The Stenon FarmLab is a groundbreaking agricultural technology product designed to revolutionize soil analysis for modern farming operations. This innovative device offers real-time, in-field soil parameter data, eliminating the traditional delays associated with laboratory testing and empowering farmers with immediate, actionable insights. By integrating advanced sensor fusion technology with powerful AI, the FarmLab provides a comprehensive understanding of soil health, enabling more precise and efficient agricultural practices.
Experience quick, efficient, and accurate soil analysis with this robust, user-friendly tool. The FarmLab is engineered to withstand demanding farm environments, featuring a durable design and intuitive operation. It represents a significant step towards optimizing crop nutrition, reducing input costs, and fostering sustainable farming by providing the critical data needed for informed decision-making directly at the point of need.
Key Features
The Stenon FarmLab integrates a suite of advanced capabilities to deliver unparalleled soil intelligence. Its core strength lies in its Real-time, In-field Soil Analysis, providing immediate access to crucial soil parameter data directly from the field. This capability drastically reduces waiting times, allowing farmers to make timely decisions regarding fertilization, irrigation, and other critical interventions without relying on external lab results.
Underpinning this immediate analysis is Advanced Sensor Fusion Technology, which combines optical (Near-Infrared, Ultraviolet-Visible Spectroscopy) and electrical (Electrical Impedance Spectroscopy) sensors. This multi-sensor approach ensures a comprehensive and highly accurate assessment of various soil properties. The raw data collected by these sensors is then processed by AI-Driven Soil Intelligence, a proprietary system that transforms complex readings into precise soil nutrient insights within seconds. This AI is further enhanced by localized calibration, ensuring its accuracy adapts to specific regional soil characteristics.
The device offers Comprehensive Parameter Measurement, capable of analyzing a wide range of essential soil indicators. This includes Plant-Available Nitrogen (Nmin), Nitrate (NO3), Total Nitrogen (Ntotal), Phosphorus (P), Potassium (K), Magnesium (Mg), Soil Organic Matter (SOM)/Humus content/Carbon, pH value (lime requirements), Soil Moisture, Soil Temperature, and Soil Texture. Such a broad spectrum of data empowers farmers to gain a holistic view of their soil's health and fertility.
A significant benefit is the ability to achieve Optimized N-Fertilizer Input. By providing precise, real-time data on nitrogen levels, the FarmLab enables farmers to apply N-fertilizer exactly where and when it's needed, preventing overuse. This optimization can lead to substantial cost savings, reportedly up to 20%, while simultaneously promoting higher yield outputs and contributing to more sustainable and responsible farming practices.
Technical Specifications
| Specification | Value |
|---|---|
| Analysis Method | Real-time, in-field using optical (NIR, UV-Vis Spectroscopy) and electrical (Electrical Impedance Spectroscopy - EIS) sensors |
| Measured Parameters | Plant-Available Nitrogen (Nmin), Nitrate (NO3), Total Nitrogen (Ntotal), Phosphorus (P), Potassium (K), Magnesium (Mg), Soil Organic Matter (SOM)/Humus content/Carbon, pH value, Soil Moisture, Soil Temperature, Soil Texture |
| Measurement Depth | 0 - 30 cm |
| Compatible Soil Types | Sandy, silty, and loamy soils |
| Display | 3.5-inch Touchscreen |
| Battery Life | More than 8 hours |
| Charging | USB-C Charging |
| Connectivity | Direct data transmission to the internet via WiFi, Offline mode for up to 1000 measurements |
| GPS | Integrated GPS module for precise measurement location |
| Design | Robust and durable, reinforced plastic and stainless steel sensor head, suitable for farming environments, assembled in Germany |
| Certifications | TüV and DLG certified |
Use Cases & Applications
The Stenon FarmLab is a versatile tool with numerous practical applications across various farming scenarios:
- Optimizing Fertilizer Application: Farmers use the FarmLab to obtain real-time data on soil nutrient levels, particularly nitrogen, enabling them to precisely apply fertilizers. This eliminates guesswork, reduces nutrient waste, and ensures crops receive optimal nutrition, leading to cost savings and higher yields.
- Improving Irrigation Management: By continuously monitoring soil moisture levels, the device assists farmers in making informed irrigation decisions. This prevents over- or under-watering, conserving water resources and maintaining ideal soil conditions for crop growth.
- Creating Precision Application Maps: The integrated GPS module allows for precise geo-referencing of soil measurements. This data can then be used to generate detailed application maps, guiding variable-rate fertilizer spreaders or irrigation systems for highly efficient and localized input management.
- Ensuring Regulatory Compliance: The FarmLab provides accurate and documented soil nutrient data, helping farmers meet regulatory requirements for nutrient determination, such as nitrogen levels, which are often subject to environmental guidelines.
- Enhancing Soil Health Monitoring: Beyond immediate nutrient management, the device facilitates long-term monitoring of soil organic matter, pH, and texture. This allows farmers to track changes in soil health over time and implement practices that improve fertility and sustainability.
Strengths & Weaknesses
| Strengths ✅ | Weaknesses ⚠️ |
|---|---|
| Real-time, In-field Analysis: Eliminates delays of traditional labs, providing immediate actionable data. | Measurement Depth: Limited to 0-30 cm, which may not be sufficient for deep-rooted crops or subsoil analysis. |
| Comprehensive Parameter Measurement: Measures a wide array of essential nutrients and soil properties (N, P, K, Mg, SOM, pH, moisture, temperature, texture). | Compatible Soil Types: Primarily compatible with sandy, silty, and loamy soils, potentially limiting use in other soil compositions. |
| Significant Cost and Time Savings: Achieves up to 20% savings on fertilizer costs and drastically reduces waiting times for results. | Pricing Model: Specific pricing is not publicly available, operating on a SaaS model, which implies ongoing subscription costs in addition to hardware purchase/rental. |
| AI-Driven Soil Intelligence: Transforms raw sensor data into precise insights with localized calibration, enhancing accuracy. | Official Recognition of Reports: Despite DLG certification, analysis reports cannot yet be submitted to authorities in some regions. |
| Robust and User-Friendly Design: Built for durability in farm environments with an intuitive interface and web platform. | Software Usability: Some users have found the software challenging to use, and a lack of automatic classification of nutrient contents into official content classes has been noted. |
| Certified Accuracy: TüV and DLG certified, validating its quality and precision. |
Benefits for Farmers
The Stenon FarmLab offers a multitude of tangible benefits for farmers striving for more efficient and sustainable operations. By providing real-time soil data, it enables significant cost reduction through optimized input use, particularly for nitrogen fertilizers, where savings of up to 20% are achievable. This precision also leads to enhanced yield outputs as crops receive the exact nutrients they need, when they need them.
Beyond financial gains, the device contributes to substantial time savings by eliminating the lengthy waiting periods associated with traditional laboratory analysis. Farmers can make immediate, informed decisions, improving operational agility. Furthermore, the FarmLab promotes environmental sustainability by reducing fertilizer overuse, thereby minimizing nutrient runoff and supporting healthier soil ecosystems. It empowers farmers with comprehensive data, fostering informed decision-making that improves overall soil health, fertility, and long-term farm productivity.
Integration & Compatibility
The Stenon FarmLab is designed as an integrated hardware and software ecosystem. The portable FarmLab device seamlessly connects to the internet via WiFi, directly transmitting collected soil data to Stenon's intuitive web-based platform. This platform serves as the central hub for data visualization, analysis, and the generation of actionable recommendations.
The data and insights derived from the FarmLab can be readily integrated into existing farm management workflows. Farmers can use the generated application maps to program variable-rate machinery, ensuring precise and efficient distribution of inputs. While direct API integrations with third-party farm management information systems (FMIS) are not explicitly detailed, the web platform's ability to provide actionable insights and mapping capabilities ensures compatibility with modern precision agriculture practices and decision-making processes.
Frequently Asked Questions
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| How does this product work? | The Stenon FarmLab utilizes a combination of optical (NIR, UV-Vis Spectroscopy) and electrical (Electrical Impedance Spectroscopy - EIS) sensors to perform real-time, in-field soil analysis. Raw sensor data is then processed by Stenon's AI, which provides precise soil nutrient insights and recommendations within seconds. |
| What is the typical ROI? | Farmers can achieve significant return on investment primarily through optimized nitrogen (N) fertilizer input, leading to cost savings of up to 20%. This precision also contributes to higher crop yields and improved soil health, reducing long-term operational expenses and enhancing productivity. |
| What setup/installation is required? | The Stenon FarmLab is designed for immediate in-field use. Users simply take measurements directly in the soil. The device then transmits data via WiFi to an intuitive web-based platform, which requires no complex installation, only an internet connection. |
| What maintenance is needed? | The device features a robust and durable design, built for farming environments. Regular cleaning of the stainless steel sensor head is recommended to ensure optimal performance and accuracy. Software updates are typically managed through the integrated system. |
| Is training required to use this? | The Stenon FarmLab is designed to be user-friendly. While basic operational guidance is beneficial, the intuitive touchscreen display and the accompanying web platform are straightforward to navigate, making the learning curve minimal for farmers. |
| What systems does it integrate with? | The FarmLab is an integrated hardware and software solution. It directly transmits data to Stenon's web-based platform, which allows for data visualization, actionable insights, and the creation of application maps. This data can then be used to inform existing farm planning and machinery operations. |
| How does it contribute to sustainability? | By enabling precise N-fertilizer application, the FarmLab significantly reduces nutrient overuse, minimizing environmental impact such as nutrient runoff. It supports sustainable farming practices by optimizing resource use and promoting healthier soil ecosystems. |
| Can it be used in offline mode? | Yes, the Stenon FarmLab features an offline mode capability, allowing it to store up to 1000 measurements when internet connectivity is not available. Data can then be transmitted once a connection is re-established. |
Pricing & Availability
Specific price ranges for the Stenon FarmLab are not publicly available. Stenon operates on a Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) business model, where the hardware is available for outright purchase or rental, complemented by ongoing software service fees. For detailed pricing information tailored to your specific needs and region, please contact us via the Make inquiry button on this page.
Support & Training
Stenon provides comprehensive support for the FarmLab, ensuring farmers can maximize the device's potential. This includes ongoing access to the web-based platform for data management and insights. While the device is designed for ease of use, resources and guidance are available to assist users in understanding the data and applying the recommendations effectively within their farming operations. Regular software updates are also provided to enhance functionality and accuracy.
