Smart machine management – HorschConnect
#HORSCHtogether
Digital systems are becoming more and more important in agriculture – especially when it comes to efficiency, planning reliability and transparent processes. Nicolai Rosenqvist explains how he uses HorschConnect in practice for this purpose.
In southern Sweden, on the 3,000 ha arable farm Skabernäs, efficiency is a daily necessity. A wide variety of crops are grown in the fields, including wheat, barley, rapeseed, sugar beet, potatoes, peas and various grasses.
A wide variety of soil types, from light sand to heavy clay, large distances between fields and changeable weather conditions regularly present the farm with logistical challenges. To optimally coordinate the machine fleet, staff and processes, farm manager Nicolai Rosenqvist relies on HorschConnect.
Keep an eye on everything
“During the season, I use HorschConnect every day – often several times a day,” Nicolai says. With the app, he can see in real time where the two HORSCH Leeb self-propelled sprayers are located, how many hectares they have already worked, what quantities they are spreading and how high their fuel consumption is. “I don't have to constantly call my drivers to ask where they are; I can see at a glance where they are and how far they have got. This makes daily planning much easier.” Especially when it comes to the distribution of the fields – some of which are up to 30 km apart – the availability of operational data is an enormous advantage. “I look at the map and can immediately decide where the next job will start. This saves time and makes us more flexible.”
But HorschConnect is not only helpful in day-to-day business. The system also provides valuable evaluations afterwards: spraying quantities, working hours, work rates – everything is documented automatically. “This helps us to better assess the cost-effectiveness of our measures. We can see the exact costs of each measure and where we can still optimise,” the farm manager explains.
The HORSCH Control app is a great help in practice, allowing for controlling key machine functions directly from a smartphone. Thus, Nicolai can conveniently walk around the machine during the nozzle test before spraying and control individual nozzles without having to return to the cabin. “I can check outside whether all the nozzles are working properly. This increases operational reliability.”
Targeted response
Digital tools also offer a real added value for service. Service employees can remotely access diagnostic data, read error codes and draw targeted conclusions. “This speeds up service enormously. Problems are responded to immediately,” Nicolai says.
With six permanent employees and additional seasonal support, the farm relies on smooth processes. Digital solutions such as HorschConnect create the necessary transparency and make planning and execution easier and more efficient. For Nicolai, one thing is clear: “If you want to work efficiently today, you need digital systems that think for themselves.” Digitalisation is not considered to be an option at the Swedish farm, but an opportunity. “We continuously pursue new technologies and try to integrate them sensibly into our daily work to work more efficiently, but also to achieve better results on our fields.” The combination of real-time monitoring, remote access, analysis and automatic documentation brings transparency and structure to everyday operations.