Digital Landscape Mapping

Digital Landscape Mapping (DLM) is a our electrical conductivity (EC) service that assesses variation in physical soil properties such as type, depth and texture.

All materials have a different ability to conduct electricity. This is seen in soils where heavier, water retentive soils are more conductive than lighter soils. Because of this we can assess variations in the soil by measuring it's ability to conduct electricity.

Why Measure Electrical Conductivity?

Differing levels of conductivity across a field could be due to changes in the soil's texture, moisture, depth, structure plus compaction and organic matter levels.

EC information can be used in many applications such as:
Targeting soil samples,
Fine-tuning fertiliser recommendations,
Variable rate seed drilling,
Variable depth seed drilling,
Variable rate herbicide application,
Drainage planning,
Irrigation scheduling.

How Does It Work?

An EC sensor is mounted in a non-conductive trailer and towed by an ATV. As the ATV travels across the field, at 25 metre intervals, the soil's conductivity is measured including it's GPS position.

The higher the electromagnetic reading, the greater the moisture content, clay content or salinity of the soil. SOYL measure at 2 depth profiles; 0-40 cm and 0-120cm.

A contoured conductivity map can by produced by linking the electromagnetic readings with the GPS coordinates. The map will indicate zones in the field that have similar abilities to conduct electricity.

Raw data map indicating conductivity levels at 0-120cm.     Contoured raw data for 0-120cm.     Contoured altitude map.

An experienced soil technician then carries out a soil survey across the field identifying different soil textures and stone content through the soil profile.

Pricing starts from £12.50 per hectare.

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