Yara has announced that the Atfarm platform will be free of charge for the 2022 season. Previously available as part of a paid subscription, the move has come due to the ongoing circumstances related to fertiliser pricing and supply disruption.
“The farming industry is facing unique circumstances that, although not permanent, are certainly having a significant financial impact on many farms,” says Jari Pentinmaki, managing director of Yara UK. “Yara has decided to offer its support to help alleviate some of that pressure. By making advanced tools like Atfarm more accessible, farms will be able to make the most efficient use of every kilogram of N.”
The platform is designed to help farmers apply nitrogen more precisely and make better decisions on the farm, increasing their nitrogen use efficiency. Utilising satellite images to monitor crop growth and underpinned by algorithms based on Yara’s years of agronomic expertise farmers and agronomists can create variable rate application maps.
In a season where supply issues and economic decisions mean that farms are operating below the optimum nitrogen rate, variable rate application can offer even greater benefits when nitrogen is applied in areas where the greatest crop responses will result.
“This will also help farmers to more effectively plan and monitor their crop nutrition needs,” said Natalie Wood, agronomy operations manager at Yara UK. “With the removal of a price barrier, farmers can be more dynamic and effective with their nitrogen management. To access this service just go onto the Atfarm website and subscribe it couldn’t be easier.”
“In these challenging times, Yara wants to do everything we can to support UK farmers,” added Mr Pentinmaki. “As our smart digital tools become free to all, we hope this move will help ensure more precise farming is made accessible at a scale that it has never been before.”
