Innovating Micronutrients for Crops
In the evolving world of agriculture, precision and efficiency are paramount. Located in western Canada, DyTerra is cultivating innovation with modern fertilizer solutions. The company specializes in NH3, liquid and granular fertilizer handling equipment, and developed a unique MicroCote® application system to optimize crop growth and soil conditions.
At the heart of this operation lies Rice Lake’s 920i® FlexWeigh filler/batching systems and BenchMark® or Summit® 3000 platform scales. These components are integrated into an OEM blending system known as MicroCote, which is revolutionizing how fertilizer and Micronutrient applications are managed.
Coating fertilizer with micronutrients is becoming an increasingly popular practice for crop producers; however, it requires fine-tuned precision to achieve desired results. Too much or too little of an ingredient can ruin an entire crop. The 920i FlexWeigh with custom programming intelligently manages the blending process to eliminate potential mistakes and deliver consistent results. With multiple configuration options, including fully independent single- or multi-product declining weight batch blending, the 920i FlexWeigh is only one piece of the puzzle.
DyTerra custom-engineered a solution to include Rice Lake’s platform scales, a 264-gallon (1,000-liter) tote, auger, pump and spray bar. The 920i connects via an Ethernet cable to external systems, allowing them to read scale data and adjust settings, including delivery quantities and motor control. This setup allows customers to tailor the system to their specific needs, whether liquid coatings are being delivered to a blender or a multi-product batch is being managed. By controlling actuators and relays, the MicroCote system directs the flow of liquids and, by toggling motors on and off, manages quantities in real-time.
Customization is Key for Customers
“MicroCote is a fully customized solution,” explains Michael Petrov, project manager at DyTerra. “Adapting off-the-shelf technology, like Rice Lake’s indicators and scales, helps us meet unique demands. I especially like the simplicity and flexibility of Rice Lake’s 920i. It’s easy to understand and has been the perfect solution for us.” In an industry where operators range from tech-savvy engineers to hands-on farmers, accessibility and ease-of-use matters.
The OEM MicroCote system uses one of two platform scales, either the BenchMark or Summit. Depending on the customer’s delivery demands, the appropriate scale is selected to match requirements set by Measurement Canada for Legal for Trade certifications. For larger deliveries, the Summit is typically selected, otherwise the BenchMark is used for its increased resolution at smaller deliveries. The result is a batcher that offers durability, precision and reliability—three non-negotiables in modern agriculture.
