Uploaded August 2026 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago
Can autonomous nitrogen robots outperform a traditional fertility program when the weather refuses to co-operate? That's the question Brucelea Poultry field crops manager Mark McLean is watching unfold as a dry summer puts a unique field-scale trial to the test.
In this second episode of RealAgriculture's Corn School series following autonomous nutrient management, Bernard Tobin returns to McLean's field trial near Ripley, Ont., where two Upside Robotics Gen 5 robots—nicknamed Bill and Jack—have been managing nitrogen applications on a 51-acre section of a 97-acre field.
The project, first featured earlier this summer, is comparing McLean's conventional nitrogen program against the robots' season-long, sensor-driven approach. While the rest of the field received approximately 200 pounds of nitrogen per acre through pre-plant and Y-drop applications, the robots have been applying nitrogen in smaller amounts throughout the season based on crop demand.
Since the first visit, however, the trial has encountered some challenges. The Ripley area has endured a prolonged moisture deficit, and McLean estimates the farm has received only about six inches of rain since planting, leaving the crop under increasing stress during grain fill.
While a good portion of the growing season remains and McLean is hopeful for timely rains, the dry weather has highlighted one potential advantage of the robotic system.
While McLean's conventional program has already delivered its full nitrogen rate, he estimates the robots have applied only about 60 to 70 pounds of nitrogen per acre so far.
"If I could have some of my nitrogen back in the tank, given what I'm seeing now, I think that would be an okay situation," he says.
With little moisture available to move nitrogen into the crop, McLean notes that holding back fertilizer may prove to be an advantage if drought conditions persist. If meaningful rainfall arrives before the crop finishes filling grain, the robots can continue applying nitrogen. If not, unused fertilizer remains in the tank rather than in the field.
The season has also provided an opportunity to evaluate the robots themselves. Aside from a few early issues with antennas and application systems—and one memorable recovery after Bill ended up overturned in the field—McLean says the technology has settled in well.
"They've had their little ups and downs," he says, "but after the kinks got worked out... it's been really quiet as far as babysitting for the last month."
Stay tuned for the final episode in the series after harvest, when McLean compares the performance of the robotic and conventional nitrogen programs.
Website: realagriculture.com
#agriculture #farming
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Can autonomous nitrogen robots outperform a traditional fertility program when the weather refuses to co-operate? That's the question Brucelea Poultry field crops manager Mark McLean is watching unfold as a dry summer puts a unique field-scale trial to the test.
In this second episode of RealAgriculture's Corn School series following autonomous nutrient management, Bernard Tobin returns to McLean's field trial near Ripley, Ont., where two Upside Robotics Gen 5 robots—nicknamed Bill and Jack—have been managing nitrogen applications on a 51-acre section of a 97-acre field.
The project, first featured earlier this summer, is comparing McLean's conventional nitrogen program against the robots' season-long, sensor-driven approach. While the rest of the field received approximately 200 pounds of nitrogen per acre through pre-plant and Y-drop applications, the robots have been applying nitrogen in smaller amounts throughout the season based on crop demand.
Since the first visit, however, the trial has encountered some challenges. The Ripley area has endured a prolonged moisture deficit, and McLean estimates the farm has received only about six inches of rain since planting, leaving the crop under increasing stress during grain fill.
While a good portion of the growing season remains and McLean is hopeful for timely rains, the dry weather has highlighted one potential advantage of the robotic system.
While McLean's conventional program has already delivered its full nitrogen rate, he estimates the robots have applied only about 60 to 70 pounds of nitrogen per acre so far.
"If I could have some of my nitrogen back in the tank, given what I'm seeing now, I think that would be an okay situation," he says.
With little moisture available to move nitrogen into the crop, McLean notes that holding back fertilizer may prove to be an advantage if drought conditions persist. If meaningful rainfall arrives before the crop finishes filling grain, the robots can continue applying nitrogen. If not, unused fertilizer remains in the tank rather than in the field.
The season has also provided an opportunity to evaluate the robots themselves. Aside from a few early issues with antennas and application systems—and one memorable recovery after Bill ended up overturned in the field—McLean says the technology has settled in well.
"They've had their little ups and downs," he says, "but after the kinks got worked out... it's been really quiet as far as babysitting for the last month."
Stay tuned for the final episode in the series after harvest, when McLean compares the performance of the robotic and conventional nitrogen programs.
Website: realagriculture.com
#agriculture #farming
Find us on our other social media platforms:
X/Twitter: twitter.com/realagriculture
Instagram: instagram.com/realagriculture
Facebook: facebook.com/realagmedia
