Classifications

• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A01—AGRICULTURE; FORESTRY; ANIMAL HUSBANDRY; HUNTING; TRAPPING; FISHING
  • A01C—PLANTING; SOWING; FERTILISING
  • A01C23/00—Distributing devices specially adapted for liquid manure or other fertilising liquid, including ammonia, e.g. transport tanks or sprinkling wagons
  • A01C23/007—Metering or regulating systems
• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A01—AGRICULTURE; FORESTRY; ANIMAL HUSBANDRY; HUNTING; TRAPPING; FISHING
  • A01C—PLANTING; SOWING; FERTILISING
  • A01C21/00—Methods of fertilising, sowing or planting
  • A01C21/007—Determining fertilization requirements
• • Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
  • Y02—TECHNOLOGIES OR APPLICATIONS FOR MITIGATION OR ADAPTATION AGAINST CLIMATE CHANGE
  • Y02P—CLIMATE CHANGE MITIGATION TECHNOLOGIES IN THE PRODUCTION OR PROCESSING OF GOODS
  • Y02P60/00—Technologies relating to agriculture, livestock or agroalimentary industries
  • Y02P60/20—Reduction of greenhouse gas [GHG] emissions in agriculture, e.g. CO2
  • Y02P60/21—Dinitrogen oxide [N2O], e.g. using aquaponics, hydroponics or efficiency measures

Definitions

• the present relates to a method and a system for optimizing application of slurry.
• This invention relates to a method and a system for optimizing the fertilizing value of a slurry applied at an agricultural field through monitoring environmental conditions and selecting the best application conditions.
• This invention further relates to a system at least partly arranged on site such as carried on a tractor or a slurry tanker and which is configured to perform the optimization method by monitoring the application conditions, selecting the best application mode according to the monitored conditions, and to advise the driver of the slurry tanker on the best application mode selected by the method.
• NUE Nitrogen utilization efficiency
• RTNUE Real-Time-NUE
• the RTNUE is based on the current NUE influencing factors and calculates a future NUE when the ammonia emission has departed.
• the RTNUE will enable the driver/farm manager to make informed decisions on when to use acidification or other means to improve the NUE when it is cost effective to do so.
• the system and method may further provide documentation of the NUE variability in the field to generate a variable application rate map for mineral fertilizer application to make a uniform application of fertilizers.
• Patent US 9,532,499 B2 discloses a gas monitoring system on an agricultural implement such as a tractor or cultivator with a nutrient applicator to inject chemicals or compounds into the soil. Although the soil generally covers over the chemicals or compounds, there still may be gases released into the atmosphere.
• the system includes a sensor that detects the gas phase of the chemicals or compounds.
• the system is also set up to generate an indication when a concentration of the gas passes a threshold. If the concentration of the gas in the atmosphere is too high, an alarm may sound or flash, or the release of the chemicals or compounds is reduced or ceased.
• This system helps to monitor the consequence of a gravely wrong application of a slurry to a field, but this invention does not help to select the best conditions for actual application at hand.
• Patent US 2017/00061052 A1 describes a system for generating digital models of nitrogen availability based on field data, weather forecast data, and models of water flow, temperature, and crop uptake of nitrogen and water is provided.
• field data and forecast data are received by an agricultural intelligence computing system.
• the agricultural intelligence computing system models changes in temperature of different soil layers, moisture content of different soil layers, and loss of nitrogen and water to the soil through crop uptake, leaching, denitrification, volatilization, and evapotranspiration.
• the agricultural intelligence computing system creates a digital model of nitrogen availability based on the temperature, moisture content, and loss models.
• the agricultural intelligence computing system may then send nitrogen availability data to a field manager computing device and/or use the nitrogen availability data to create notifications, recommendations, agronomic models, and/or control parameters for an application controller.
• This invention addresses generating digital models of nutrients available to a crop over the course of the crops development based on weather and soil data, rather than clear optimal application recommendations at the time of application of a fertilizer slurry to a field.
• the contend of animal- or digested slurry is very often 95 % water with the rest consisting mostly of plant nutrients like nitrogen, phosphorus, calcium, potassium, etc. and carbon-based organic matter. Slurry is a good soil improvement source because of the organic matter and the plant nutrients stimulate plant growth.
• the application rate (m3/ha) is variable and often depends on nitrogen or phosphorus, with a maximum of 170 kg nitrogen pr. ha with use of slurry (EU nitrate directive). Outside of EU, application rates may be much higher.
• the framework conditions for slurry application is very much an umbrella that determine the equipment used and thus the application technologies used. Most framework conditions have a requirement for the slurry nitrogen utilization efficiency (NUE), very often between 60 to 85%.
• the NUE can be improved in many ways, where the trend towards acidification is noticeable.
• This application method (acidification) requires the use of sulphuric acid, which is potentially dangerous but also adds additional costs to the application.
• the alternative technology to acidification is injection of slurry into the soil. This technology has its drawbacks in added power requirements and small working width that requires increased work capacity. Laughter gas (N2O) emission is also increased by use of injection technology and this technology could be deemed as a non-sustainable because of climate gas increase.
• the target for acidification is to limit the emission losses of ammonia nitrogen. This will significantly increase the NUE.
• Ammonia is a gas form, and it is extremely volatile depending on application technology and climate/weather conditions. In the early spring, when it is cold, high humidity and no wind, there may be as little as 5 % ammonia emission. Conversely, on a warm summer day with little humidity and high wind, 90 % of all ammonia- and ammonium may be lost as ammonia emission.
• the acidification technology may reduce the ammonia emission 50 % to 70 % in both scenarios, but with a considerable different effect on kg of plant available nitrogen saved as a result. The profitability of increasing the NUE is thus depending on many factors and a considerable experience in when to apply the technology is required.
• the animal slurry is a priority because of the current low NUE.
• splitting the applications i.e. using two or more applications instead of a single application
• This is currently best practice but used mostly with mineral fertilizers. This may result in increasing the number of applications with less nitrogen pr. application of both mineral- and organic (slurry) fertilizers in a season.
• Mineral fertilizers may also be used in combination with slurry to reduce some of the in-field traffic. It is common to start with a mineral dose rate of 25- to 50 kg in February /March and proceed with the main slurry application of 120 - 170 kg nitrogen in early Marts and finish with a late mineral fertilizer application in of
• NUE nitrogen utilization efficiency
• RTNUE real time nitrogen utilization efficiency
• base data preferably while applying slurry to a field
• the base data comprising slurry application rate, acid application rate, nitrogen inhibitor application rate, pitch/roll, GNSS, GPRS positioning system, slurry pH, duration of emission time, PTO (PTO is short for a Tractors Power-Take-Off On a tractor the PTO is an energy supplier for an implement. Delivering energy either in forms of mechanical or hydraulic manner), tank size, application/spreading technology, working width, overlaps, gaps, slurry temperature and/or soil quality map, as background data for calculating the nitrogen utilization efficiency
• site-specific data related to site specific conditions for estimating the nitrogen utilization efficiency and /or variations in nitrogen utilization efficiency, the site-specific data comprising temperature, wind speed and direction, air moisture content and/or rainfall
• the nutrition data comprising ammonium content, dry-matter, total available nitrogen, phosphorus and/or potassium
• RTNUE real time nitrogen utilization efficiency
• a system and method which enables the optimization of the NUE based on a number of input including type of slurry, application patterns, weather conditions, soil and terrain information as each of these factors may be relevant for calculation a real time prediction of NUE and preferably a suggested optimized application data set.
• the NUE and/or RTNUE may be calculated my various methods and based on a number of parameters including but not necessarily limited to the methods and parameters mentioned herein.
• RTNUE data and RTNUE information may be used interchangeably.
• the total NUE can thus be optimize as Real Time NUE information is provided during application allowing the user to make informed choices and/or accept suggestions from the system based on the provided RTNUE information, which without the present invention isn’t possible.
• the RTNUE information may for example be provided as text, graphs, sound, color codes, transferred data and/or interactive text or icons or similar which for example allows the user to choose one or more suggested options or types of information provided as well as it may clearly indicate to a user what the current RTNUE is and if desired also what an suggested action may be.
• On-site may be any one or more sites where the RTNUE data can be read, reacted on, processed etc.
• each of the mentioned parameters may be important in providing information which is directly applicable in form of direct instructions on when, how and also where to apply slurry.
• Slurry application is subject to a substantial emission of ammonia gas. Depending on the climate conditions at the time of application and the application equipment used, it may vary from 5 % to 90 % of total ammonium N content. An average of NUE around 40 % compared to NUE of 80% with mineral fertilizers is common.
• the emission rates can be calculated using all- or a combination of above climate data- and knowledge about the slurry and the application technique.
• Various methods may be used to provide the calculated NUE.
• the Alfam model contains +4000 ammonia emission trails. With the measured climate data, slurry nutrient data and slurry tanker data, it selects the measured trail data that corresponds to the measured data and displays the measured NUE.
• the present method and system may provide the operator a very good indication of the current emission and how it develops over the day/ time.
• the climate data for the comparison preferably have a duration of min. 24 hours after application as the emissions may continue up to 3 days after application and rainfall can lead a significant variation in emmision.
• the more data sets in the database and accurate data from the application the more precise the estimates will be. It may however not always be necessary to have all above time/data in order to get a good idea of the emission rate but data from air temperature and wind speed are in most cases essential for an accurate estimate, combined with slurry volume pr. area unit, nitrogen content in the slurry, slurry application technique and GPS position.
• the contents of nitrogen in the slurry is ideally measured pr. slurry storage tank or pr. slurry tanker load with an on-bord NIR or NMRS scanner. This way it may be automatically stored in the dataset pr. field and the operator is not asked to enter data he may not know. If the data is not available from a sensor, they can for example be available as a sample analysis from the barn or storage. If it is digested slurry, it is may be readily available as analysis usually is delivered by the biogas plant. Finally, the nitrogen content can be found in the normative figures that are available from extension services and can be added to the data set for example on board the slurry tanker. These data are preferably available in the slurry tanker terminal system as a minimum requirement for information.
• ammonium is water solvent, it is not likely to vary much pr. slurry tanker load, but the dry matter also holds nitrogen and that may vary considerably from start to stop. Especially with pig slurry, there is pronounced tendency for the dry matter to sediment and if the storage tank is not stirred during the application period, it can lead to a difference of 30 to 50 % dry matter from beginning to end. It is preferred to map this effect because it can create significant differences in the phosphorus application rates that may need to be considered in later phosphorus applications and soil analysis strategies.
• the model (preferably Alfam model) calculated emission rates may be site specific, as the climate variations over a day or per slurry application can vary considerably and change the potential NUE within a field.
• a variable digital application map can be produced and areas with an insufficient NUE can be identified. During any subsequent nitrogen application, these areas can receive a higher dose rate to correct for the emission loss. This will result in much less yield variations and an average higher yield.
• Actual “as applied maps” may be provided by the present system and method.
• the system and method may provide maps for optimized subsequent application of further slurry and/or minerals as described later. Local climate/weather data are often important, even at a sub -field level.
• the real gamechanger in total NUE pr. day may be a rain shower. This may not stop the slurry application with only a few mm. of rain, but it does change the dynamics of emissions very significantly. In fact, emissions levels may be 80 % one minute, and it can be reduced to below 5 % the next. With an EU nitrate directive maximum of 170 kg nitrogen slurry applied pr ha, this is NUE variation from 34 kg one moment to 170 kg applied the next. Most of the losses caused by emission, is usually done within 4 to 8 hours after application. A normal working day for slurry application is often 16 hours. That means that significant variations in slurry NUE can be caused by climate variations during a normal working day whereby the present method and system can be advantageously applied to optimize the nitrogen application.
• climate data may be provided to the present system and method from the internet- and/or online from a local weather station.
• he slurry tanker may have its own weather station fitted to record a complete set of data for example as a rain shower, wind or temperature conditions can be extremely local.
• Slurry liquid may penetrate the soil at different speeds because of soil type and water saturation.
• Sandy soils are distinctively quicker at absorbing the slurry liquid than clay soils. Since the ammonium nitrogen in slurry liquid is water solvable, it follows the liquid fraction of the slurry and penetrates the soil. After penetration, it binds itself to the soil colloids and the fertilization application process is over.
• Agricultural fields are composed of many different soil qualities. Because of that, it can be important to know the variations to estimate the variations in penetration time, as an increase in liquid slurry fraction exposure to climate surface conditions may increase the emission rate. Soil quality maps/data may be available on the internet and used in various embodiments of the present system and method.
• Emission rates may also be influenced by field inclinations.
• the slurry When the slurry is fermented in a digester, its viscosity increases and becomes very much like water. That increases the risk of surface run-off Not necessary run-off from the field, but movement of the slurry within the field with the result being uneven distribution of the fertilizers.
• the soil topography maps can be important for estimates of slurry emissions and especially in combination with slurry viscosity and volume, it may constitute an important source of information on emission variations and NUE provided by the present system and method.
• a slurry tanker may mean a combination of a tractor and slurry tanker or a self-propelled slurry tanker.
• a slurry tanker When a slurry tanker has acidification technology installed, the pH is known. If the slurry tanker has a NIR sensor or an NMRS scanner, the nitrogen contend is precisely identified. Volume of slurry is very accurately measured from a flow sensor or less accurate from the slurry pump.
• Position of the slurry tanker can be identified through GPRS position and it is standard through the need for operating the slurry tanker precisely and documentation of the slurry application site. In the set-up of a job, the driver is asked to identify the application type he is using.
• the average emission can in some embodiments be statistically processed to make sure that it represents the known variations without risk of false data interpretations.
• the site-specific data sets can also be “cleaned” of abnormalities through algorithms that compare climatic data at a given site to verify that the local emission variations are plausible and give credibility to the site-specific application maps.
• Deposition of ammonia may also influence the nitrogen dose rate and utilization efficiency and thus data relevant for this may be provided to and/or processed by the present method and system.
• the reason ammonia escapes into our atmosphere, is an imbalance between the concentration in the slurry and in the air. This imbalance will always seek to even itself out and so the more turbulence there is (wind), high temperature and the broader the surface area of the slurry (application technique) - the higher the emission rate.
• the ammonia has escaped the slurry into the air, it has little or no effect on total deposition on the area where slurry has been applied as it will be rejected by the imbalance. First, when it exceeds the slurry application boundary, it may find a place for deposition.
• the first recommendation to decrease emission losses is to apply slurry downwind.
• the ammonia emission deposition rate is based on air concentration contra surface concentration so just outside the application boundary, the deposition is high because of a high air concentration and low surface concentration. As concentration dilutes over distance the deposition pr area unit lowers. As a result, ammonia emission has a high impact on local biodiversity downwind of the application area and may cause air pollution more than 1000 km away.
• the emission rate is known, it is possible to identify the deposition area through the wind speed- and wind direction. This is typically a few kg /ha, but it may be 5-7 kg/ha with less favorable emission conditions.
• Splitting the applications in to two or more applications present an opportunity for increasing the overall NUE using the “slurry As applied map” generated by the method and system according to the present invention to generate an application map for mineral fertilizer thereby further optimizing the application of mineral fertilizer.
• Slurry applications have a set of parameters not seen by other farm equipment. Its working distance pr. tank/application run is set by working width, tank size and slurry application rate pr. ha. A normal application distance for a 20m3 slurry tanker is somewhere between 100m to 1000m covering around 0.5 ha. to 1 ha.
• On-site may be on board a slurry-tanker an/or where the provided RTNUE information may be applied and/or processed in order to optimize and/or document the NUE for a slurry application.
• the calculated RTNUE data are provided in the form of nitrogen utilization efficiency in % and/or weight comparison of nitrogen between
• RTNUE real time information
• site specific data such as current on site changes in temperature such as air and/or soil temperate and/or wind conditions
• the system and method may provide the RTNUE showing a 20% NUE with regular band application and a 65% NUE with a specific degree of added acidification allowing the user or system to adapt to optimize NUE without increasing the cost related to acid consumption to a level above what is viable.
• summarizing a difference in nitrogen utilization efficiency expressed in cumulation % and/or in cumulation of weight total nitrogen obtained from the calculated RTNUE data between conventional slurry application and slurry application with acidification pr. Job, pr. year and / or pr. system lifetime can provide a valuable insight into overall difference between actual and ideally achievable NUE and/or weight total Nitrogen.
• the system and method may provide information on how much nitrogen is actually applied (i.e. not lost to emission) and/or how much nitrogen is lost due to emission when providing the NUE.
• the system and method are used for generating and/or displaying one or more maps based on the RTNUE, base data, site specific data and/or nutrition data.
• Said maps may for example be: slurry as applied map showing overlap and gaps in the application field dry-matter as applied map, 2 nd year nitrogen digital variable rate map as overlay for a first year nitrogen application map.
• nitrogen utilization efficiency map map of Nitrogen: Phosphorus (N:P) slurry application ratio, and/or variable rate application map for nutrition elements such as nitrogen, phosphorus, Sulphur and / or potassium.
• This may be highly relevant where there are inclinations above 1%, 2%, 3%, 4%, 5% or even higher such as above 6% or higher such as above 8%.
• the need for evaluating and/or forecasting application of slurry in relation to inclination of the fields may for example be at least partly regulated by local or regional environmental laws.
• Other options may be a map of contribution margin loss from nitrogen utilization efficiency, wherein the map contains a summarizing of the contribution margin loss pr job and/or pr season. Or a map of local ammonia emission deposition to adjacent fields and/or a variable rate application map for fertilizers.
• At least the base data may be used to produce a nitrogen utilization efficiency forecast which may be used to manually or automatically plan applications or even decide on when to carry out an application.
• Calculating and providing the Green House Gas emission reduction effect from the optimized slurry application for example with documentation to be used for documentation and/or information regarding sustainability and/or GHG accounting and/or subsidy payment and/or issue of carbon credits may be of increasing relevance.
• the present method and invention not only provide highly developed tools for the user to control, plan, document and/or monitor the use of available resources with a direct economical perspective, it also provides important data and enables action regarding environmental responsibilities, compliance and future optimal and responsible applications.
• the information calculated and collected about the RTNUE and the resulting calculated NUE information can be stored and/or used for various subsequent and/or parallel steps. Such subsequent and/or parallel steps may carried out to gain insight in and/or documentation of the effect/result achieved by application of slurry optimized by the current method and system.
• the RTNUE information provided by the present method and system may not only be used to achieve an optimized NUE for one or more full or partial slurry applications, the collected data and calculated RTNUE may be used to provide information about how specified factors such as GHG emission, leaching of nitrate, etc has been affected by optimizing the application and thereby the NUE.
• the present method and system may advantageously be used to calculate and/or document the optimized NUE and other data relevant to the data collected and parameters calculated. This may for example be relevant for:
• GHG accounting is a major issue with slurry in agriculture. This is because +40 % of the agricultural GHG originates from N2O in soils. To meet EU / national reduction targets, an accounting and reduction of GHG in soils must be introduced. This is all related to the NUE, nitrogen inhibitor and acidification of slurry, that are key technologies to enable the reductions. Without these technologies and documentation of their use, the GHG reductions must be calculate from highly inaccurate normative figures without any proof of their actual implementation. GHG from agriculture in question:
• CO2 equivalents A carbon dioxide equivalent or C02 equivalent, abbreviated as C02- eq is a metric measure used to compare the emissions from various greenhouse gases on the basis of their global-warming potential, by converting amounts of other gases to the equivalent amount of carbon dioxide with the same global warming potential.
• the emissions from the agricultural sector include the greenhouse gases (GHGs): methane (CH4), nitrous oxide (N20) and carbon dioxide (C02), as well as the air pollutant: ammonia (NH3) which in air is oxidized to nitrate (N03-) with traces of nitrous oxide as a bi -product of the oxidation.
• GSGs greenhouse gases
• CH4 methane
• N20 nitrous oxide
• C02 carbon dioxide
• NH3 ammonia
• Methane CH 4 (x40 C0 2 eq) - Produced by methanogenic bacteria in slurry and as by product in soil through anaerobic decomposition of organic material Nitrous oxide N 2 0 (x298 C0 2 eq) - By-product in decomposition of slurry / use of fertilizer in nitrification- and denitrification processes in soils
• the EU CAP (common agricultural policy) has been revised and from 2023, the EU strategy is to introduce a requirement for 50 % reduction in loss of nutrients resulting in a reduction in use of nitrogen with 20 %. This target is to be reached by 2030.
• This par of CAP is called The EU green deal and it permits EU members to introduce requirements for environmentally sustainable praxis in the EU ha subsidy scheme. App 25 % of the pr. Ha subsidy (app. 50 € pr. Ha) will be withheld and only be payable against a strong focus on improvement of the NUE of slurry/ loss of nutrients.
• the documentation from the present method and system (which method and system may be provided in form of an e-missioN product) will enable farmers to claim the withheld subsidy and act as a strong incentive for use of the system.
• N2O According to Aarhus university, app. 43 % of the total amount of GHG in agriculture is released as N2O from soils in Denmark. This is a result of nitrification and denitrification processes when nitrogen applied as fertilizer is used. When those processes take place in an oxygen depleted environment, N2O is an unavoidable waste product. As it is a factor x300 stronger than CO2, it must be avoided.
• the best way to avoid the N2O process is by securing an optimal plant utilization of nitrogen - either as ammonium or nitrate. This is then related to the present method and system as the use of the present method and system optimizes the dose-rate of nitrogen which leads to a reduced need for nitrogen and thus to a reduction in release of N2O as a GHG. Research is currently being conducted to quantify this reduction and relate it to the amount of Kg. nitrogen used on different soil types and crops. The GHG reduction schemes depends on accounting processes for the reduction of GHG and so the ability to document the process and the results thereof is a necessity. Provided documentation for the sustainable use of nitrogen as fertilizer is available, there are different schemes available for farmer subsidy compensation payment.
• Nitrogen inhibitors have been used for decades and have a well -documented effect of increasing the NUE. This is especially important with Maize on sandy soils and in years with a high precipitation.
• Nitrogen inhibitors in the trade with the active ingredient 2-chlor-S-tnehlormetyI pyridin (N-lock/N-serve)
• Nitrogen inhibitors also have the ability to decrease the ammonia emission by binding the ammonium in the soil for a prolonged time and thus avoid ammonia emissions, which is an indirect GHG. In Germany, the use of nitrogen inhibitors together with Urea fertilizer, has been made mandatory.
• nitrogen inhibitor may be documented by the present method and system through measurement of the dose rate that is defined by- but not limited to liters pr. m3 slurry or pr. ha
• the present method and system may be used on site for example on board in a slurry application vehicle to provide at least the RTNUE but also other highly important data.
• System may for example comprise an on-site devise with regularly updated information.
• the devise preferably comprise means such as an interface for the user to interact with the system.
• the system can also comprise one or more remote devices for storing, receiving and/or processing data and information according to the method described herein.
• Site specific data may be provided by e.g. known sources for weather information, but may in several embodiments be provided by one or more on-site sensors such as sensors located at relevant points in or around a field or even at the slurry application vehicle.
• on-site sensors such as sensors located at relevant points in or around a field or even at the slurry application vehicle.
• RTNUE data and/or maps may be used for planning future applications of slurry and/or e.g. alternative fertilizers.
• the data and maps may be used to plan within a single year but may also be used to optimize gains from the fields and minimize negative environmental impact over several years thereby enabling long term optimization, planning and compliance.
• the system and method may comprise means for using satellite imagery for canopy growth to calibrate for nitrogen use efficiency.
• the system comprises:
• Data collecting means such as sensors, means for automatic or manual input of data tables and/or means for receiving online data such as weather data.
• Data processing means which may be found on site and/or remote and/or in a portable device such as a tablet, onboard terminal or mobile phone.
• Means for sending/receiving information such as Wi-Fi, gps, telephone, internet and/or cloud technology.
• Means for providing at least the calculated RTNUE for example in the form of an integrated screen, speaker and/or mobile device.
• the system also comprises a user interface which is available on site.
• the user interface may be used to visually track optimal NUE performance and also for example allow the user to manually adjust the application accordingly and/or oversee automatic adjustment of the application based on the provided RTNUE data.
• the system may be arranged with means for generating and/or providing one or more maps based on the base data, on site data, nutrition date.
• an on-site part of the system may be used to gather, store and/or transmit data specific to time, place and application settings which may be used to generate maps of how much nitrogen, Sulphur, phosphor has been applied where on a field.
• the system may comprise means for providing a forecast and/or a suggested application strategy based on one or more of base data, on site data, nutrition data and/or at least one of the provided maps.
• visual maps can be generated and provided allowing a user to evaluate one or more applications one by one or as overlapping maps of multiple applications.
• the maps may also be provided as transferable data and/or reports for planning future application and/or as documentation for authorities to prove compliance to environmental regulations.
• the system may comprise one or more ammonia sensors positioned downwind on adjacent fields.
• the value of the system is not limited to fertilizer planning and follow-up.
• the method and system may measure- and gather all the needed- or available data. It is thus aware of all the slurry tanker data and the current climate data. This gives the system an on-line ability to show the driver his estimated emission % and kg losses and he can monitor this as his workday proceeds. This information can be used for decisions for example on whether to stop / go if the emission increases over a certain threshold.
• the NUE becomes a very important information in e.g. a nitrogen quota limiting scenario as the lost nitrogen may not be replaced by additional purchases or applications of nitrogen.
• the weather forecast may also provide the climate data that enables an estimate on NUE. This may influence decisions for proceeding activities -for instance on whether to continue until late to finish a job- or whether to expect to continue the following day.
• Fig 2 Simplified diagram of input and output from the present method and system Fig. 3a and 3b exemplary on-site data
• Fig. 4a - 4c show exemplary maps according to the present inventon
• the method and system 1 collects and processes at least base data 2, nutritional data 3 and site specific data 4 and processes these to provide RTNUE.
• the system and method preferably records and stores actual application data 5 which together with the other data may form the basis for several types of maps such as variable rate application maps 6.
• the system and method may also provide and be provided with e.g. data in form of a “slurry as applied” map 7.
• a slurry nitrogen loss monitor system and method for a slurry tanker advantageously may monitor many parameters regarding the slurry application to calculate the slurry application related ammonia emission.
• These data can be supplied by nutrient data of the slurry and climate data.
• the combined data can be used to monitor the nitrogen utilization efficiency (NUE) of the slurry.
• NUE nitrogen utilization efficiency
• Said system comprises software, electronic hardware, and sensors to monitor the performance and position of a slurry tanker.
• the basic system monitors how the mosaic of slurry application paths are distributed within. While performing slurry application it informs the slurry tanker driver of the NUE status and may compare conventional application with acidification technology to optimize the use of conventional application with acidification technologies to optimize the NUE.
• the full version of the invention may contain all data recordings needed to deliver an accurate calculation of the NUE. This includes variations in the natural volatility of the slurry over the application period. These data can be transmitted to the cloud for further optimizing the data into a variable rate application map for fertilizers based on the variable NUE.
• the introduced variations and the natural climate/weather variations can be combined in a dataset to create an NUE variation map or a site-specific application map which may be used with a further e.g. a 2 nd - and/or final application of nitrogen for example in form of slurry or mineral.
• the invention can also be used to forecast the NUE based on weather forecasts and knowledge of the nutrient content of the slurry.
• Fig 3a and 3b show examples of how the obtained and calculated information may be presented on site.
• Fig. 4a -4c show maps provided and used by the present method and system. Each map shows a number of zones each with a grey scale indication of value of e.g. Kg N/ha or other parameters relevant for or provided by the present method and system depending on the map type. AsApplied in Fig 4a shows the amount of N from application of slurry as is without the inclusion of NUE. Applied in fig 4b is application with deduction of ammonia emission i.e. including NUE. VRT in fig 4c shows the amount of N lacking to obtain a uniform application of N of 140kg/ha.
• the current method (also named the e-missioN method herein) for nitrogen fertilization with an optimized NUE is a four- stage application method.
• the timing of the applications is variable according to climate. In Denmark, it will often be: 1. 1 st application with mineral fertilizer in early February. This will be between 20 to 50 kg nitrogen to get an early booster for plant growth. Mineral fertilizers have an efficiency of app. 80%.
• the NUE is measured by the e-missioN System, including the gaps- and overlap map as seen in the figures. With the maps, it is possible to identify the average NUE dose rate of the field and how much- and where the variability has taken place.
• the RTNUE maps are then use as background map to create the VRT (Variable Rate Technology maps).
• the used nitrogen dosage rates for No. 3 and 4 are adjusted according to identified NUE by the present method and system during the season.
• the steps and timing may depend on local requirements and conditions.
• a further function may be built into the e-missioN method.
• the logistics of the slurry tanker is highly dependent on the volume of slurry in the tank. The distant traveled is fixed and often between 200 - 400 m. pr. load. This leaves inconvenient gaps and a need for the slurry tanker to revisit tramlines. This can be avoided by “stretching” the slurry - applying less than intended to travel the length of the field. Many farmers instruct operators do this manually to reduce field traffic and optimize work time. However, this has consequences for the nitrogen dosage rate. With e-missioN application method, this is perfectly acceptable behavior as it will be seen in the maps and automatically be “repaired” with an increased dosage rate of mineral nitrogen fertilizer in the areas where the dosage rate has been altered.

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• 2020
  • 2020-11-30 EP EP20210820.5A patent/EP4005362A1/de not_active Withdrawn
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