users can calculate their nitrogen requirements throughout the season with just a few taps.
“BCG is always looking for ways to help growers make informed to decisions to improve the bottom line. This latest update to Yield Prophet Lite will mean growers don’t need to re-enter data such as starting soil conditions and crop type each time they want to re-assess their nitrogen requirements throughout the year. By making the app easier to use it will not only mean current users of Yield Prophet Lite will use it more but more growers are likely to start using it to work out their potential yield and fertiliser requirements. Having this information directly influences farm profitability,” Tim said.
The app has also had a face-lift making it easier to navigate and use.
BCG’s Research Agronomist and Yield Prophet Support Officer James Taylor said there are more updates in the pipeline: “It is hoped version four of Yield Prophet Lite will offer users even more clarity in their nitrogen requirements with the way the outputs are calculated updated to reflect the latest research in this area.”
The Yield Prophet Lite app for iPads can be downloaded from the iTunes store or Google Play Store. It can also be downloaded via the web at: http://www.yieldprophet.com.au/yplite.
About Yield Prophet Lite
Yield Prophet Lite can be run at any time during the growing season. All growers need to do is specify their crop type (wheat, barley, canola or oats), select the closest Bureau of Meteorology weather station, and input some quick details about rainfall, starting soil nitrogen, water and carbon, and any nitrogen applications.
The app will then calculate a range of water and nitrogen-limited yield potentials for the crop and present the likelihood of different future rainfall amounts for the rest of the growing season.
“It calculates yield potential from stored soil water, growing season rainfall, evaporation and the crop’s water use efficiency, based on an updated version of the well-known French and Schultz formula,” Tim said.
Yield Prophet Lite has been developed from the Yield Prophet on-line platform which has the ability to generate reports for individual paddocks detailing real-time crop progress and potential according to the moisture and nutrient status of the soil.
“Yield Prophet Lite gives growers a taste of what a full Yield Prophet subscription can offer,” Tim said.
“It’s a tool that backs up your gut-feel with hard data, to help you make the right business decisions.”
