almonds

Almonds

apples-3

apples

Apples

cherries

Cherries

citrus-4

citrus

Citrus

hops-3

hops

Hops

olives-3

olives

Olives

stonefruits-3

StoneFruits

Stone Fruits

grapes-4

Grapes

Wine Grapes

berries-3

berries

Berries

nuts-5

Nuts

pistachios

Pistachios

walnuts

Walnuts

pecans

Pecans

macadamia

Macadamia

grapes-5

Table Grapes

peaches

Peaches

Fieldin delivers risk mitigation for high value crops.

Early detection of pest, weed, and disease pressures in orchards and vineyards is essential to maintain healthy crops and maximize yields. When implementing Integrated Pest Management (IPM) programs, growers rely on teams of scouting professionals and Pest Control Advisors (PCAs) to continuously monitor their fields for threats so timely decisions can be made and actions taken to minimize impact.
<img decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="alignnone wp-image-2971 size-large" src="https://api.fieldin.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/IPM-cycle_new-1024x576.png" alt="integrated pest management" width="1024" height="576" srcset="https://api.fieldin.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/IPM-cycle_new-1024x576.png 1024w, https://api.fieldin.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/IPM-cycle_new-300x169.png 300w, https://api.fieldin.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/IPM-cycle_new-768x432.png 768w, https://api.fieldin.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/IPM-cycle_new-1536x864.png 1536w, https://api.fieldin.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/IPM-cycle_new.png 1920w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" />
Effectiveness of these programs depends not only on constant attention to in-field monitoring throughout the year, but also speedy and precise communications among the team. Historically, scouts and PCAs have relied on a disjointed collection of hand-written notes and photographs to share and analyze findings from the field. Fortunately, advancements in digital scouting technologies, like Fieldin’s Scoutin mobile application, have streamlined the capture and flow of information and led to dramatic improvements in the observation phase of the IPM cycle.
Scouting applications as standalone solutions are helpful, but the value is often limited to the scouts and PCAs who use them. For IPM programs to be truly effective, it requires buy-in and cooperation across the entire farming system, not just scouts and PCAs. Fieldin’s Scoutin app was designed to integrate into the broader farming operating system to close the loop in pest management cycles.
<h3>Integrated technologies deliver greater benefits to orchard and vineyard operations</h3>
When dealing with a particular pressure in an orchard or vineyard, the activities involved in addressing that threat typically follow a similar sequence of events, as indicated in the IPM cycle mentioned above. Let’s take a simple example of identifying and addressing a pest pressure on a farm:
<ol>
<li>Scout discovers and reports observation of a threat from the field with photos, geo-tagged location, and detailed notes.</li>
<li>PCA receives the scouting report, assesses the severity, and develops an action plan to mitigate the threat. The PCA prescribes a targeted spray application for identified blocks, including the date range, precise chemical make-up, application rate, and associated tractor speed.</li>
<li>Ranch manager or spray supervisor instructs his/her crew to carry out the spray application according to the PCA’s recommendation.</li>
<li>Spray crew executes the task in the field.</li>
<li>Ranch manager or spray supervisor confirms that the spray application was executed according to the instructions and, where applicable, reports the activity to the regulatory body. 
— Some farms stop here, which might help address this specific pest pressure, but doesn’t assess and treat the broader scope of the threat. A more strategic approach will evaluate this threat alongside other factors on the farm. —</li>
<li>PCA and ranch manager evaluate the short- and long-term treatment options alongside all activities on the farm and plan for further prevention methods. (e.g. biological control methods or cultural controls such as winter sanitation practices in almond orchards).</li>
</ol>
If any one of these steps fails, it can have a critical impact on the health of the trees or vines. With this sequence happening concurrently across a diverse range of pest, weed, and disease pressures throughout the year, it’s easy to see how things might get overlooked, especially in large orchards or vineyards with a lot of area to cover.
One of the common blind spots that farming operations teams have is understanding how well a spray was performed according to the recommendation. Without precise data from the tractors and sprayers, supervisors are forced to just trust that the spray was carried out properly. They have to trust that all of the operators were driving at the correct speed and covering the correct areas within the instructed time frame.
This is where integrated technologies can be a game-changer in connecting the dots across all stages of the pest management cycle. With Fieldin’s Smart Farming Operations Platform, the Scoutin mobile app feeds into work order management, task execution, performance reporting, and insights to guide decision-making.
<div style="border-left: 10px solid #2ab9c3; padding-left: 2%; margin-top: 40px;">
&#8220;We have real-time visibility as far as REI, PHI, and materials used that’s available from our management team all the way down to our field team.”
Logan Henderson
Agronomy &amp; Technical Services Director, Agricare
</div>
<div>
<iframe loading="lazy" title="How AgriCare Uses Fieldin to Optimize Citrus Production" width="500" height="281" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/XXzo0yxwZFk?feature=oembed" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe>
</div>
<h3>A scouting app that works with your workflow, and beyond</h3>
The Scoutin mobile application is available with all Fieldin accounts and provides a complete set of tools to monitor, report, and share crop conditions on the farm. Data entered into the mobile app is automatically synced to Fieldin’s database, making it available for PCAs to view and make decisions around spray applications according to findings in the field.
<div style="border-left: 10px solid #2ab9c3; padding-left: 2%; margin-top: 40px;">
&#8220;The Scoutin app has helped us simplify our PCA’s reporting job. It’s replaced our hand-written notes. If our PCA’s out in the field, I can see immediately what block he’s been in and figure out where he’s heading next. We can see trends that same day rather than waiting for him to come back into the office. Scoutin has made the communication among our team immensely more efficient.”
Mazie Jameson
Agronomy Research Assistant, Agricare
</div>
Scoutin is available for download on both iOS and Android devices. (Note: Access to the app requires a Fieldin account and login.)
<a href="https://apps.apple.com/us/app/scoutin/id1212105883" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="alignnone wp-image-2942" src="https://api.fieldin.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/App-Store-button-300x91.png" alt="Download on the App Store" width="200" height="61" srcset="https://api.fieldin.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/App-Store-button-300x91.png 300w, https://api.fieldin.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/App-Store-button-1024x312.png 1024w, https://api.fieldin.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/App-Store-button-768x234.png 768w, https://api.fieldin.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/App-Store-button-1536x468.png 1536w, https://api.fieldin.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/App-Store-button-2048x623.png 2048w" sizes="(max-width: 200px) 100vw, 200px" /></a>  <a href="https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.scoutin&amp;hl=en_US&amp;gl=US" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="alignnone wp-image-2943" src="https://api.fieldin.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/Google-Play-Store-button-300x91.png" alt="Download on Google Play" width="200" height="61" srcset="https://api.fieldin.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/Google-Play-Store-button-300x91.png 300w, https://api.fieldin.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/Google-Play-Store-button-1024x312.png 1024w, https://api.fieldin.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/Google-Play-Store-button-768x234.png 768w, https://api.fieldin.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/Google-Play-Store-button-1536x468.png 1536w, https://api.fieldin.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/Google-Play-Store-button-2048x623.png 2048w" sizes="(max-width: 200px) 100vw, 200px" /></a>
Some of the key features of the Scoutin app are highlighted below.
<h4>All of your pest reports and notes in one place</h4>
With the Scoutin app, you can record and store all of your pest reports and notes in one place. This offers significant improvement over scattered collections of hand-written notes and photos taken across different mobile devices.
With a user-friendly interface that prompts for important details, the Scoutin app makes it easy for scouts to record their findings, and PCAs have all the essential information at their fingertips, including:
<ul>
<li>Pests/diseases found: Select from a pre-populated list of relevant pests and diseases, or quickly add a new list item.</li>
<li>Date: Automatically defaults to the current date with option to update.</li>
<li>Location: When location services are enabled, the app will automatically detect and record the precise location which allows PCAs to view pest severity levels and distribution by block/geo-location.</li>
<li>Phenological stage of crops: Select the current stage from a pre-populated list, including pre-bloom, bloom, petal fall, fruit development, and fall.</li>
<li>Customizable metrics: Flexible configurations allow for monitoring of pests by different metrics such as percentage, level of severity, numerical quantity, etc.</li>
<li>Trap findings: Record and view full trap attributes, including stats, activity status, and pull dates.</li>
<li>Other important notes from the field: Log other field observations, such as irrigation conditions, hotspots, barked trees, etc.</li>
</ul>
<img decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="alignnone wp-image-2948 size-full" src="https://api.fieldin.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/Scoutin_report-findings.png" alt="Scoutin app report observations" width="1500" height="988" srcset="https://api.fieldin.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/Scoutin_report-findings.png 1500w, https://api.fieldin.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/Scoutin_report-findings-300x198.png 300w, https://api.fieldin.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/Scoutin_report-findings-1024x674.png 1024w, https://api.fieldin.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/Scoutin_report-findings-768x506.png 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" />
<h4>Photos with automatic geo-tagging</h4>
Supporting documentation with live-captured images of observations is critical when providing a well-rounded report. Photos not only provide evidence, but also offer additional context for those who didn’t witness the observation live in the field. Access to historical records of photo documentation can also be helpful for time comparisons when evaluating certain observations from season to season.
The Scoutin app not only allows scouts to capture and attach photos to their notes, but also offers an option to pin the precise geo-tagged location of the observation. This helps PCAs connect data points to gain a holistic understanding of conditions across the orchard or vineyard.
<img decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="alignnone wp-image-2950 size-medium" src="https://api.fieldin.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/Scoutin-add-photo-300x221.png" alt="Scoutin add photo" width="300" height="221" srcset="https://api.fieldin.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/Scoutin-add-photo-300x221.png 300w, https://api.fieldin.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/Scoutin-add-photo.png 554w" sizes="(max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px" />
<h4>Restricted Entry Interval (REI) and Pre-Harvest Interval (PHI) alerts</h4>
Ask any grower, and they’ll agree that worker safety is their number one priority on the farm. When a block is treated with a spray application to treat a particular threat, it’s critical that anyone operating within a certain proximity to the treated area observe proper REIs, the required waiting time to re-enter the area following a pesticide application. Similarly, growers must adhere to PHIs that require waiting a minimum amount of time between the last spray application and when the crop can be harvested.
In addition to required signage in the field, Scoutin helps scouts and other farm workers keep track of when specific blocks have been sprayed and how much time remains before they can enter the block and/or harvest the crop.
<img decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="alignnone wp-image-2954" src="https://api.fieldin.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/Scoutin_REI-1024x658.png" alt="Re-entry Interval tracking" width="650" height="418" srcset="https://api.fieldin.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/Scoutin_REI-1024x658.png 1024w, https://api.fieldin.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/Scoutin_REI-300x193.png 300w, https://api.fieldin.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/Scoutin_REI-768x493.png 768w, https://api.fieldin.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/Scoutin_REI-1536x987.png 1536w, https://api.fieldin.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/Scoutin_REI.png 1961w" sizes="(max-width: 650px) 100vw, 650px" />
<h4>Works in online and offline mode</h4>
Connectivity on farms can be inconsistent, so we’ve designed the Scoutin app to be adaptable to these conditions. By default, data syncs automatically to the Fieldin database using the mobile device’s data services. However, when there is poor network reception, the app will store data locally and automatically sync when internet connectivity becomes available. Additionally, there is an option to enable manual sync settings, which saves usage of mobile data services and allows users to sync the data when they have a wifi connection.
<img decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="alignnone wp-image-2956" src="https://api.fieldin.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/Scoutin_data-sync-274x300.png" alt="Scoutin data sync" width="325" height="356" srcset="https://api.fieldin.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/Scoutin_data-sync-274x300.png 274w, https://api.fieldin.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/Scoutin_data-sync-935x1024.png 935w, https://api.fieldin.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/Scoutin_data-sync-768x841.png 768w, https://api.fieldin.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/Scoutin_data-sync.png 980w" sizes="(max-width: 325px) 100vw, 325px" />
<h4>View and filter your scouting reports in the main Fieldin app</h4>
Viewing aggregated scouting reports within the main Fieldin app enables PCAs and growers to tie spraying activities to reported observations and evaluate the effectiveness of their IPM programs over time. The map view is especially helpful to view pests and other threat distributions across blocks and geo-locations.
<img decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="alignnone wp-image-2959 size-large" src="https://api.fieldin.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/Scoutin-web-app-view_edited-1024x581.png" alt="integrated scouting app" width="1024" height="581" srcset="https://api.fieldin.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/Scoutin-web-app-view_edited-1024x581.png 1024w, https://api.fieldin.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/Scoutin-web-app-view_edited-300x170.png 300w, https://api.fieldin.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/Scoutin-web-app-view_edited-768x436.png 768w, https://api.fieldin.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/Scoutin-web-app-view_edited-1536x871.png 1536w, https://api.fieldin.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/Scoutin-web-app-view_edited-2048x1161.png 2048w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" />
<h4>Daily/Weekly reports</h4>
PCAs and other key stakeholders can subscribe to daily/weekly email reports to receive summarized findings from the prior day or week. This automated report keeps field observations at the forefront of operations and enables quick action where needed. The report includes all scouting reports, notes, and trap findings per block, including any images that were taken.
<img decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="alignnone wp-image-2961" src="https://api.fieldin.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/Scoutin-daily-email-report-300x178.png" alt="daily scouting report" width="800" height="476" srcset="https://api.fieldin.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/Scoutin-daily-email-report-300x178.png 300w, https://api.fieldin.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/Scoutin-daily-email-report-1024x609.png 1024w, https://api.fieldin.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/Scoutin-daily-email-report-768x457.png 768w, https://api.fieldin.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/Scoutin-daily-email-report-1536x913.png 1536w, https://api.fieldin.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/Scoutin-daily-email-report-2048x1218.png 2048w" sizes="(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px" />

Scoutin mobile app connects to Fieldin’s core platform to enable closed loop pest management cycles

Blog - Fieldin

Home

Blog

Fieldin

Uncategorized

Uncategorized Archives - Fieldin

<a href="https://www.zirklefruit.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Zirkle Fruit Company</a> is one of the largest fruit producers in Washington, with orchards, vineyards, and blueberries spanning along the eastern Cascades from the Canadian border to the Oregon stateline.
<img decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="alignnone wp-image-2870 size-large" src="https://api.fieldin.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/IMG_3396_landscape-1024x613.jpg" alt="Clay Divis Zirkle Fruit Company" width="1024" height="613" srcset="https://api.fieldin.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/IMG_3396_landscape-1024x613.jpg 1024w, https://api.fieldin.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/IMG_3396_landscape-300x180.jpg 300w, https://api.fieldin.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/IMG_3396_landscape-768x460.jpg 768w, https://api.fieldin.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/IMG_3396_landscape-1536x919.jpg 1536w, https://api.fieldin.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/IMG_3396_landscape-2048x1226.jpg 2048w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" />
As Ranch Manager at Zirkle’s Jaw Ranch in Okanogan, WA, Clay Divis helps oversee operations across 1,200 acres of apple and cherry orchards. As with any fruit orchard, irrigation is a critical activity, especially in the late spring and summer months to ensure good canopy establishment. Hence, irrigation monitoring is one of Clay’s top priorities.
Having been born and raised on a farm in north central Washington, Clay is no stranger to the nuances of the land in this region. One particular feature that is common with orchards in North Central Washington is inconsistent soils. “One spot will have 6 inches of topsoil and then 4 feet away, it’s sand and gravel. It’s really spotty like that throughout the farm,” describes Clay.
In areas like North Central Washington where soil textures, layers, and depths are inconsistent, frequent monitoring of irrigation operations is even more important to ensure that trees across the diverse terrain are getting the right amount of water throughout the season. Clay’s team is constantly driving up and down the rows of the orchard on four-wheelers looking for things like dry spots, excessive pooling, and broken lines.
In the hot summer months, they also drive the rows to ensure that overhead cooling systems are working in order to prevent sunburn to the fruit. “One plugged emitter out there that nobody sees for a week could damage a couple bins of fruit. So it’s all really important stuff,” says Clay.
<h3>Real-time monitoring and summary reports provide renewed confidence in irrigation monitoring operations</h3>
With orchards spanning over 1,200 acres, it can be tough to stay on top of these activities. Prior to Fieldin, Clay had become accustomed to constantly chasing down operators to make sure every area of the orchard was being covered. “I didn’t know if it was getting done because I would see dry spots out in the orchard, but I didn’t have any data to point to,” says Clay. “So I would just tell our crews to keep on top of it, but I had no way of knowing if it was getting done.”
<img decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="alignnone wp-image-2872" src="https://api.fieldin.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/IMG_9536-225x300.jpg" alt="smart sensor on atv" width="350" height="467" srcset="https://api.fieldin.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/IMG_9536-225x300.jpg 225w, https://api.fieldin.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/IMG_9536-768x1024.jpg 768w, https://api.fieldin.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/IMG_9536-1152x1536.jpg 1152w, https://api.fieldin.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/IMG_9536-1536x2048.jpg 1536w, https://api.fieldin.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/IMG_9536-scaled.jpg 1920w" sizes="(max-width: 350px) 100vw, 350px" />    <img decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="alignnone wp-image-2873" src="https://api.fieldin.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/4wheeler-sensor-225x300.jpg" alt="4 wheeler sensor install" width="350" height="467" srcset="https://api.fieldin.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/4wheeler-sensor-225x300.jpg 225w, https://api.fieldin.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/4wheeler-sensor-768x1024.jpg 768w, https://api.fieldin.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/4wheeler-sensor-1152x1536.jpg 1152w, https://api.fieldin.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/4wheeler-sensor-1536x2048.jpg 1536w, https://api.fieldin.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/4wheeler-sensor-scaled.jpg 1920w" sizes="(max-width: 350px) 100vw, 350px" />
When Zirkle adopted Fieldin, all of the four-wheelers at the ranch were equipped with Fieldin sensors using naming protocols to identify operators in the field. Clay is now able to access all of the transmitted data remotely in real-time, along with post-shift summary reports, to know whether jobs are being completed in the right way. By tracking the location of their machines across the duration of a shift, Clay has a bird’s eye view of blocks that have been covered, where they need to send resources, and how efficiently they’re performing operations.
One of Clay’s favorite features of the Fieldin app is the timeline view that enables him to see patterns throughout the day. “It’s obvious when an operator just pulls up, turns on the valve, and drives off,” says Clay. “To do our jobs effectively, we need to physically inspect the areas where we’re irrigating, and Fieldin gives me the visibility and the confidence to know when things are being done correctly and when they’re not.”
<img decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="alignnone wp-image-2877 size-full" src="https://api.fieldin.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/irrigation-monitoring_timeline_med-res.gif" alt="real time monitoring orchards" width="1920" height="1080" />
&nbsp;
In addition to real-time monitoring, Clay leverages activity summary reports to evaluate and compare efficiencies across their operations. He digs into things like how far machines are traveling between blocks, how long machines are idling, and how many acres each operator is covering in a day. This data allows him to make more informed decisions when planning shifts, while also continuously assessing and improving performance across their operations.

For tree fruit growers, packing houses, and sales desks, the challenge of supplying fresh produce with on-time availability and quality to the consumer market is complex. Throughout the growing season, fruit suppliers are constantly trying to obtain accurate fruit counts and sizes so they can ensure their harvests meet the demands of buyers and maximize profitability.
To help address some of these challenges, Fieldin has partnered with <a href="https://www.fruitspec.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">FruitSpec</a> to provide yield inventory solutions to apple growers in the Pacific Northwest. FruitSpec’s innovative technologies automatically track fruit sizes and quantities throughout the growing season so growers, packing houses and sales desks can better align fruit inventories to meet market demands. The Fruit Size Controller and Yield Inventory Manager solutions offer a new way to tackle some of the complexities of the fruit supply chain.
<h3>Size Controller: Maximize price potential and reduce yield loss</h3>
Size is the most significant contributing factor when it comes to fruit prices. With the Fruit Size Tracker powered by FruitSpec, growers and packing houses can better plan growing and harvesting activities to optimize for target fruit sizes. Keeping a consistent pulse on how fruit sizes are trending throughout the growing season enables all business units to adapt more quickly and avoid costly inconsistencies at the end of the season.
Key Features of the Fruit Size Controller
<ul>
<li>Growth curve: View fruit size growth across the season. Evaluate the effects of irrigation and thinning actions.</li>
<li>Forecast harvest calibers: View the average size prediction for the end of the season.</li>
<li>Current size distribution: See how current measured fruit sizes are distributed across orchards.</li>
<li>Forecast size distribution: View the predicted fruit size distribution across blocks and orchards.</li>
<li>Block map and variety views: Monitor fruit sizes by farm, block or variety.</li>
</ul>
<iframe loading="lazy" title="FruitSpec Caliper -Control fruit size" width="500" height="281" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/VBUklxsS9B8?feature=oembed" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe>
<h3>Yield Inventory: Optimize farm-to-market planning and profitability</h3>
The Yield Inventory Manager tools powered by FruitSpec enable planning and optimization across every aspect of your business, from growing, through picking and packing, to market. The fruit counter sensor surfaces critical inventory information for data-driven decisions.
Key Features of the Yield Inventory Manager
<ul>
<li>Yield inventory: View inventory by fruit type.</li>
<li>Size distribution: Forecast predicted fruit size distribution at harvest time by number or percentage of cartons.</li>
<li>Yield data: View total yield in weight, cartons, and bins</li>
<li>Sales planning: View available cartons for sale according to picking dates.</li>
</ul>
<img decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="alignnone wp-image-2886 size-large" src="https://api.fieldin.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/image001-1024x624.png" alt="FruitSpec Yield Inventory Manager" width="1024" height="624" srcset="https://api.fieldin.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/image001-1024x624.png 1024w, https://api.fieldin.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/image001-300x183.png 300w, https://api.fieldin.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/image001-768x468.png 768w, https://api.fieldin.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/image001-1536x937.png 1536w, https://api.fieldin.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/image001-2048x1249.png 2048w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" />
<h3>Breaking down silos and streamlining information flow across business units</h3>
The yield inventory solutions powered by FruitSpec help break down silos of yield information and streamline the flow between historically disconnected departments in the fruit supply chain. The benefits span across business units, including:
Growers:
<ul>
<li>Track growth progress</li>
<li>Control fruit size to market demands</li>
<li>Optimize harvest timing</li>
</ul>
Packing Houses:
<ul>
<li>Track unit inventory</li>
<li>Stay ahead of logistics and resource planning</li>
</ul>
Sales Desk:
<ul>
<li>Plan seasonal sales</li>
<li>Close deals ahead of competitors</li>
</ul>
With more accurate information flowing more smoothly across the fruit supply chain, we’re excited to see apple growers and packing houses in the Pacific Northwest leveraging new technologies to maximize profitability and reduce yield loss.

Fieldin partners with FruitSpec to provide yield inventory technology to apple growers in the Pacific Northwest

Fieldin enables Zirkle Fruit Company to stay on top of irrigation monitoring to ensure that trees are getting the right amount of water throughout the season.

Zirkle Fruit Company leverages Fieldin to gain more visibility over critical irrigation monitoring activities - Fieldin

Zirkle Fruit Company leverages Fieldin to gain more visibility over critical irrigation monitoring activities

https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/7aacfeed8b1a5b7b8399827cc75d2b8c?s=96&d=mm&r=g

Molly Wojcik

Advancements in farming equipment over the past century have positioned tractors and other specialized machinery at the center of modern farming operations. Equipment investments are among the most expensive that growers make, and for good reason. They rely on these machines to produce faster, more efficient, and more accurate results that lead to robust yields.
Protecting these capital investments requires constant attention to maintenance schedules that keep machines running at peak performance and minimize downtime. However, managing maintenance schedules and services across large fleets of tractors, implements, trucks and ATVs can be challenging. Once you get beyond a dozen or so machines in your fleet, paperwork and spreadsheets no longer cut it.
We recently rolled out Fieldin’s new Fleet Maintenance Module to help address some of the challenges that growers and equipment managers face when it comes to caring for their fleets.
<img decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="alignnone wp-image-2501 size-large" src="https://api.fieldin.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/laptop-mobile-mockup_maintenance-module-1024x729.png" alt="fleet maintenance management software" width="1024" height="729" srcset="https://api.fieldin.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/laptop-mobile-mockup_maintenance-module-1024x729.png 1024w, https://api.fieldin.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/laptop-mobile-mockup_maintenance-module-300x214.png 300w, https://api.fieldin.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/laptop-mobile-mockup_maintenance-module-768x547.png 768w, https://api.fieldin.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/laptop-mobile-mockup_maintenance-module-1536x1094.png 1536w, https://api.fieldin.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/laptop-mobile-mockup_maintenance-module-2048x1459.png 2048w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" />
<h3>Benefits of automated fleet maintenance management</h3>
Simplify and eliminate gaps and errors in your equipment service records 
Whether you handle equipment maintenance in-house or leverage outsourced mechanics, keeping track of service records across a large fleet of machinery can be overwhelming. Automated fleet management removes unnecessary paperwork and spreadsheets and provides equipment managers with digital records of each piece of equipment. All of these details are rolled up into a centralized dashboard for total visibility of upcoming (and overdue) maintenance and service history across the fleet.
Go from reactive to proactive with your fleet maintenance 
Unexpected downtime with equipment that is vital to activities, such as spraying and harvesting, can cripple your operations and impact yields. With automated fleet management, you can stay ahead of manufacturer-recommended services based on usage and be better prepared to avoid surprises. You can also plan service schedules in advance to ensure the right equipment is available and healthy to perform the tasks at hand.
Keep your team safe and increase protection against liability 
Ensuring the safety of the people operating your equipment is the most important factor when it comes to keeping equipment in working order. With detailed records of service history, engine hours, and more, operations and equipment managers can have confidence sending their machines and teams into the field. If an issue does occur, they can lean on digital records to accompany their assessment and remedy of the situation.
Protect your CapEx investments and make informed decisions around equipment lifecycle 
Every piece of equipment has its own life expectancy depending on the level of wear and tear it experiences and how well it is cared for. Hence, keeping on top of service schedules and immediately addressing unexpected repairs is a critical activity to extract the maximum value out of your equipment investments across your fleet. With detailed equipment records at your fingertips, you can also better plan for retiring assets and investing in new equipment.
Increase machine utilization to reduce overall machine costs per engine hour 
At a more strategic level, pairing machine data alongside operational data allows you to connect the dots between machine utilization and CapEx investments. When proper maintenance schedules are followed, you’re able to extend the life of your machines and reduce the overall machine costs per engine hour (as broken down in the example below). While you may spend more on regular maintenance across the life of the machine, you’ll avoid the major, unplanned repairs that are particularly costly. At the same time, getting more utilization out of each machine can potentially enable fleet reduction, lowering total CapEx.
<img decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="alignnone wp-image-2514" src="https://api.fieldin.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/tractor-maintenance-cost-table-300x257.png" alt="farm tractor maintenance costs" width="800" height="686" srcset="https://api.fieldin.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/tractor-maintenance-cost-table-300x257.png 300w, https://api.fieldin.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/tractor-maintenance-cost-table-1024x879.png 1024w, https://api.fieldin.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/tractor-maintenance-cost-table-768x659.png 768w, https://api.fieldin.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/tractor-maintenance-cost-table.png 1240w" sizes="(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px" /> 
Estimated maintenance costs based on study from lowa State University: <a href="https://www.extension.iastate.edu/agdm/crops/html/a3-29.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Estimating Farm Machinery Costs</a>
More accurately track your sustainability initiatives 
While tractors and other machinery are an essential part of modern agriculture, offsetting the carbon footprint of these machines is critical to ensuring the future sustainability of earth’s resources. Machine engine hours directly correlate to Scope 1 greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, and by automatically tracking engine hours across the fleet, growers are able to calculate, benchmark, and take action to improve operational efficiencies that reduce machine emissions.
<h3>Key Features of Fieldin’s Fleet Maintenance Module</h3>
Automatically track engine hours across your fleet 
Tracking down engine hours of machines in the field often involves physically sending a person to get eyes on the machine readings. With equipment often spread across distant fields, this can become a time-consuming endeavor. With Fieldin’s smart sensors installed on your machines and implements, engine and working hour logs are always up-to-date and accessible, no matter where the machine is.
View all of your equipment &#8211; any machine, make, or model, including implements &#8211; in a centralized dashboard 
The Fleet Maintenance Module digitizes your equipment’s maintenance records and compiles them into a single view. With visibility across your entire fleet &#8211; tractors, trucks, ATVs, mowers, backhoes, sprayers, etc &#8211; you no longer need to go digging through file cabinets to track down service records.
<img decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="alignnone wp-image-2519 size-large" src="https://api.fieldin.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/maintenance-module_all-machines_web-app-1024x513.png" alt="farm equipment management software" width="1024" height="513" srcset="https://api.fieldin.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/maintenance-module_all-machines_web-app-1024x513.png 1024w, https://api.fieldin.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/maintenance-module_all-machines_web-app-300x150.png 300w, https://api.fieldin.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/maintenance-module_all-machines_web-app-768x385.png 768w, https://api.fieldin.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/maintenance-module_all-machines_web-app-1536x769.png 1536w, https://api.fieldin.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/maintenance-module_all-machines_web-app-2048x1025.png 2048w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" />
You can also drill down into each piece of equipment to access detailed service history and upcoming maintenance schedules.
<img decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="aligncenter wp-image-2523 size-large" src="https://api.fieldin.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/maintenance-module_machine-summary_web-app-1024x583.png" alt="fleet maintenance module machine card " width="1024" height="583" srcset="https://api.fieldin.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/maintenance-module_machine-summary_web-app-1024x583.png 1024w, https://api.fieldin.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/maintenance-module_machine-summary_web-app-300x171.png 300w, https://api.fieldin.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/maintenance-module_machine-summary_web-app-768x437.png 768w, https://api.fieldin.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/maintenance-module_machine-summary_web-app-1536x874.png 1536w, https://api.fieldin.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/maintenance-module_machine-summary_web-app-2048x1166.png 2048w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" />
Customize service events 
Every business has unique requirements when it comes to planning and record-keeping. When building and testing the Fleet Maintenance Module alongside a handful of customers, we understood early on the importance for this solution to be adaptable to diverse processes.
Customizable service events at the machine level help equipment managers track and manage the things they need without boxing them into a pre-defined set of services. Any service, planned or unplanned, can be tracked on any machine.
<img decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="alignnone wp-image-2526" src="https://api.fieldin.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/maintenance-module_custom-defined-service-300x275.png" alt="fleet maintenance module customize service events" width="400" height="367" srcset="https://api.fieldin.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/maintenance-module_custom-defined-service-300x275.png 300w, https://api.fieldin.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/maintenance-module_custom-defined-service-1024x940.png 1024w, https://api.fieldin.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/maintenance-module_custom-defined-service-768x705.png 768w, https://api.fieldin.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/maintenance-module_custom-defined-service.png 1192w" sizes="(max-width: 400px) 100vw, 400px" />
Mobile app with automated alerts via push notifications 
Sending important reminders and alerts to the right people at the right time is a critical function of fleet maintenance. With Fieldin’s mobile app, you can enable automated alerts via push notifications to kick start the right follow-up actions.
<img decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="alignnone wp-image-2528" src="https://api.fieldin.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Maintenance-Module_mobile_push-notification_top-screen-171x300.png" alt="tractor service push notification" width="350" height="614" srcset="https://api.fieldin.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Maintenance-Module_mobile_push-notification_top-screen-171x300.png 171w, https://api.fieldin.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Maintenance-Module_mobile_push-notification_top-screen-584x1024.png 584w, https://api.fieldin.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Maintenance-Module_mobile_push-notification_top-screen-768x1347.png 768w, https://api.fieldin.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Maintenance-Module_mobile_push-notification_top-screen-876x1536.png 876w, https://api.fieldin.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Maintenance-Module_mobile_push-notification_top-screen-1168x2048.png 1168w, https://api.fieldin.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Maintenance-Module_mobile_push-notification_top-screen.png 1216w" sizes="(max-width: 350px) 100vw, 350px" /> <img decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="alignnone wp-image-2529" src="https://api.fieldin.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Maintenance-Module_mobile_machine-view_T03-171x300.png" alt="farm fleet maintenance mobile app" width="350" height="614" srcset="https://api.fieldin.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Maintenance-Module_mobile_machine-view_T03-171x300.png 171w, https://api.fieldin.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Maintenance-Module_mobile_machine-view_T03-584x1024.png 584w, https://api.fieldin.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Maintenance-Module_mobile_machine-view_T03-768x1347.png 768w, https://api.fieldin.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Maintenance-Module_mobile_machine-view_T03-876x1536.png 876w, https://api.fieldin.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Maintenance-Module_mobile_machine-view_T03-1168x2048.png 1168w, https://api.fieldin.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Maintenance-Module_mobile_machine-view_T03.png 1216w" sizes="(max-width: 350px) 100vw, 350px" />
Works with your existing Fieldin equipment and data 
With Fieldin’s built-in Fleet Maintenance Module, there’s no need to have a separate fleet maintenance management solution. Best of all, all equipment maintenance intervals (based on engine hours) are automatically tracked using the same Fieldin sensors that collect and report your field operations data. With all of your data under one roof, you can start to draw deeper insights around things like workload by activity type for each machine getting serviced, drivers who have been operating the machines, and impact of terrain on machine wear-and-tear.

New Fleet Maintenance Module automates engine hour tracking and service management to optimize fleet health

FruitSpec’s innovative technologies automatically track fruit sizes and quantities throughout the growing season so growers, packing houses and sales desks can better align fruit inventories to meet market demands.

Fieldin partners with FruitSpec to provide yield inventory technology to apple growers in the Pacific Northwest - Fieldin

<a href="https://www.columbiafarmservices.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Columbia Farm Services</a> (CFS) is one of the largest and most comprehensive farm management companies in the Pacific Northwest, managing over 4,200 acres of tree fruit across owned and contracted properties. Their consulting and farm management services help growers modernize and optimize operations and management of their farms to maximize profitability and sustainability.
<div id="attachment_2394" style="width: 1034px" class="wp-caption alignnone"><img aria-describedby="caption-attachment-2394" decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="wp-image-2394 size-large" src="https://api.fieldin.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/CFS-Quincy-orchard_March-1024x508.png" alt="CFS Quincy orchard" width="1024" height="508" srcset="https://api.fieldin.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/CFS-Quincy-orchard_March-1024x508.png 1024w, https://api.fieldin.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/CFS-Quincy-orchard_March-300x149.png 300w, https://api.fieldin.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/CFS-Quincy-orchard_March-768x381.png 768w, https://api.fieldin.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/CFS-Quincy-orchard_March-1536x762.png 1536w, https://api.fieldin.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/CFS-Quincy-orchard_March-2048x1016.png 2048w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /> Columbia Farm Services Quincy orchard in late March</div>
Last year, CFS deployed Fieldin on 300 acres of apple and cherry orchards in Quincy, Washington, and after a successful first year, they are expanding their total Fieldin deployment to 4,200 acres of apples and cherries. With the tools and insights that Fieldin is providing, they’ve gained greater visibility over their operations, allowing them to benchmark and improve operational efficiencies, introduce more sustainable practices, and use data to guide their planning and budgeting decisions.
<div style="border-left: 10px solid #2ab9c3; padding-left: 2%; margin-top: 40px;">
&#8220;Fieldin is essential for daily planning of our operations. With the data provided, I know exactly how many people and machines to send into the orchard so we are maximizing our resources.”
Luis Diaz
Operations Manager, Columbia Farm Services
</div>
<h3>A bird’s eye view of orchard operations replaces time spent driving around</h3>
Luis Diaz is an Operations Manager at CFS’s Quincy ranch where he helps oversee planning and execution of mechanized activities in the orchards (e.g. mowing, spraying, weeding, weed spraying). In his role, Luis is often challenged with putting together logistical puzzles in order to keep up with the time-sensitive needs of the orchards. On a daily basis, he is tasked with ensuring that they have the right machines and people in the right place at the right time. Beyond just getting the jobs done, Luis is focused on maximizing the productivity and efficiency of their resources.
When Luis was introduced to Fieldin, he instantly saw the value that the smart farming operations solution could provide for their team. “Before Fieldin, I was constantly driving around the orchards to see where people were and what they were doing,” says Luis. “With Fieldin, I can see what everyone is doing right from my phone and know right away when something needs attention.”
Some of the specific real-time data points that Luis keeps tabs on are:
<ul>
<li>Activity by block</li>
<li>Speeds (especially in spraying where staying within recommended speeds is critical to the operation)</li>
<li>Operator efficiency (uptime/downtime per operator using Fieldin’s driver keys)</li>
<li>Time spent on a block</li>
<li>Time spent refilling (read more in our previous article <a style="text-decoration: underline;" href="https://fieldin.com/blog/refill-monitoring-saves-growers-time-money-spray-operations/">Refilling Sprayers &#8211; The unspoken inefficiencies in your operations</a>)</li>
</ul>
<img decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="alignnone wp-image-2403 size-large" src="https://api.fieldin.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/cfs-quincy-dashboard-view-1024x547.png" alt="CFS Fieldin dashboard" width="1024" height="547" srcset="https://api.fieldin.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/cfs-quincy-dashboard-view-1024x547.png 1024w, https://api.fieldin.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/cfs-quincy-dashboard-view-300x160.png 300w, https://api.fieldin.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/cfs-quincy-dashboard-view-768x410.png 768w, https://api.fieldin.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/cfs-quincy-dashboard-view-1536x820.png 1536w, https://api.fieldin.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/cfs-quincy-dashboard-view-2048x1094.png 2048w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" />
CFS uses Fieldin’s driver keys to connect operators with activities being performed. With increased accountability, they’ve been able to identify training opportunities to help increase efficiency across their entire crew. They’ve also been able to correlate an increase in efficiency when operators scan in with the driver keys. They saw an average work efficiency increase of 26% when operators scanned in versus when they did not.
<img decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="alignnone wp-image-2410" src="https://api.fieldin.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/scan-vs-noscan-chart-1024x640.png" alt="scan vs no-scan efficiency" width="600" height="375" srcset="https://api.fieldin.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/scan-vs-noscan-chart-1024x640.png 1024w, https://api.fieldin.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/scan-vs-noscan-chart-300x188.png 300w, https://api.fieldin.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/scan-vs-noscan-chart-768x480.png 768w, https://api.fieldin.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/scan-vs-noscan-chart-1536x960.png 1536w, https://api.fieldin.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/scan-vs-noscan-chart.png 1724w" sizes="(max-width: 600px) 100vw, 600px" />
An accompanying benefit of the solution that CFS has realized is the fuel savings and reduced engine hours on their trucks and ATVs as a result of not having to drive as much to oversee operations in the field.
<h3>CFS Quincy improves consistency, staying within 10% of target speeds, as a result of real-time monitoring</h3>
Once the CFS team gained visibility into machine speeds across their activities, they saw that there were significant deviations from the target speeds. In spraying, this is particularly problematic. In order for the spray to be effective, it requires adequate coverage of materials, and this directly depends on adhering to the speed defined in the spray recommendation. By spraying at too low of a speed, which was happening regularly (as shown in the graph below), they were applying too much chemical, resulting in material waste and potential damage to the crop.
After identifying the speed variance issues, they were able to implement improvements that have enabled them to remain within 10% of their speed targets.
<img decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="alignnone wp-image-2416" src="https://api.fieldin.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/deviation-from-speed-target_chart-300x128.png" alt="speed variation in spraying operations" width="800" height="342" srcset="https://api.fieldin.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/deviation-from-speed-target_chart-300x128.png 300w, https://api.fieldin.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/deviation-from-speed-target_chart-1024x437.png 1024w, https://api.fieldin.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/deviation-from-speed-target_chart-768x328.png 768w, https://api.fieldin.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/deviation-from-speed-target_chart-1536x656.png 1536w, https://api.fieldin.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/deviation-from-speed-target_chart.png 1766w" sizes="(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px" />
<h3>Taking the guesswork out of operational planning</h3>
Today, Luis and his team rely on the data that Fieldin provides to organize their operational planning. Luis says that he used to lean on his intuition and experience to determine how many machines to send, but now with Fieldin, he can see exactly how many people and machines are needed to complete the job in the time frame allotted. “I used to say, ok, I need 3 sprayers. But the ranch needs to be sprayed in 8 hours, and I know it takes more than 8 hours with 3 sprayers. With Fieldin, I don’t have to guess anymore,” says Luis.
In addition to daily and weekly planning, the CFS team looks at summary reports to get a more holistic view of where their time is being spent, what they’re costs are, and where they have opportunities to improve. They also rely on this data to inform their budget planning for the coming season, guide rate schedules for their services, and evaluate taking on new contracts.
<img decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="alignnone wp-image-2420" src="https://api.fieldin.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/activity-breakdown_graph-300x187.png" alt="orchard activity breakdown" width="600" height="375" srcset="https://api.fieldin.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/activity-breakdown_graph-300x187.png 300w, https://api.fieldin.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/activity-breakdown_graph-1024x640.png 1024w, https://api.fieldin.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/activity-breakdown_graph-768x480.png 768w, https://api.fieldin.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/activity-breakdown_graph-1536x960.png 1536w, https://api.fieldin.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/activity-breakdown_graph.png 1716w" sizes="(max-width: 600px) 100vw, 600px" />     <img decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="alignnone wp-image-2422" src="https://api.fieldin.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/activity-breakdown-stats-300x167.png" alt="orchard activity stats" width="400" height="223" srcset="https://api.fieldin.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/activity-breakdown-stats-300x167.png 300w, https://api.fieldin.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/activity-breakdown-stats-768x427.png 768w, https://api.fieldin.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/activity-breakdown-stats.png 816w" sizes="(max-width: 400px) 100vw, 400px" />
At a higher level, the CFS team is leveraging this data to inform their equipment investment decisions. In planning for the season, Luis’ manager will ask him, for example, if 5 sprayers are enough or if they need to invest in more. “I have all of the information I need to give him an accurate answer,” says Luis.
In our conversation with Luis, he was quick to point out the value that Fieldin’s Grower Success team has delivered alongside the technology, from support and training to strategic planning. “You guys have a great team. They go above and beyond to actively contribute to our success,” says Luis
<h3>Growing and innovating with Fieldin</h3>
As CFS expands deployment of Fieldin across more of their orchards in the Pacific Northwest this year, they will be looking to gain an even more holistic view of operations across their orchards. With cross-orchard data, they can now connect and compare operations to continuously improve efficiency, accuracy, and accountability across ranches.
<img decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="alignnone wp-image-2427" src="https://api.fieldin.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/IMG_8744-225x300.jpg" alt="cfs tractor" width="275" height="367" srcset="https://api.fieldin.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/IMG_8744-225x300.jpg 225w, https://api.fieldin.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/IMG_8744-768x1024.jpg 768w, https://api.fieldin.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/IMG_8744-1152x1536.jpg 1152w, https://api.fieldin.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/IMG_8744-1536x2048.jpg 1536w, https://api.fieldin.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/IMG_8744-scaled.jpg 1920w" sizes="(max-width: 275px) 100vw, 275px" />  <img decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="alignnone wp-image-2428" src="https://api.fieldin.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/IMG_8749-225x300.jpg" alt="cfs tractor" width="275" height="367" srcset="https://api.fieldin.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/IMG_8749-225x300.jpg 225w, https://api.fieldin.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/IMG_8749-768x1024.jpg 768w, https://api.fieldin.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/IMG_8749-1152x1536.jpg 1152w, https://api.fieldin.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/IMG_8749-1536x2048.jpg 1536w, https://api.fieldin.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/IMG_8749-scaled.jpg 1920w" sizes="(max-width: 275px) 100vw, 275px" />  <img decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="alignnone wp-image-2429" src="https://api.fieldin.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/IMG_8379-225x300.jpg" alt="Fieldin sensor on apple platform" width="275" height="367" srcset="https://api.fieldin.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/IMG_8379-225x300.jpg 225w, https://api.fieldin.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/IMG_8379-768x1024.jpg 768w, https://api.fieldin.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/IMG_8379-1152x1536.jpg 1152w, https://api.fieldin.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/IMG_8379-1536x2048.jpg 1536w, https://api.fieldin.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/IMG_8379-scaled.jpg 1920w" sizes="(max-width: 275px) 100vw, 275px" />
The CFS team will also be rolling out Fieldin’s new Fleet Maintenance Module to help keep their equipment running at peak performance and to minimize machine downtime. They’re looking forward to transitioning from their pen-and-paper processes to a more streamlined system that eliminates gaps in their service scheduling and record-keeping.
“Some people are hesitant to adopt technology,” says Luis. “I believe in the power of technology to improve the way you do things.”

Columbia Farm Services improves PNW orchard operations with Fieldin

Fieldin’s Fleet Maintenance Module helps keep farm equipment running at peak performance, minimizes machine downtime, and optimizes service scheduling.

New Fleet Maintenance Module automates engine hour tracking and service management to optimize fleet health - Fieldin

As a vineyard management company, Viticultural Management, Inc. (VMI)’s business is based on operational efficiency. Their success relies on how efficiently they’re able to utilize their equipment and labor resources to complete jobs across their owned and managed properties. Speed is important, but ensuring that jobs are completed to quality standards is equally important.
When Carter Collins, General Manager at VMI, began evaluating Fieldin last year, he was looking for a solution to help their business keep pace with changing labor laws while allowing them to be more strategic with their fleet and crews. “Going from 60-hour work weeks to 40-hour work weeks over the past several years has forced us to be much more cognizant of shift times and efficiency within shifts,” says Carter.
<img decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="alignnone wp-image-2180 size-large" src="https://api.fieldin.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/carter-collins-vmi-fieldin-1-1024x683.jpg" alt="carter collins vmi" width="1024" height="683" srcset="https://api.fieldin.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/carter-collins-vmi-fieldin-1-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https://api.fieldin.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/carter-collins-vmi-fieldin-1-300x200.jpg 300w, https://api.fieldin.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/carter-collins-vmi-fieldin-1-768x512.jpg 768w, https://api.fieldin.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/carter-collins-vmi-fieldin-1-1536x1025.jpg 1536w, https://api.fieldin.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/carter-collins-vmi-fieldin-1.jpg 2048w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" />
<div style="border-left: 10px solid #2ab9c3; padding-left: 2%; margin-top: 40px;">
&#8220;I can’t be everywhere at once and neither can our supervisors. We knew we could do better but before Fieldin, we didn’t have the information to tell us how.”
Carter Collins
General Manager, VMI
</div>
<h3>Adjusting rate schedules based on Fieldin efficiency data has resulted in significant cost savings</h3>
Prior to Fieldin, VMI’s rate schedules were based on a best guess of what they believed to be true from a combination of pen-and-paper reporting and talking with supervisors. They had a general idea of the amount of equipment being used to cover a particular area, but they had no way of accounting for wildcards such as breakdowns or crew members not showing up for work.
With the granular data that Fieldin has provided into their operations, Carter and his team are now able to see a complete picture of how their operational efficiencies vary across properties. After collecting data over an entire season, they discovered that they had been underestimating their efficiency metrics in certain areas. Following this discovery, they calibrated their rate schedules, which in turn allowed them to reduce their operating budget on their owned properties, while also passing along cost savings to their customers to deepen trust and brand loyalty.
<h3>Training opportunities enable operators to cover a full extra day’s worth of work in a week</h3>
One of the first areas where Fieldin data was able to deliver immediate value for VMI was in comparing efficiencies across operators and identifying areas for improvement. Carter and his team of supervisors rely heavily on Fieldin’s shift data and efficiency metrics to understand the activity breakdown of area covered by their crew in a workday.
Fungicide spray season is one of the busiest times of year for Carter and his crew. They must stick to tight schedules in order to get through all of their properties and cycle back for the next spray.
Last summer, when evaluating one of their spray shifts, they noticed a discrepancy between two operators. The target speed for this particular application was 3.5mph. One of the operators was sticking close to this target with an average of 3.42mph, but the other was lagging behind at 3.22mph. What may seem like a slight difference actually added up to a difference of 3.2 acres/shift and 16 acres/week, a full extra day’s worth of work in a week.
<img decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="alignnone wp-image-2199 size-large" src="https://api.fieldin.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/NEW_Spray-Shift-Efficiency-Comparison-Web-App-1024x464.png" alt="vmi vineyard spray efficiency" width="1024" height="464" srcset="https://api.fieldin.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/NEW_Spray-Shift-Efficiency-Comparison-Web-App-1024x464.png 1024w, https://api.fieldin.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/NEW_Spray-Shift-Efficiency-Comparison-Web-App-300x136.png 300w, https://api.fieldin.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/NEW_Spray-Shift-Efficiency-Comparison-Web-App-768x348.png 768w, https://api.fieldin.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/NEW_Spray-Shift-Efficiency-Comparison-Web-App-1536x696.png 1536w, https://api.fieldin.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/NEW_Spray-Shift-Efficiency-Comparison-Web-App.png 1910w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" />
On top of the productivity gap that they identified, and perhaps more importantly, they were concerned about the quality of the spray application. The slower speed meant that they were over-applying chemicals, resulting in excess material costs and potential damage to the vines. According to Carter, “Some tractor operators aren’t as comfortable driving through the vineyard rows and that’s fine, but we need to know so that we can adjust the sprayer to the appropriate application rate to apply the right amount of chemicals.”
Similarly, during harvest, they identified an operator who was picking 3-7 more acres per shift than the rest of the crew. Upon further evaluation, they learned that this operator was using a more efficient style of turning at the ends of rows that enabled the gondolas to stay in sync with the harvesters. They were able to use this as a training opportunity for the rest of the crews, which allowed them to cover more acres, faster. In a low-crop year like last year, where they were having to pick 7-9 acres for a single truckload (compared to ~5 acres in a higher crop year), these efficiency gains were critical to keep up with demand.
<h3>Leveraging historical data to strategically plan for the upcoming season</h3>
Heading into the coming season, the VMI team is leveraging a year’s worth of data on the Fieldin platform to be more strategic in their planning. In fact, Carter used the winter herbicide application as a test program to inform the upcoming fungicide spraying season. They know they need to get through all of their ranches as quickly as possible, but with ranches ranging from 10 acres to 500 acres, they need to be calculated in their approach.
<div style="border-left: 10px solid #2ab9c3; padding-left: 2%; margin: 40px 0 40px 0;">
“Keeping our equipment in an optimized rotation to serve all of the vineyard’s needs in a timely manner is always top-of-mind for me. Fieldin gives me the data I need to plan the best utilization of my equipment and complete properties as fast as possible.”
Carter Collins
General Manager, VMI
</div>
When designing the test program, they first looked back at their data over the past year and identified that they can cover 12-15 acres per day with each sprayer. They then looked at how many sprayers they have in their fleet. The first ranch they started with is a 65-acre ranch, and they quickly realized that 6-7 sprayers was too much equipment for a ranch of that size. Instead, they decided that it was better to use a 4-person crew and extend the job over 2 days. This way, they could leave some equipment behind on the second day while they mobilized the rest of the equipment to start on another job. By the time the crew finished and got to the larger vineyard, they already had 6-7 sprayers going and they were able to complete a 150-180 property in 2-3 days.
“To conduct a test like this without Fieldin would have been a total guess. Using our historical data as a starting point, we’ve been able to guide our planning and decision making in the field,” says Carter.
Prior to Fieldin, they had equipment spread out all over, but heading into this season, they’ve put in the effort to carefully plan for optimal utilization of their equipment and team. Carter hopes to learn a few things in carrying out this season’s planning, including:
<ul class="vmi-blog-post-ul" style="margin-left: 40px;">
<li>Do we have the right amount of tractor drivers?</li>
<li>How many tractor drivers does it take to complete all of our properties and how many extras does that leave us to perform other jobs on the vineyard?</li>
<li>How do we plan for and time all of the other jobs that need to get done during spray season (e.g. leafing, mowing, under-vine cultivation, etc.)?</li>
</ul>
Looking ahead, the VMI team also intends to use their Fieldin data to inform their equipment purchase decisions. If they see, for example, that they have two tractors that sat for the majority of the season, maybe they can remove that capex expense from their balance sheet. On the flip side, they might learn that they’re struggling to keep up with mowing jobs and that they need to invest in more mowers. With data supporting these decisions, they can feel more confident in their planning and investments.
<style>@media (max-width:800px){.vmi-blog-post-ul{margin-left:0!important}}</style>

VMI improves vineyard efficiencies with Fieldin data, achieving significant cost & time savings

With the tools and insights that Fieldin is providing, CFS has gained greater visibility and control over their operations.

Columbia Farm Services improves PNW orchard operations with Fieldin - Fieldin

With new overtime laws in California and Washington and sky rocketing fuel prices, growers need to optimize their 9-hour spraying shifts to cover as many acres as possible without sacrificing the spray quality. With this notion in mind, there are a few areas of spraying shifts that can be optimized. Refilling is a major one as Fieldin found after evaluating data across more than 300,000 spraying shifts.
When crews are waiting their turn at refill stations or nurse trucks, driving longer distances than necessary, using refills as an excuse for extra break time, or refilling with low pressure, all of this time adds up &#8211; time that could be spent covering significantly more acres per shift (up to 25% in many cases).
At Fieldin, we’ve found that refill inefficiencies occur in nearly 95% of spraying shifts.
<h3>Saving $150/acre by changing behavior</h3>
Take, for example, an orchard or vineyard with several fixed refill stations spaced around the blocks (see below image). All of the tractors have been driving to the Sherwood Water Point to refill their tanks. This water point has low pressure and it takes 12 minutes to refill a 600 gallon tank. However, there is an additional station in the northeast that appears to go unused, and this one is refilling a 600 gallon tank in 9 minutes. Re-routing tractors to the higher pressure refill station, which also happens to be closer in proximity for several of the tractors, could shave off significant time and mileage, while also reducing potential wait times at refill stations during shifts.
<img decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="alignnone wp-image-2050 size-large" src="https://api.fieldin.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/water-refill-stations-block-view-1024x565.png" alt="" width="1024" height="565" srcset="https://api.fieldin.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/water-refill-stations-block-view-1024x565.png 1024w, https://api.fieldin.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/water-refill-stations-block-view-300x165.png 300w, https://api.fieldin.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/water-refill-stations-block-view-768x423.png 768w, https://api.fieldin.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/water-refill-stations-block-view-1536x847.png 1536w, https://api.fieldin.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/water-refill-stations-block-view-2048x1129.png 2048w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" />
When you add all similar block inefficiencies over an entire season of 8-30 spray cycles, this time really adds up. In this example, apple growers with 25 spray cycles per acre per year and almonds growers with 8 spray cycles will pay an extra $30-$120/acre on this inefficiency alone, which can be optimized by changing behavior.
The graphic below illustrates how small improvements across refill and driving times can add up to significant bottom line savings for growers. In this specific example, shaving 3 minutes off of refill times and 3 minutes off of drive time to/from refills results in savings of $224,320 across the year ($150/acre).
<img decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="alignnone wp-image-2075 size-full" src="https://api.fieldin.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/Blog-Refill-Monitoring-ROI-Infographic.png" alt="refill efficiency roi infographic" width="800" height="1300" srcset="https://api.fieldin.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/Blog-Refill-Monitoring-ROI-Infographic.png 800w, https://api.fieldin.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/Blog-Refill-Monitoring-ROI-Infographic-185x300.png 185w, https://api.fieldin.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/Blog-Refill-Monitoring-ROI-Infographic-630x1024.png 630w, https://api.fieldin.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/Blog-Refill-Monitoring-ROI-Infographic-768x1248.png 768w" sizes="(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px" />
<h3>Tracking refill activities to close gaps and get more strategic in field operations planning</h3>
Fieldin helps growers remove blind spots around refill activities so they can reduce unnecessary costs associated with inefficiencies. In the Fieldin app, users can see all of their refill stations as a separate layer in the map view (denoted by <a href="https://api.fieldin.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/marker-water-point-1.svg"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="alignnone wp-image-2048" src="https://api.fieldin.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/marker-water-point-1.svg" alt="refill station icon" width="22" height="26" /></a> icon), enabling full visibility into refill activities within shifts.
<img decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="alignnone wp-image-2052" src="https://api.fieldin.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/refill-station-layer-map-view-1024x659.png" alt="refill station layer map view" width="550" height="354" srcset="https://api.fieldin.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/refill-station-layer-map-view-1024x659.png 1024w, https://api.fieldin.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/refill-station-layer-map-view-300x193.png 300w, https://api.fieldin.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/refill-station-layer-map-view-768x494.png 768w, https://api.fieldin.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/refill-station-layer-map-view.png 1408w" sizes="(max-width: 550px) 100vw, 550px" />
With this data, supervisors and ranch managers can detect and measure potential inefficiencies related to:
<ul>
<li>Average refill times at the operator level</li>
<li>Acres per hour and shift efficiency, relative to refill times</li>
<li>Distance to refill stations</li>
<li>Average time spent at water points</li>
</ul>
Fieldin’s team of Grower Success Managers partner closely with customers to identify opportunities for improvement across their operations with regular reviews of key activities, including refills. By helping growers maximize their use of fill stations to improve efficiencies, they are able to lower their total cost per acre.
Once inefficiencies are identified, steps can be taken to make improvements that directly boost the bottom line. We’ve seen Fieldin customers drive efficiency improvements through activities such as staggering shift times to reduce wait time at refill stations, identifying and guiding operators to the closest refill station during shifts, and making strategic decisions around location of refill stations and whether to use fixed stations vs mobile nurse trucks.
There are obviously other factors to consider when it comes to placement and usage of refill stations, and with the added visibility that Fieldin provides into these operations, you can now make better-informed decisions based on data from the field.

Refilling Sprayers - The unspoken inefficiencies in your operations

Fieldin has helped VMI keep pace with changing labor laws while allowing them to be more strategic with their fleet and crews.

VMI improves vineyard efficiencies with Fieldin data, achieving significant cost & time savings - Fieldin

VMI improves vineyard efficiencies with Fieldin data, achieving significant cost &#038; time savings

There’s no shortage of agricultural technologies being developed for growers which is a positive for the industry. It aligns with how the next generation of growers are looking to leverage technology to improve their operations. Between labor shortages, inflation and low market prices, margins are continually being squeezed and sustaining profitable growing operations is getting harder. If technology can offer a way to improve efficiency it certainly improves the outlook for the future.
The problem is that advanced technologies such as robots and drones may well be the ultimate in the future of agtech but are less likely to be an option for many fruit and nut growers right now. What’s more critical is finding ways to improve current operations and grow margins to feel more secure about making bigger investments.
Smart farming technology is one way to do this by accelerating growing efficiency and better utilizing existing assets to increase margins. By monitoring growing activities it gives managers greater visibility across all growing activities which delivers real time command and control. The data collected provides a window into daily activities and when things aren’t going according to plan, corrections can be made on the same shift so that operational efficiency isn’t lost. It’s small gains like these that all add up to improve the bottom line for growers.
<h4>How smart farming technology helps overcome current challenges through efficiency</h4>
Growers have their hands full trying to navigate the many challenges being thrown at them. Each of these compounds the difficulty in maintaining profitable operations. What makes it worse is that the majority of the challenges facing growers are beyond their control. The best they can do is manage the effects and mitigate the risks.
Smart farming data shows growers how efficient their current operations are and then creates opportunities to initiate improvements and monitor progress. These are a few ways in which smart farming technology can be applied to specific growing challenges:
MATERIAL OPERATING COSTS: Inflation is increasing the cost of operations in multiple ways, including the price of fertilizers and pesticides. Cutting back too much on the volumes used can impact the quality and yield of crops. But having data can help growers gain visibility into the spray speed and accuracy to optimize material utilization. This has a dual benefit of ensuring costs are kept to a minimum without impacting possible yields and quality.
MACHINERY AND EQUIPMENT MANAGEMENT: Ensuring machinery and equipment is running optimally helps to reduce excess repairs and operational costs. Plus, accurate usage data helps manage ongoing maintenance. Being able to track the number of hours that a piece of equipment has worked, at what speed, and the fuel used, helps manage and forecast costs.
LABOR COSTS: The increasing cost and limited availability of labor means growers need to find ways to optimize the labor resources they have. Smart farming technology can provide the data to ensure that activities are carried out at the optimum rate. This kind of visibility on a farm management level can optimize uptime during shifts.
WATER USE: Access to water remains a major issue for most growers in California in particular. The ability to ensure irrigation is sufficient for good growth and yields while reducing wastage and runoff takes careful planning and management. Smart farming technology that can track water usage can help improve efficiency.
CLIMATE CHANGE: Climate wise, shifting and unpredictable weather patterns, as well as water scarcity are making things even harder for growers. It’s also highlighting the need to track growing activities across the seasons. With actual data it is easier to see patterns and how they change from year to year.
ESG REPORTING: ESG is becoming increasingly important, as is the ability to report on sustainability efforts and impact. Consumer trends indicate a desire for greater transparency around our food supply. Additionally investor preferences highlight sustainability as a priority when it comes to farm asset management. To meet these growing demands, it’s essential to have accurate data that shows all growing activities, as this data is then used to calculate ESG impacts.
MARKET PRESSURES: Low market prices, trade tariffs and high exchange rates are making it more attractive for retailers to import fruits and nuts from other growing regions. India and China, two major export markets for almonds, have zero tariff trade agreements with Australia, yet have levied 11% and 45% tariffs on almonds from the USA. While the USA produces significantly more almonds, and is more able to meet demand, cheaper almond imports from Australia may well erode market share.
<h4>How smart farming sets the stage for the next level of autonomy</h4>
Smart farming technology delivers immediate benefits for growers to gain insights into their operations and how to improve them. But a bigger advantage is that it sets up operations for future autonomy. With the data available on the operations platform, it’s easier to forecast, plan, and schedule growing activities. When it comes to advancing towards autonomy, the baseline for operations is already well established.
Take for example the activity of spraying. Currently smart sensors attached to sprayers can measure the speed at which the equipment is moving through orchards and vineyards. This data is fed into a cloud-based operations platform, which can be accessed across devices. This gives managers remote visibility on spraying activities for each machine and operator.
The next step towards autonomy is auto-spray that detects the amount of canopy in an orchard and automatically adjusts the volume of spray. In young orchards where the trees are still relatively small, this can reduce the volume of spraying by up to 50%, which dramatically reduces costs. The auto-spray technology also automatically stops and restarts spraying activities when there’s a gap in the row or when making a turn, reducing wastage and optimizing the spraying process.
The need to optimize growing operations is urgent and the agricultural technologies that can make this happen are accessible. Growers don’t need to buy new equipment or special machinery. Fieldin’s smart sensors can be attached to any type of machinery; tractors, sprayers, shakers, sweepers, even ATV’s and trailers. It’s a great benefit to growers to be able to continue to use their existing assets, with the goal of making them more efficient.
Data sits at the heart of a better farm future, and agricultural technology such as smart sensors are the first step towards accelerating high value crop growing efficiency. If you’d like to find out how to get started with smart farming technology, reach out to <a href="https://fieldin.com/forms/contact/">FieldIn</a> for more details.

How agricultural technology accelerates efficiency for a better farm future

Tracking refill activities in spray operations helps growers close gaps and get more strategic in field operations planning.

Refilling Sprayers - The unspoken inefficiencies in your operations - Fieldin

Refilling Sprayers &#8211; The unspoken inefficiencies in your operations

Blog

Enjoy some of the latest information and thinking around Smart Farming Innovation.

Scoutin mobile app connects to Fieldin’s core platform to enable closed loop pest management cycles

Recent Blog

Zirkle Fruit Company leverages Fieldin to gain more visibility over critical irrigation monitoring activities

Fieldin partners with FruitSpec to provide yield inventory technology to apple growers in the Pacific Northwest

New Fleet Maintenance Module automates engine hour tracking and service management to optimize fleet health

Columbia Farm Services improves PNW orchard operations with Fieldin

VMI improves vineyard efficiencies with Fieldin data, achieving significant cost & time savings

Refilling Sprayers – The unspoken inefficiencies in your operations

Ready to grow smarter?