SWAT MAPS

Soil, Water, and Topography (SWAT) MAPS are high-resolution soil foundation maps used to execute variable rate fertilizer, seed, soil amendment, pesticide, or precision water management. They are created using our patented process.

What are SWAT MAPS?

Soil, Water, and Topography (SWAT) MAPS are high-resolution soil foundation maps used to execute variable rate fertilizer, seed, soil amendment, pesticide, or precision water management. They are created using our patented process.

• Soil
  Factors such as soil texture, organic matter, topsoil depth, and salinity can all impact yield and fertilizer response.
• Water
  Water has the biggest influence on yield and fertilizer response. SWAT MAPS categorizes dry and wet areas in your field into ten different management zones.
• Topography
  Topography is described by landscape positions in a field (hilltops, mid-slopes, and depressions). Topography can influence soil moisture, erosion, organic matter levels, pH, and soil fertility levels.

The SWAT MAPS Layers

• Topography
  Topography is a detailed representation of the natural shapes and features in your field(s), including hills or knolls, mid-slopes, and depression areas that determine where water sheds or collects.
• Organic Matter
  Soil organic matter is the component of your soil that consists of plant and animal tissue at various stages of decomposition, substances that soil microbes synthesize. It is important for water holding capacity and nutrient supply in season.
• Water Flow Paths
  Water flow paths show the direction that water will flow in your field(s).
• Elevation
  Elevation maps show your field's distance above sea level. It is used to determine water flow paths, water accumulation, and as a base layer for a topography model.
• Electrical Conductivity
  Electrical conductivity (EC) is related to the variability of dissolved salts, moisture, and texture differences in your soil.

The SWAT Zones

All SWAT MAPS are made up of ten zones. Having 10 different zones accommodates variability in your field.

• Zones 1 & 2
  Eroded knolls, hills, sandy soils, lower organic matter, dry areas (water shedding).
• Zones 3 & 4
  Shoulder slopes, upper slopes, water runs off.
• Zones 5 & 6
  Mid-slopes, flat areas, field average.
• Zones 7 & 8
  Toe slopes, lower flats.
• Zones 9 & 10
  Depressions, saline areas, higher clay content, peaty, high organic matter, wet (water collecting).

The Benefits

Take advantage of SWAT MAPS on your farm to unlock these benefits and more:

• Increase Your Return on Investment for Applied Nutrients
  Based on the developed map, we can prescribe the optimum rates of nutrients where you’ll get the best response and decrease rates where soil nutrient supply is sufficient, excessive, or where the crop is unresponsive. The goal is to put nutrients where they have the highest potential for a return on investment.
• Maximize Yield Potential
  Variable rate seeding by zone is one way to maximize your yield potential. Increase seeding rates to increase plant competition with weeds. Achieve even emergence, maturity, and the full genetic potential of your hybrids by matching seeding rates to soil and water potential.
• Reduce Lodging
  Address specific nutrient balances in each zone to achieve targeted plant stands with variable rate seeding. Only use plant growth regulators in your high-risk zones.
• Prevent Nitrogen Loss
  SWAT MAPS identifies zones that are prone to nitrogen loss due to leaching or denitrification. Using nitrogen stabilizers in these zones can decrease the risk of nitrogen loss and your fertilizer costs when compared to a flat rate application.
• Manage Salinity and Drainage
  In saline areas, cut your nutrient application. You’re less likely to see a return on investment due to the limited yield potential. Compete with weeds and draw down excess water by increasing your seeding rate.
• Manage Soil pH
  Use variable rate prescriptions to apply lime, wood ash, or other soil amendments to manage soil pH and improve nutrient availability.
• Improve Soil Applied Herbicide Performance
  Soil-applied herbicide rates are based on soil properties, like organic matter, which are mapped and measured through the SWAT MAPS process. Using variable rate methods to apply the correct rate of herbicide in each zone helps maximize weed control. Target weed species that are problematic in certain zones.
• Even Crop Staging, Maturity, and Minimize the Risk of Disease
  Achieving a proper plant stand with variable rate seeding minimizes excessive tillers in cereal crops that delay maturity, or increases plant stands in areas with low survivability. In broadleaf crops and high producing areas, minimize the risk of diseases like white mould in soybeans or canola for instance, by decreasing seeding rates.