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Customer Success Story: Silvio Wöllmann, Ackerbau Union Herzsprung

With the help of Stenon's technology Silvio Wöllmann saved around €10,000 on nitrogen fertilizer.

Silvio Wöllmann, an agricultural engineer and farm manager at the Ackerbau Union Herzsprung in Brandenburg, Germany, oversees the cultivation of various specialty crops on 1,700 hectares. His farm grows carrots, potatoes, soybeans, sunflowers, rye, and sweetcorn, requiring meticulous soil and nutrient management.

Challenges

Managing specialty crops demands precise care, as any nutrient deficiency or imbalance can significantly impact yields. Silvio and his team regularly perform multiple soil tests to monitor nutrient levels and respond to unexpected changes in soil conditions. However, the traditional laboratory analysis process presented significant challenges:

High Costs:
"We spend around €16,000 to €17,000 annually on basic nutrient and N-min analyses. For nematode testing, which is particularly expensive, costs can rise to €25,000–€30,000 per year," Silvio explains.

Time Delays:
Traditional lab analyses often take weeks, leaving little room for quick adjustments. "In specialty crop farming, you must act quickly. Waiting too long for results meant missing critical opportunities to intervene," he adds.

Solution

To overcome these hurdles, Silvio integrated Stenon’s FarmLab into his operations, allowing him to conduct real-time soil analysis directly in the field.

"We decided to use the FarmLab year-round to monitor nutrient levels on our fields as needed," Silvio shares.

The FarmLab has transformed his approach to soil management:


Immediate data access:
"When I notice something unusual in the field, I use the FarmLab to take a measurement. By the time I’m back in the office, all the data is already uploaded to the cloud for analysis. That’s what I call timely – very timely."

Intuitive usability:
"The device is intuitive, guiding users seamlessly through the menu. The web app is user-friendly, and everything is easy to find. Compared to complex field management software, it’s far simpler."

Results

The FarmLab has proven to be a game-changer for Silvio’s operation:

Reduced Costs:

We’ve saved around €10,000 to €12,000 just on nitrogen. With real-time data, we discovered certain areas had more nitrogen available than we initially thought.
shares Silvio Wöllmann.

Improved Crop Health:
Silvio now has a clearer understanding of his soil’s condition, enabling precise interventions. "This year, we noticed one area of the field looked worse than the rest. Using the FarmLab, we found the pH level was off in that spot, unlike the rest of the field. That insight shaped our fertilization strategy."

Rapid Problem Solving:
"Knowing why certain plants are stressed – whether it’s nutrient-related or another issue – makes all the difference. The ability to react quickly is invaluable."

For Silvio, the benefits of the FarmLab extend beyond his own farm.

"I’ve already recommended it to others. If you want quick, reliable insights and real-time data for better decision-making, the FarmLab is a must-have." adds Silvio.

"We are thrilled to collaborate with Silvio Wöllmann and the Ackerbau Union Herzsprung," says Niels Grabbert, CEO of Stenon. "By providing fast, actionable data, we enable farmers to make informed decisions that boost efficiency and sustainability – core goals of Stenon’s mission."

Founded in 2018 and headquartered in Potsdam, Germany, Stenon GmbH is the global leader in real-time digital soil data. Our innovative device, FarmLab, provides essential soil insights to optimize yields, improve soil health, and reduce input costs. Designed for input retailers, machinery dealers, agricultural consultants, and food producers, we empower businesses to drive efficiency, sustainability, and success across the agricultural value chain.