Väderstad opens for variable rate output according to external field-mapping

To allow the farmer to take advantage of current technology for precision farming, Väderstad introduces new possibilities for the pneumatic Rapid seed drills. The seed drills are now able to apply a variable rate by communicating with third-party supplies of field-mapping services.

By introducing the communication protocol Väderstad Universal Control, Väderstad enables automatic variable rate output of seed or fertiliser through a third-party field-mapping supplier.

- Väderstad sees an increased demand for variable seed and fertiliser rate and many local companies conduct soil-sampling and mapping services for farmers. We have identified a need for a more open communication between the Väderstad machine and the software supplied by the service provider, says Pontus Nordfeldt, Systems & Components Manager, at Väderstad, and continues:

- Until now, GPS-controlled automatic variable rate was possible using ISOBUS Task Control. With the new communication protocol Väderstad Universal Control, the farmer can take advantage of data from field mapping services. This for example enables the Väderstad seed drill to apply a variable seed rate according to external soil mapping.

To establish the communication, the third-party supplier wirelessly connects to the gateway of the Väderstad seed drill. Through the communication protocol Väderstad Universal Control, the third-party supplier is then able to provide steering information concerning a variable seed or fertiliser rate depending on where the seed drill is positioned on the field.

Väderstad Universal Control is available for the pneumatic seed drills Rapid A 400-800S and Rapid A 600-800C/J. The first compatible field-mapping services will be iSOYL by SOYL as well as ControlMaster by Dataväxt.