"For three years, we didn’t know that the majority of our machinery was suitable for precision farming"
Reading time: 10 minutes.
We chatted with Alpamys Karypov from Aitas Agro, a big farming group in Kazakhstan. We dived deep into how they’re using precision farming, the importance of checking the money side of things, and how control lines really help measure the results.
Can you tell us about your company?
We’re the crop production arm of the large Kazakhstani holding company, Aitas KZ. Aitas KZ owns two poultry farms for meat production and one for hatching eggs, which together account for over half of all poultry meat production in the country. We’re engaged in the substitution of the large amounts of cheap Russian poultry meat imported into Kazakhstan.
Our division of the holding company is named Aitas Agro. We currently operate four farms, three of which are located in eastern Kazakhstan. Our total land bank exceeds 30,000 hectares of arable land. We have plans to expand our land bank: we are efficient farmers, and it is only natural for us to seek to increase our land holdings in order to produce more in Kazakhstan.
Aitas Agro operates fairly independently. Besides producing feed for poultry farms, we also undertake independent ventures unrelated to poultry feed production.
We’re the crop production arm of the large Kazakhstani holding company, Aitas KZ. Aitas KZ owns two poultry farms for meat production and one for hatching eggs, which together account for over half of all poultry meat production in the country. We’re engaged in the substitution of the large amounts of cheap Russian poultry meat imported into Kazakhstan.
Our division of the holding company is named Aitas Agro. We currently operate four farms, three of which are located in eastern Kazakhstan. Our total land bank exceeds 30,000 hectares of arable land. We have plans to expand our land bank: we are efficient farmers, and it is only natural for us to seek to increase our land holdings in order to produce more in Kazakhstan.
Aitas Agro operates fairly independently. Besides producing feed for poultry farms, we also undertake independent ventures unrelated to poultry feed production.
Can you tell us about your company?
We’re the crop production arm of the large Kazakhstani holding company, Aitas KZ. Aitas KZ owns two poultry farms for meat production and one for hatching eggs, which together account for over half of all poultry meat production in the country. We’re engaged in the substitution of the large amounts of cheap Russian poultry meat imported into Kazakhstan.
Our division of the holding company is named Aitas Agro. We currently operate four farms, three of which are located in eastern Kazakhstan. Our total land bank exceeds 30,000 hectares of arable land. We have plans to expand our land bank: we are efficient farmers, and it is only natural for us to seek to increase our land holdings in order to produce more in Kazakhstan.
Aitas Agro operates fairly independently. Besides producing feed for poultry farms, we also undertake independent ventures unrelated to poultry feed production.
We’re the crop production arm of the large Kazakhstani holding company, Aitas KZ. Aitas KZ owns two poultry farms for meat production and one for hatching eggs, which together account for over half of all poultry meat production in the country. We’re engaged in the substitution of the large amounts of cheap Russian poultry meat imported into Kazakhstan.
Our division of the holding company is named Aitas Agro. We currently operate four farms, three of which are located in eastern Kazakhstan. Our total land bank exceeds 30,000 hectares of arable land. We have plans to expand our land bank: we are efficient farmers, and it is only natural for us to seek to increase our land holdings in order to produce more in Kazakhstan.
Aitas Agro operates fairly independently. Besides producing feed for poultry farms, we also undertake independent ventures unrelated to poultry feed production.
Calculate fertilizer and seeding rates
For variable-rate application. Detect productivity zones and create prescription maps for equipment in the OneSoil web app.
Alpamys Karypov (the sign says 'I BELIEVE IN AGRO')
What crops do you grow?
Our primary crops are spring wheat and, to a lesser extent, winter wheat. We also cultivate sunflowers and spring malting barley. We started experimenting with the cultivation of peas last year as a crop rotation measure. All of our fields are located in East Kazakhstan. The average field size is approximately 200 hectares.
Our primary crops are spring wheat and, to a lesser extent, winter wheat. We also cultivate sunflowers and spring malting barley. We started experimenting with the cultivation of peas last year as a crop rotation measure. All of our fields are located in East Kazakhstan. The average field size is approximately 200 hectares.
How did Aitas Agro venture into precision farming?
Our CEO initiated this pursuit. During his MBA studies, he delved into the concept of precision farming.
Our region is unique — it’s not like the rest of Kazakhstan, which is mostly steppe. We are located in a mountainous area with corresponding topography. As the snow melts, the meltwater carries nutrients downhill. Hence, we initially assumed that our fields exhibited heterogeneous soil productivity and decided to investigate further.
At that time, Cropwise offered functionality to view elevation maps and construct a productivity map based on the current growing season. In 2021, we applied our findings to several sunflower fields, used Cropwise to create VRA maps, and incorporated them into our machinery. This was our first attempt at using variable-rate technology. We noticed the impact, though it wasn’t uniform across all fields. In one field, we were only able to save on seeds and maintain the same yield, but in the other field, we achieved an increase of about 200 kg of sunflowers per hectare.
Our CEO initiated this pursuit. During his MBA studies, he delved into the concept of precision farming.
Our region is unique — it’s not like the rest of Kazakhstan, which is mostly steppe. We are located in a mountainous area with corresponding topography. As the snow melts, the meltwater carries nutrients downhill. Hence, we initially assumed that our fields exhibited heterogeneous soil productivity and decided to investigate further.
At that time, Cropwise offered functionality to view elevation maps and construct a productivity map based on the current growing season. In 2021, we applied our findings to several sunflower fields, used Cropwise to create VRA maps, and incorporated them into our machinery. This was our first attempt at using variable-rate technology. We noticed the impact, though it wasn’t uniform across all fields. In one field, we were only able to save on seeds and maintain the same yield, but in the other field, we achieved an increase of about 200 kg of sunflowers per hectare.
That sunflower (by Aitas Agro)
Did you apply different rates to the two fields?
No, we applied the same rates, but the results differed. In one field, we noticed an increase in yield, while in the other, we merely saved some seeds.
Generally, the subject is complex. Numerous factors affect the yield.Plus, at that time, we were unaware of the necessity of using control lines, a feature now available in OneSoil Yield.
Despite this being our first experiment, we were pleased with the results. The positive outcomes encouraged us to further explore precision farming.We are primarily a business, and variable-rate technology is proving to be a very effective tool for both savings and yield gains when applied correctly.
So, you conducted an experiment on two fields, liked the results, and then decided to expand the experiment?
Yes, by 2022 we had already decided to sow more sunflowers using variable-rate technology — approximately 4,000 hectares.However, as we were still utilizing Cropwise to create our task maps, we were unaware that the zones weren’t accurately mapped. We only discovered this when we started using OneSoil Yield.
We were designing task maps based on the current vegetation — we chose NDVI images from a specific date. Ultimately, we ended up with very patchy fields with no clear zones.
Why did you decide to try OneSoil Yield?
In 2022, we sowed sunflowers without control lines.Again, it wasn’t possible to accurately assess the results.
During that period, we had a conversation with Matvey, the manager at OneSoil. We got introduced to the OneSoil Yield functionality. I was particularly impressed by the productivity maps that OneSoil offers.We even conducted an analysis: for the same fields, we generated productivity maps in both Cropwise and OneSoil. Along with agronomists and directors, we discussed each field individually. Indeed, they confirmed that the productivity maps with OneSoil Yield were much more precise.
We sowed the winter crop of 2023 through OneSoil Yield, as it should be, with control lines. We then initiated the spring sowing as well — we prepared task maps for 12,000 hectares.About half of these were spring wheat. Sunflower was the second most common crop, with spring barley also being included.
No, we applied the same rates, but the results differed. In one field, we noticed an increase in yield, while in the other, we merely saved some seeds.
Generally, the subject is complex. Numerous factors affect the yield.
Despite this being our first experiment, we were pleased with the results. The positive outcomes encouraged us to further explore precision farming.
So, you conducted an experiment on two fields, liked the results, and then decided to expand the experiment?
Yes, by 2022 we had already decided to sow more sunflowers using variable-rate technology — approximately 4,000 hectares.
We were designing task maps based on the current vegetation — we chose NDVI images from a specific date. Ultimately, we ended up with very patchy fields with no clear zones.
Why did you decide to try OneSoil Yield?
In 2022, we sowed sunflowers without control lines.
During that period, we had a conversation with Matvey, the manager at OneSoil. We got introduced to the OneSoil Yield functionality. I was particularly impressed by the productivity maps that OneSoil offers.
We sowed the winter crop of 2023 through OneSoil Yield, as it should be, with control lines. We then initiated the spring sowing as well — we prepared task maps for 12,000 hectares.
On the left, you can see the yield map, and on the right, you can see OneSoil productivity zones. They appear quite similar.
How did you assess the quality of maps for variable-rate seeding? Did you compare these maps with yield maps?
We were only able to make such a comparison on a few fields.Here’s another point where we went wrong: we completely forgot that it was necessary to accurately map the yield and monitor it. Now we are planning to upgrade those combines that don’t currently map the yield. In general, we expect that this year we will have precise figures on how much we have earned or saved with OneSoil Yield.
Can you tell us about the equipment? How much effort do you have to put in to get all the functionality you need?
Regarding the equipment, we didn’t really do anything special.We had this equipment from the beginning. We didn’t even know that it could be used for variable-rate seeding. We have Gaspardo Julia, Horsch Avatar, and Pronto seeders. We utilized this equipment for a few seasons, and only in the third or fourth season did we discover that it could perform variable-rate seeding and operate based on prescription maps.
So, most of your equipment can be used for variable-rate seeding?
For seeding — yes.
And what about the combines?
It turns out that 60−70% of our combines are equipped with a yield mapping function.
Many farmers indeed possess equipment that can be utilized for precision farming. They simply need to upload the task map into the tractor and commence variable-rate seeding. However, many are unaware that their equipment possesses this capability.
We were only able to make such a comparison on a few fields.
Can you tell us about the equipment? How much effort do you have to put in to get all the functionality you need?
Regarding the equipment, we didn’t really do anything special.
So, most of your equipment can be used for variable-rate seeding?
For seeding — yes.
And what about the combines?
Many farmers indeed possess equipment that can be utilized for precision farming. T
This combine that knows how to map yield! (by Aitas Agro)
How do you transfer task maps to the equipment?
We use a flash drive.
Don’t you use OneSoil modems?
We have tested them; in principle, we have no complaints about their functionality. The only concern was that it might be a bit difficult for our operators to download a file, copy and paste it, without getting lost in the process. So, for now, to ensure accuracy, we decided to personally use a flash drive and download the data onto the equipment. This is to ensure that the task card is correctly transferred to the equipment.
Do you use any other technologies, like soil analysis?
We’ve only conducted traditional sampling and laboratory analysis, but we are currently actively looking for solutions that would allow us to conduct express analysis directly in the field, on site.
Okay. Back to OneSoil Yield. So, you appreciated that OneSoil Yield provides better productivity zones and offers a clear tool to evaluate the results?
Yes.
It’s interesting to hear about control lines. Not all farmers believe they are necessary. How did you understand that you needed control lines?
We started suspecting the need for control lines right from the beginning. We should have planned how we would calculate the effect of variable-rate technology. We improvised a method, but at the end of the season, when we had yield maps, we couldn’t do anything with them, because we had nothing to compare them with. What can you compare them to if you don’t have control lines?
We use a flash drive.
Don’t you use OneSoil modems?
We have tested them; in principle, we have no complaints about their functionality. The only concern was that it might be a bit difficult for our operators to download a file, copy and paste it, without getting lost in the process. So, for now, to ensure accuracy, we decided to personally use a flash drive and download the data onto the equipment. This is to ensure that the task card is correctly transferred to the equipment.
Do you use any other technologies, like soil analysis?
We’ve only conducted traditional sampling and laboratory analysis, but we are currently actively looking for solutions that would allow us to conduct express analysis directly in the field, on site.
Okay. Back to OneSoil Yield. So, you appreciated that OneSoil Yield provides better productivity zones and offers a clear tool to evaluate the results?
Yes.
It’s interesting to hear about control lines. Not all farmers believe they are necessary. How did you understand that you needed control lines?
We started suspecting the need for control lines right from the beginning. We should have planned how we would calculate the effect of variable-rate technology. We improvised a method, but at the end of the season, when we had yield maps, we couldn’t do anything with them, because we had nothing to compare them with. What can you compare them to if you don’t have control lines?
I think control lines are precisely what will allow you to recalculate the effect into monetary terms.
Great! Sometimes farmers say, "Well, the yields seem to have increased a little bit—and that's good enough for us."
No, that doesn't work for us.It is crucial for us to know specific figures for further decision-making — like equipment purchases. After calculating the effect of the VRA application, we will understand how long it will take to pay off a suitable spreader — and buy it. This point is very important to us.
On average, how do your machines pay for themselves? For example, autopilots.
They pay for themselves within one season. Because our fields have a complex configuration, it is very important for us to ensure that the machinery moves exactly along the set lines. This is crucial not only during seeding, but also during chemical treatment — to prevent unnecessary trampling and to ensure that the machinery follows the same track throughout the season. It's quite straightforward to calculate the cost benefit, and the savings are significant.
How do you preliminarily estimate the results of variable-rate seeding with OneSoil Yield?
Well, we already bought less seed than we initially planned due to the fact that we used variable-rate seeding. We sowed less in low productivity areas and more in high productivity areas. Our average rate decreased, so we purchased fewer seeds in advance. That can already be considered as savings. We'll evaluate the specific figures in the fall.
No, that doesn't work for us.
On average, how do your machines pay for themselves? For example, autopilots.
They pay for themselves within one season. Because our fields have a complex configuration, it is very important for us to ensure that the machinery moves exactly along the set lines. This is crucial not only during seeding, but also during chemical treatment — to prevent unnecessary trampling and to ensure that the machinery follows the same track throughout the season. It's quite straightforward to calculate the cost benefit, and the savings are significant.
How do you preliminarily estimate the results of variable-rate seeding with OneSoil Yield?
The Aitas Agro team during field scouting (by Aitas Agro)
I think you mentioned earlier that you build maps faster with OneSoil Yield — is that accurate?
The quality is primarily better. In terms of speed, it's more or less the same.
For us, Cropwise is the main farming system that works well for us. They offer variable-rate technology maps as an additional feature. We use OneSoil Yield as a specialized solution specifically for precision farming, because the quality of the maps is better.
Generally, the mission of Aitas KZ holding is to serve people of Kazakhstan.At Aitas Agro, we help foster belief in young and innovative agriculture. We possess expertise unique to our country: we're among the few companies proficient in variable-rate seeding and fertilization. We consider ourselves evangelists of the VRA approach in Kazakhstan and help all farmers to learn it! Our team always shares knowledge, so other companies trust us and ask us to conduct their digital transformation. For example, we recently started working with a large Kazakhstani agricultural holding of 140,000 hectares. We are assisting with the implementation of Cropwise, and for variable-rate technology, we advise everyone to utilize OneSoil Yield.
How is your company organized: how many people are involved in precision farming and who is responsible for what?
Five people work in the precision farming department. I am in the role of project manager, and we also have an agronomic service. We unofficially call them agrihackers — they are our specialists in the development of agricultural technologies. I usually discover something new, familiarize myself with it, estimate whether it's worth trying, and then I pass it on to the guys and they implement it. They handle all the charts and assignments for the variable-rate seeding.
The quality is primarily better. In terms of speed, it's more or less the same.
Generally, the mission of Aitas KZ holding is to serve people of Kazakhstan.
How is your company organized: how many people are involved in precision farming and who is responsible for what?
Five people work in the precision farming department. I am in the role of project manager, and we also have an agronomic service. We unofficially call them agrihackers — they are our specialists in the development of agricultural technologies. I usually discover something new, familiarize myself with it, estimate whether it's worth trying, and then I pass it on to the guys and they implement it. They handle all the charts and assignments for the variable-rate seeding.
Aitas Agro team (by Aitas Agro)
Does your agricultural holding find the functionality of OneSoil Yield sufficient?
Absolutely. For instance, it’s very convenient for us as an agricultural holding to create multiple maps with the same norms simultaneously.
And speaking of ease of use: when you introduced OneSoil Yield to your agrihackers, how long did it take them to grasp all the functionality?
Very little time. I had just one call with Matvey from OneSoil. It seems that we spent about half an hour, and that’s all; we had already started creating maps. The interface is extremely intuitive and user-friendly. Furthermore, we have a dealer account, so there have been no troubles so far.
The big plus is that the developers respond very quickly. Just yesterday I encountered an error while connecting the integration to MyJohnDeere. I wrote to Matvey, and he replied just a few hours later that they had already fixed this problem. And everything is working.
Yes, our team resolves any issues at lightning speed.
That is very valuable, indeed.
Let’s recap. What are your main rules of precision farming?
First and foremost, you must always consider your economics.
Absolutely. For instance, it’s very convenient for us as an agricultural holding to create multiple maps with the same norms simultaneously.
And speaking of ease of use: when you introduced OneSoil Yield to your agrihackers, how long did it take them to grasp all the functionality?
Yes, our team resolves any issues at lightning speed.
That is very valuable, indeed.
Let’s recap. What are your main rules of precision farming?
First and foremost, you must always consider your economics.
All decisions you make and all tools you implement should be calculated in advance to ensure they are not a waste of money.
This way, you can clearly understand the desired effect you want to achieve. After implementation, it is crucial to monitor and calculate the actual results. This approach is fundamental to implementing digital solutions, not only in agribusiness but also in other industries. It is essential to always evaluate and assess the outcomes.
What are your future plans with precision farming?
I am eager to delve even deeper into variable-rate technologies: to explore variable-rate fertilizing, pesticide application, and desiccation. It’s difficult to speculate on how it will go. In principle, I initially proceeded from the understanding that the soil is heterogeneous and within one field there are several productivity zones. Therefore, these productivity zones need individual attention, whether it’s seeding, fertilizer, or some other preparations. We can go even further and calculate the economics of each zone in order to manage this effectively.
What are your future plans with precision farming?
I am eager to delve even deeper into variable-rate technologies: to explore variable-rate fertilizing, pesticide application, and desiccation. It’s difficult to speculate on how it will go. In principle, I initially proceeded from the understanding that the soil is heterogeneous and within one field there are several productivity zones. Therefore, these productivity zones need individual attention, whether it’s seeding, fertilizer, or some other preparations. We can go even further and calculate the economics of each zone in order to manage this effectively.
Interview conducted by Anastasiya Novikava
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