Precision planting with task cards
Precision agriculture is all about making smarter decisions. We’re taking a closer look at how task cards, combined with our Ceres 450 planter, help take precision agriculture to the next level. By dividing a field into manageable zones, task cards allow you to fine-tune planting and fertilization based on real soil data—rather than treating the entire field as one uniform area.
What is a task card?
A task card divides your plot into a grid structure, allowing you to make zone-specific adjustments to the planting process. Instead of treating an entire field the same way, you can vary planting distance and fertilization rates based on previously collected soil quality data.
The result? Each zone of your field receives exactly what it needs.
It all starts with a representative soil scan
A solid task card strategy begins with accurate soil data. A comprehensive soil scan provides a detailed view of soil composition across the entire plot, forming the foundation for informed decision-making.
For this task map, we used Syngenta’s InterraScan, which delivers the detailed insights needed to divide the field into distinct zones. Once these zones are defined, you can assign specific settings to each one:
For planting distance, you can work with:
- Planting distance in centimers
- Kilograms per hectare
- Number of plants per hectare
For fertilization, you can set:
- Kilograms per hectare (granular fertilizer)
- Liters per hectare (liquid fertilizer)
How it works in practice
From the driver’s perspective, working with task maps is straightforward. Once the task map is loaded, the planter automatically adjusts its settings based on GPS position. This ensures optimal planting in every zone, maximizing yield potential at minimal fertilizer costs.
As always, it all comes back to preparation. A well-designed soil scan and task map are essential. Once those are in place, the data is simply uploaded to the Ceres 450 planter—and the rest happens automatically in the field.
Ceres 440 and Ceres 450
Whether you’re just getting started with soil scanning or already working with task maps, the Ceres 440 and Ceres 450 planters are fully equipped to read task cards. This allows you to further optimize planting operations while keeping input costs to a minimum—without adding complexity for the operator.