EP 145: Board of Animal Health, Animal Pathogens & Game Shows
August 7, 2024
Solinftec Automatic Sprayers Update from Premier Ag
August 13, 2024
2024 is the second year Premier has utilized the automated sprayer robots developed by Solinftec. Two of our values at Premier are to be Progressive and Customer Focused. By researching and implementing cutting-edge technologies like these autonomous sprayers, we are ensuring our farmer members consistently have the latest opportunities to optimize their processes and production.
We sat down with Solinftec Representative, Taylor Wetli, to learn more about the autonomous sprayers and what the relationship between our companies will look like for future seasons.
Premier: Can you provide a brief overview of the Solinftec automatic sprayers and their main features?
Taylor Wetli: The Solix Autonomous Platform is a fully automated sprayer that acts as both an applicator and agronomist in the field. On the applicator side, through targeted application, the machine detects weeds through utilizing cameras and its Alice AI to spray only on those specific weeds it detects via its independent nozzle control. On the agronomist side, Solix detects crop health at a plant by plant level (stand count, population, skips, doubles, crop stage & height, etc.) along with creating a weed map in the field of each individual weed. The sprayers are solar powered with a battery – allowing them to run continuously 24/7.
P: What sets Solinftec’s automatic sprayers apart from other similar technologies on the market?
TW: Solix separates itself from other similar technologies in the market through its multi-pass program enabled by Alice AI technology. In comparison to larger broadcast sprayers, Solix lives in the field and maintains the crop throughout the season. With this structure, Solix is able to make multiple passes allowing for application of weeds at early growth stages – leading to optimized product amount and efficacy. Through spraying weeds early and often continuously throughout the season, the farmer experiences continuous understanding of the crop throughout the season (population, crop stage, stand count) as well as optimal weed control (targeted application ie. less product).
P: How did the partnership between Solinftec and Premier Companies come about?
TW: Solinftec and Premier Companies began their partnership in ‘23 through the collaboration of bringing Solix to the market at a limited scale commercially. Premier Companies purchased two Solix sprayer robots to utilize on their growers’ fields. Through the combination of the Solix technology and Premier’s agronomic and operational expertise, the partners have created a close digital experience filled with agronomic insights and optimal weed control through the Premier retail platform for the farmer. In ‘24, the Premier Solix fleet has now grown to twelve Solix robots.
P: What are the key benefits that Premier Companies and their farmers are experiencing with the use of Solinftec’s sprayers?
TW: Some key benefits that Premier Companies and their farmers are experiencing through the Solix sprayer program include early stage weed control in conjunction with optimized chemical product usage. Additionally, an incredible insight and data layer has emerged for the growers throughout the season.
Through Solix’s constant monitoring of the fields, growers now are able to have a connection with the field at a plant by plant level that they have never experienced before. With these data insights and knowledge, Premier’s Agronomy Team is now able to act as an enabler of this data and provide actionable insights for products to the growers’ fields throughout the season with the goal of ultimately improving yield.
P: Can you discuss any specific innovations or technologies integrated into the Solinftec sprayers that enhance their performance?
TW: The Solinftec sprayers are each integrated with the ALICE AI Technology. This technology is responsible for identifying and spraying weeds as well as understanding crop health, emergence, population, and crop stage. With this knowledge ALICE AI can provide insights and recommendations in order to ultimately better manage fields and increase yield.
P: How does Solinftec ensure the capability of its sprayers with various types of farming equipment and practices?
TW: Solinftec ensures the capability of its sprayers across various types of farming and regions through an extensive support team and proper R&D calibration in accordance with the types of farming practices the technology will be utilized on.
P: What kind of training or support does Solinftec provide to farmers and Premier Companies for using the automatic sprayers?
TW: Solinftec supports the onboarding implementation of Solix through a large support team focused on enabling the adoption of this new technology for Premier Companies. Early season training on Solix software is coupled with in-field operational training. Solinftec in-field support for the growers and the operations team also allows for adoption and implementation of the robots into the Premier fleet.
P: Can you share any data or metrics that highlight the impact of Solinftec’s sprayers on crop yield, efficiency, or cost savings?
TW: Through the Solix platform, some Premier fields have shown as high as a 97% optimization of post emerge herbicides. This level of chemical optimization is enabled through Premier Agronomist recommendations and chemical programs.
P: How does Solinftec gather and incorporate feedback from Premier Companies and other customers to improve their products?
TW: Solinfec gathers feedback through working very closely with the Premier teams during implementation and throughout the season via Solinftec’s support team. Additionally, quarterly meetings with Premier and season reviews enable the continuous evolution of both the Solix Platform and growth of the platform within Premier Companies.
The Future Between Premier & Solinftec
The collaboration between Premier and Solinftec is a testament to our commitment to innovation and customer-centric solutions. By leveraging advanced technologies like the Solix Autonomous Platform, we are not only enhancing the efficiency and effectiveness of our agronomic practices but also providing our farmer members with invaluable insights and data to optimize their operations.
This journey of integrating cutting-edge automation and AI into our farming practices underscores our dedication to staying ahead of the curve and delivering exceptional value to our customers.
We are excited about the future possibilities this partnership holds and remain committed to exploring new ways to support our farmers with the latest advancements in agricultural technology. Stay tuned for more updates as we continue to innovate and drive progress in the field.
