Robots show promise for applying nitrogen at Benderbrook Farms

Area corn producers from Tavistock and New Hamburg watch as Franklin explains how robots may soon be the future of liquid fertilizer application. One unit could service up to 100 acres with multiple passes. Gary West photo

By Gary West

Benderbrook Farms near New Hamburg recently hosted a demonstration that could mark the future of modern agriculture.

As part of Pride Seeds’ Demo Plot Days, local reps Zenon Bender and Jim Witzel welcomed agronomist Tanya Franklin of Upside Robotics to showcase how robots can apply liquid fertilizer products directly to corn plants with precision.

Franklin explained the robots are capable of delivering 28 per-cent nitrogen as well as phosphorus, potassium, sulphur, boron, zinc, carbon and other micronutrients directly beside the roots of the plant.

“By applying nitrogen only as needed, and where and when it is needed, we’ve shown it’s possible to reduce nitrogen application rates by up to 70 per cent without impacting yield,” Franklin said.

Upside Robotics’ 2024 trials demonstrated yields equal to baseline rates of 200 pounds of nitrogen per acre, even when only 60 pounds were applied by robot. The trials also featured an average of eight split applications, including one as late as mid-September when the corn was at R4 stage.

Franklin noted a 20-bushel-per-acre yield increase when nitrogen was applied late in the season – something most farmers don’t have the equipment or time to do.

“This technology shows the potential to reduce input costs while improving yield,” Franklin said.

One farmer compared the innovation to the dairy industry: “We didn’t think robots could milk cows successfully but look how common it is today.”