Release Notes and Updates

Adapt-N uses a mass-balance equation to derive a final N recommendation, which includes the final crop N needs to achieve the expected yield, soil N availability, current crop N status, future N credits, and potential loss and risk factors. In this approach there is a linear relationship between the expected yield and the amount of recommended nitrogen: higher yields require equivalently more N.  Recent research has demonstrated that this relationship is not linear with fields that have low yield potential.  The underlying causes - compaction, drainage, water deficits, etc. - also affect the crop’s ability to take up the available nitrogen, which results in lower nitrogen use efficiency.  Based on results from many field trials, Adapt-N has implemented an improved methodology to account for decreased N use efficiency in cases where yields are below-normal for a region. Adapt-N already recommends lower nitrogen for fields with lower expected yields; it now also accounts for the reduced nitrogen use efficiency in those low yielding fields, having an effect of slightly increasing recommendations in such cases.

Welcome back to Adapt-N for the 2017 Season!  This post contains highlights of key updates to the system.  Don’t hesitate to reach out to support@adapt-n.com with any questions.

New training videos available

When you first log in, you’ll see a set of updated training videos, appropriate for both new and experienced users.  Consider taking a few minutes to see recorded demonstrations of Adapt-N, showcasing many of these new features.

Field Rec Export Tool Enhancements

The Field Recommendation Export tool has a new feature which lets you select a maximum application rate for the primary nitrogen product.  If a second nitrogen product is selected, the remainder of the full N rec for a given part of the field will be allocated to that product automatically.  A good example is if you want to apply a maximum of 5 gal/ac of a custom product, but parts of your field call for more Nitrogen than would be provided by 5 gallons.  This configuration would accomplish that objective:

Three other updates have also been made to this tool:

• When choosing a Shapefile as the export type, you can customize the name of the exported file.
• The percentage for the Remaining Nitrogen Product now automatically adjusts if you select a percentage below 100% for the primary Nitrogen Product.
• The PDF included with the exported Shapefile now has map colors that correspond with the adjusted recommendation, as opposed to the original recommendation.

Change Field Mode Tool Supports All Options

When looking at the Fields & Zones view, click the Field menu and select Change Field Mode if you’d like to adjust or reset the zone management approach to an existing field.  This tool has been updated to provide the full suite of configuration options that exist when creating a field from scratch.  This includes all three field modes (point-based, zone-based, grid-based), as well as all zone creation options:

• None: you’ll draw your zones by hand.
• Single Zone: create one zone for the whole field.
• By Soil Type: use the soil survey database to create zones.
• Shapefile: select a shapefile for use in creating management zones (you can also choose an attribute from the shapefile for zone names, and can optionally choose whether to combine management zones of identical names).
• Management Zones: if the field is connected to an external system and Management Zones exist in that system, this button will show up.  When pressed, a list of Available Management Zones will be displayed.

Note that when using the Change Field Mode tool, the new field needs to be fully configured (configuration data other than Boundary do not carry over from the source field, as differences in zone geometry result in different spatial interpretations of source configuration data).

Variable Rate Manure Application Support

Users applying manure at variable rates throughout the field, or users who utilize more than one source of manure on a given field, can now upload Shapefiles via the Field Config tool.  This feature functions in a similar fashion to the existing support for variable rate existing nitrogen applications and variable rate irrigation applications.

Zone Stats on Field Recommendation Page

Users looking at a field recommendation can now see a summary of various zone recommendation statistics, including N Loss, Mineralization, Uptake, Virtual PSNT, and more.  These show the min, average, and max values for the same output parameters shown on the individual zone recommendation detail pages.  

New Integration Available: 

Adapt-N has released an initial integration with the John Deere Operations Center.  Please contact support@adapt-n.com if you would like it enabled on your account.  The integration lets users import field boundaries from John Deere Operations Center, and subsequently transmit completed Adapt-N recommendations back to John Deere Operations Center’s File page.  Users who have authenticated with the John Deere Operations Center will be able to upload Adapt-N recommendations to Operations Center from any field, not just those originally imported from John Deere.  Future enhancements are planned.

Integration Updates

Field import methods across agX and Agrian integrations have been standardized, so that the same options exist for single- and bulk-field import options.  These enhancements include:

• User preferences enabling the automatic syncing of soil survey, soil organic matter, and soil pH data (when available) at the time of field creation.
• Ability to fully configure fields (grid-based fields included) while importing multiple fields at once with the Bulk Import tab.  This is a great way to get your fields ready to go, then come back and tweak them individually as needed.  

Integration Updates

EFC Systems' FieldAlytics product has completed a full integration with the Adapt-N API.  This enables FieldAlytics users to create powerful variable rate Adapt-N recommendations without ever leaving their native interface.  Contact EFC Sytems support for additional questions.

Agronomic Modeling Enhancements

The Adapt-N research team continually makes optimizations and improvements to the underlying scientific modeling based on research efforts, strip trial results, and observations from users.  Highlights of this year’s enhancements include:

• Addition of Soil pH as an optional configuration input.
• Improvements to the way mineralization is simulated in very high organic matter soils.
• Addition of Previous Crop options for Wheat.
• Addition of an "Additional N Credits" value on recommendations, showing the explicit outputs from manure and previous crops.

Recap of Previous Updates

If you missed some of our previous updates, here are highlights of some of our more popular enhancements from 2016:

• Training Mode enables users to run prior-season recommendations at no charge.
• Crop Emergence and Soil Nitrate Observations can be entered to improve calibration of the model.
• Modifying Recommendation Parameters enable local conditions to be used for for crop prices, nitrogen costs, and pounds of N needed per expected bushel of yield.
• Adjusting Rooting Depth based on field observations improves the accuracy of modeled N losses during the season.
• Read the full release notes from January 2017

Welcome back to the 2017 season!  Over the last few months we've released a number of improvements and new features to Adapt-N, based on user feedback, suggestions, and agronomic research.  If you have questions about any of these release notes, please email support@agronomic.com.

N-Insight

N-Insight is now available for all customers.  Access the tool via the N-Insight logo, located in the left navigation bar; it is accessible to Billing Admin and Agronomist Users.  A PDF report has also been added, accessible from any completed N-Insight report.  Billing Admins who wish to customize the timing, form, and placement of nitrogen applications within N-Insight should contact support, as these parameters can be set for all N-Insight fields in an account.  

Training Mode Feature

Training Mode is a new feature that lets users run example recommendations using prior-year weather data at no charge, for the purposes of training new users and demonstrating Adapt-N to growers.  All Billing Admins have this feature turned on by default, and they can choose to subsequently enable it for other users in their account. Click here for full details. 

Nitrogen Recommendation Updates

• The Field Recommendation Page now includes a new set of statistics, summarizing a number of modeling outputs for the field's zones:
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• The Export Recommendation application now lets users modify the names of a shapefile prior to completing the export.  Additionally, Foliar products are now supported as a special type of Custom Fertilizer; contact support to set these up.  See full details here.
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• When viewing a Zone's Recommendation Details (accessed by clicking on a zone from the Field Recommendation map), a Yield Scenarios option is available at the top, next to the date selector.  This lets users generate a side-by-side comparison nitrogen recommendation for that zone, under 3 different expected yield scenarios.  A PDF export option is also available for this tool.
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Modeling Enhancements

• Optional Observational values are now accepted by Adapt-N, and are utilized to improve calibration of the models.  Specifically:
• Crop emergence date can be provided to re-calibrate Adapt-N's growth model as of the date of the observation
• Soil nitrate test results can be provided, either on a flat or spatial basis, to cause Adapt-N's soil nitrate values to be re-calibrated as of the date and depth of the lab test.  Users who have performed side-by-side testing of Adapt-N's Virtual PSNT and traditional lab nitrate tests have found strong correlation.  However, deviations can be used as a trigger to review field inputs for accuracy, or observational values can be loaded into Adapt-N to cause a modest adjustment.  Please note that research shows that in-field soil nitrate tests are inherently variable.
• Users can now control the pounds of Nitrogen needed per expected bushel of yield.  This directly impacts the "expected N in crop at harvest" value seen on the recommendation detail page, which is otherwise calculated based on expected yield.  Adapt-N accepts values from 0.9 to 1.2.  In the absence of an explicit value being set, Adapt-N's system defaults will be used.  Click here for additional details.
• Adapt-N utilizes a set of economic parameters in calculating a risk/profit adjustment that impacts the final recommendation.  We've now provided the ability for users to adjust two of these parameters: Price of grain per bushel, and Cost of nitrogen per pound.   Click here for additional details.  Feature summary;
• Billing Admins can set these values for their entire account, and optionally can also set them for a specific Grower.
• When set, recommendation pages will clearly show which parameters were used. In the absence of these values being set, Adapt-N system defaults will be used.
• In the past, the start date of an Adapt-N simulation was adjusted based on various parameters of the field.  This created some inconsistencies in how nitrogen losses would be accumulated in cases when unusual weather patterns were observed at the very end of a calendar year and when the field's parameters would not cause the simulation to start until January 1st.  After completing an extensive research effort on this topic, we have modified Adapt-N such that all simulations will begin on November 1st, unless a nitrogen or manure application for the current season occurred prior to that date, in which case the simulation will begin on that date.  In most cases, this change will have only a trivial impact on the recommendation.  However, in cases where there were excessive rains and/or warm conditions in November and December, this change will ensure that those weather events are properly captured.
• As we've done for years between seasons, we've updated various parameters in our soil, crop, and climate models to optimize performance based on recent lab and field trial data.  

Integration Update

• agX Platform / SST Software updates:
• Two new user preferences are now available on the Account tab of the agX Settings page:
• Set soil texture and slope based on Soil Survey information.
• Always attempt to sync Soil Organic Matter values from agX.
• Depending on the user preferences set above, when fields are imported Adapt-N will automatically set soil texture and slope, and will automatically pull the most recent soil test result from agX (must be within the last 5 seasons).  Users can subsequently override these values through the normal configuration methods.
• Agrian updates:
• Saved management zones from Agrian can now be utilized for zone creation in Adapt-N at the time of field creation.
• A bulk import tool has been added, letting users import multiple fields at once.
• Two new user preferences are now available on the Account tab of the Agrian Settings page:
• Set soil texture and slope based on Soil Survey information.
• Always attempt to sync Soil Organic Matter values from Agrian.
• Depending on the user preferences set above, when fields are imported Adapt-N will automatically set soil texture and slope, and will automatically pull the most recent soil test result from Agrian (must be within the last 5 seasons).  Users can subsequently override these values through the normal configuration methods.
• EFC Systems / FieldAlytics updates:
• Users can now access Adapt-N features directly from within FieldAlytics interface.  This includes the ability to enroll fields, configure spatial layers, and run Adapt-N recommendations.  Users should work entirely from within the FieldAlytics system and do not need to login to Adapt-N for these features.  
• N-Insight will also soon be added to the FieldAlytics system.
• Contact EFC Systems support for further assistance on this integration.

The Configure Field tool is now available for all zone- and grid-based fields

To access, click Configure Field from the Fields & Zones page, either near the field name or from the Field menu. This tool lets users configure the entirety of the field on a layer-by-layer basis, incorporating spatial variability when desired, either by uploading a Shapefile, syncing with a source (such as agX or Agrian), or by manually entering data. The tool has also been updated to show a visualization of each layer. When each layer panel is open, the map at the top will show the current configuration of the field, and will update in real-time based on any changes made by the user. 

Field Recommendation Export tool upgraded

Click for details

The tool for exporting a completed recommendation has been completely redone, providing much more flexibility in adjusting rates or setting rounding parameters for each Nitrogen product. Users can now:

• Round the rate for each selected product
• Raise or lower the entire recommendation by a percent or fixed amount
• Adjust each individual rate
• Dynamically view changes to the summary of the recommendation based on the changes
• View a PDF Summary report, automatically included with exported Shapefiles

agX Integration Updates

Click here for additional documentation articles on our agX Integration.

We’ve improved the agX experience through the following updates:

• the field import process has been streamlined to function much more quickly
• Management zones in agX can now be used to automatically create zones in Adapt-N. Yield Goals on Management Zones in agX can also be automatically used to set variable yield goals in Adapt-N.
• A bulk import tab is now available, letting you import many fields at once
• The soil organic matter sync now goes back 5 seasons, and also automatically sets sample depth in addition to SOM percent

Crop multi-zone edit application now more flexible

The Crop multi-zone/multi-field application is much easier to use now, since the values on it have become optional. This lets users change one or more crop parameters across many fields at once without overwriting other existing crop parameters already set on those zones. For example, you can now set the planting date across many zones without overwriting yield data. The Previous Crop options have been adjusted to be clearer with respect to forage-sod crops. Users can also move between multi-zone editing sections using the new menu at the top of the screen. 

Expanded Service Territory

Adapt-N is now available for use in an expanded service territory. The system has been calibrated and deployed for use in the following new states for 2016:

• Alabama
• Arkansas
• Colorado
• Florida
• Georgia
• Louisiana
• Mississippi
• Oklahoma
• Tennessee
• Texas

Our service territory is now:

The feature highlights below have been added to Adapt-N during the Spring of 2016.  

Enhanced Field Recommendation Export Editor

Click for details

During the recommendation export process, users now have much more fine grained control of product rounding, rates, minimums, maximums, and can dynamically see the impact of their changes on the overall recommendation (min, average, max, total pounds N).

Field Recommendation Summary Report PDF

When viewing the Field Recommendation, a PDF Report is available for download. Previously, PDFs were only available for individual zone recommendations and as part of the Field Recommendation Export.

Change Field Mode Tool

This tool now lets users switch reset a fields mode between point, zone, and grid options, with the ability to use all automatic zone creation options that would have originally been displayed during the field’s original created.

Point-Based GIS Files Accepted for Additional Layers

Previously, polygon-based shapefiles were accepted for all variable layers, and only Soil Organic Matter accepted point-based data.  While polygon-based data is still recommended for all variable layers, enhancements were made to also accept point-based data for harvest population, expected yield, nitrogen application layers, and nitrate observation data layers.  Please note that as-applied data submitted in point form may require additional processing time, especially when there are over 5,000 points in the file.

Advanced Rooting Depth Configuration Options

Click for details

Users can now flexibly adjust rooting depth values from the Configure Field interface, either using a Shapefile or by increasing/decreasing values across the field.  Rooting depth is an important agronomic input to confirm, as different management practices can have a significant impact on the crop’s rooting depth.  

Zone Recommendation Yield Scenarios

Users can compare different yield goal scenarios while looking at an individual zone’s recommendation.  Up to 2 additional yield goals for a zone can be selected, and Adapt-N will present side-by-side comparisons based on the simulation date specified.  A comparison PDF report is also available.

Observations for Crop Emergence Data

Click for details

Users can enter the observed crop emergence date and the growth model will adjust accordingly.

Observations for Nitrate Levels

Click for details

Users can enter observed nitrate levels, to cause the model to re-calibrate as of the date of the test.

Variable Rate Irrigation Applications Supported

Users can now upload Shapefiles to specify variable rate irrigation applications.