BASF launches xarvio SCOUTING app for Australian growers, crop technicians and advisors

Date:03-17-2022

BASF Digital Farming GmbH, part of BASF’s Agricultural Solutions division, has officially launched its xarvio^® SCOUTING smartphone application (app) to support Australian growers, crop technicians, and agronomists. The app, which is free to download and use, has been specifically configured to accurately identify significant local weeds and diseases impacting key broadacre crops such as wheat, barley, and canola.

Developed by agronomists and farmers, xarvio SCOUTING uses an advanced plant modelling platform powered by live algorithms that continually improve precision and functionality through machine learning and data sharing. It can instantly detect in-field stress and calculate leaf damage by simply taking a picture with a smartphone. A unique community-based radar function allows growers to see threats in surrounding fields and notifies them once a threat is close to their area, so they can act.

“xarvio SCOUTING is developed for agronomists, crop technicians and farmers to easily identify and document problems in the field. You simply take a photo and instantly receive the result. Armed with this information in-field issues can be more accurately diagnosed and better decisions can be made on appropriate treatments and timing,” said Gavin Jackson, Head of Agricultural Solutions, BASF Australia and New Zealand.

Saving time spent on scouting expeditions and increasing growers’ and advisors’ access to detailed and beneficial information, xarvio SCOUTING is widely recognised as the most comprehensive, automated, agronomic problem identifier available globally. The app can identify more than 400 weed types and recognise damages caused by more than 400 different diseases, pests, and nutrient deficiencies in over 60 different crops. It is currently used by over six million farmers and consultants across more than 100 countries, with these numbers growing daily.

“We are confident that xarvio SCOUTING will be well-received and used in Australia. And as more and more growers and advisors use it and submit images of their crops, weeds and pests, the app’s accuracy will continually improve and deliver relevant results,” added Jackson.

The BASF xarvio SCOUTING app is currently able to identify more than 400 types of weeds and can also recognise damages caused by over 400 different diseases, pests and nutrient deficiencies in more than 60 different crops