Farmers now have a new tool to address soil compaction, which is a significant agronomic challenge that can rob yields by up to 60% in affected areas.

The new SmartProbe System features the SmartProbe app and a mounting kit that attaches a smartphone to a soil penetrometer, a device that identifies soil compaction by measuring resistance to vertical penetration. Now, a farmer can easily record penetrometer readings and create real-time maps showing yield-robbing soil compaction at different depths in the field. This allows sub-surface tillage to be focused on areas of the field that need it—increasing yields, reducing costs and improving soil health.

“Growers know soil compaction isn’t uniform across a field,” says Josh Jeske, founder of Terraform Tillage and developer of the SmartProbe System. “The SmartProbe System allows growers to focus subsoiling on areas that will provide an economic return.”

Jeske says during pilot tests with the SmartProbe System, farmers were able to reduce sub-surface tillage up to 90%.

“Our value comes from reducing tillage in field areas that don’t need it–and focusing tillage on areas that do,” Jeske says. “That’s better for the grower and the environment."

The SmartProbe app is now available in the Apple App Store and the Google Play Store. Downloading and use of the app is free until January 1, 2025. After that, the app will be available on a subscription basis.

The SmartProbe System is also available as a service in Iowa. Growers can contract Terraform Tillage to map fields for them and offer precise tillage recommendations.