Toowoomba-based DataFarming is now offering five EM (ElectroMagnetic) soil mapping units for hire. ’RapidEM™’ is an autonomous soil electrical conductivity mapping solution that provides detailed information about soil type and soil properties to enable variable rate (VR) soil improvement applications. 

EM measures soil types using a non-contact machine which measures 0.50m and 1.2m down into the soil profile. When combined with soil test data, we obtain a holistic picture of soil factors such as salts, water, and clay content. 

The unit easily installs behind vehicles (in the towball hitch) and automatically logs data when moving around your paddocks and displays in the cab in real time (see images below). A key feature is that the RapidEM™ sends the data to the ‘cloud’, avoiding the need to shift data manually using USB’s, etc. The data is fully integrated into our Digital Agronomist™ online platform.  

RapidEM™ will be a great tool for agronomists who can now offer EM data collection and processing services.  Hiring the unit means agronomists don’t need capital outlay to get mapping, just a ute and willing customers. Agronomists and farmers can hire the unit for $4/ha+GST with a minimum charge of $900+GST per use. Examples are shown on the following pages, as well as a typical example of the correlation between salts and EM reading (chart below). 

Please contact insights@datafarming.com.au for more information or to book a machine. 

Above: EM readings in this example are driven by salts (Chloride).