Fertilizer Blending Software: Why It Matters to Operational Efficiency and Longevity in Ag Retail
March 20, 2024 
Managing operations has become as important as the tools used on the farm and for the retailers who provide them. Photo: Kahler Automation.
The technological advances found on fields around the world are well documented. Just as advanced, though perhaps not as obvious, are tech tools, like blending software, that are not just conveniences but absolutely necessities.
“Really, it is all about helping the operation be as efficient and accurate as possible,” says Rob Bullock, VP of Business Strategy, SSI. “Agvance is a cog in the operation because it performs fast and accurate product formulation recommendations at the least cost and communicates that directly to the automated blending equipment if the plant is so equipped. Once the products have been blended the order can be automatically adjusted to the quantities that were actually used, which may be slightly different than the quantities requested.”
Software Updates
Blending software delivers a host of benefits that help ag retailers eliminate waste, save time and money, and mitigate a number of issues for growers.
“For the majority of ag retailers today, blending software is no longer optional,” says Todd Scobie, Sales and Marketing Manager, Murray Equipment Inc. (MEI). “Retailers are experiencing increases in inventory costs and labor shortages combined with continued industry consolidation. They see blending software as critical to their continued longevity.”
It’s little wonder then, more ag retailers turn to blending software solutions.
“We have seen an increase in demand for data-driven products,” says Colt Silvers, Vice President of Business Development, Kahler Automation. “Aside from blending and loading trucks, our customers are asking for products like Constellation that provide dashboards and analytics at the organizational level for better visibility and decision support.
“We understand our customers are being challenged to do more with fewer resources,” Silvers says. “That is why we offer products like LoadPass, Self Serve, and Bulk Receiving. By empowering drivers to check themselves in on a mobile device and load/unload without interacting with staff, these products require fewer employees and increase throughput for peak efficiency.”
Why the category might seem singularly focused, these solutions touch aspects well beyond just blending.
“Blending software has a positive impact on nearly every operational aspect for ag retailers — increased loadout speed, load accuracy, billing accuracy, inventory management, customer service, safety, driver and equipment management, and more,” says MEI’s Scobie. “Regarding labor shortages, at MEI, we pride ourselves on intuitive, easy-to-use software that requires minimal training. We also make training resources available online for free. Finally, with features such as multi-location functionality, apps and smart devices, and unattended loadout, MEI can help retailers maximize their employee time and experience.”
End User Response
“With the current labor challenges and rising commodity prices, our customers understand that the accuracy and efficiency of automation is key to their success,” Kahler’s Silvers says. “We have seen a steady increase in adoption over the past few years.”
Whether it’s the growth of precision agriculture, environmental concerns, or the price spike the fertilizer market experienced recently, the focus on efficiency has certainly helped drive the growth of adoption.
“Fertilizer prices have really highlighted the need for accurate, efficient, and scalable solutions,” Silvers continues. “Our entire suite of blending software is certified legal for trade, providing unmatched accuracy and dependability when it matters most.”
Not only are those factors key to ongoing success, well-documented labor challenges have intensified their need. “Today, automation is one of the primary drivers we see for new facilities,” MEI’s Scobie says. “For companies with aging facilities with little to no automation, we typically see them build a large, strategically located facility and then systematically update surrounding facilities. For companies with exiting automated locations, they understand automated locations typically offer the best ROI.
“MEI ICS ControlPro offers strong multi-location capabilities including 24/7 loadout and inventory sharing across locations,” Scobie continues. “This gives operations managers more options on how to build and use their locations more strategically and efficiently — both to serve customers better, but also to lower internal costs.”
The back office has certainly become as important as the equipment and inputs used on and in the field. As such, blending software needs to mesh with other all the other tools found on the computers integral to any operation.
“Blend tickets can be created directly with a request for a particular ‘known’ plant food request or can be created automatically from precision plant food recommendations created automatically in Agvance Mapping from existing data such as soil tests and past harvest data,” says SSI’s Bullock. “After the ticket is created, it can flow to your logistics process where a dispatcher can assign it to an applicator in the field. As soon as the applicator indicates on their device that the job is done notifications can be sent back to the office and/or the customer. Then it is available for Agvance Accounting users to complete the billing process.”
Opportunities, Challenges To Growth
“The market is demanding enterprise level tools that increase value at the organizational level,” says Kahler’s Silvers. “With Constellation we are providing tools to facilitate company-wide data standardization, reduced touch points, and increased access to decision support tools for increased flexibility and operational efficiency.”
MEI’s Scobie explains that blending software (and other tools traditionally found in the office) are finding their way, well, everywhere.
“With mobile devices, improved Internet speeds and 5G, and an increasing number of smart devices, blending software is continually evolving to help retailers address their challenges and better serve their customers,” he says. “At MEI, we believe in partnering with our customers to come up with new solutions to address the day-to-day realities facing ag retailers.”
Even as challenges are overcome, new ones arise.
“In the past few years, operation managers have voiced concern over truck traffic control with challenges such as traffic bottlenecks, health and safety concerns, and labor scarcity,” Kahler’s Silvers says. “Our LOADPASS app solves these issues by offering drivers easy mobile check-in for smooth traffic flow, and contactless loadout for increased efficiency.”
For example, blending software helped mitigate the unexpected spike in fertilizer prices that appeared following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
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