Biobest has introduced a major update to its Crop-Scanner™ digital scouting tool, adding powerful new GPS-enabled capabilities to help growers collect more consistent, accurate and valuable scouting data.
“With this latest release, we’re adding Geo Scout GPS functionality to Crop-Scanner™, making scouting faster, more consistent and insightful through three significant enhancements,” says Jolien Bisschop, Product manager High-Tech IPM & Nematodes at Biobest. “These improve visibility of scouting activities, streamline data collection and provide clearer geospatial insights. Together, these new features help users spend less time recording information, while gaining greater confidence in the quality and consistency of scouting across their crops.”
Bringing GPS to Crop-Scanner™
With the introduction of GPS-powered scouting, Crop-Scanner™ makes it easier and more intuitive to capture and visualize observations directly in the field. The new Geo Scout mode brings location-aware scouting to Crop-Scanner™, helping scouts work more efficiently while giving teams a clearer view of where observations were made and which areas have been covered. GPS data is seamlessly integrated into the existing IPM workflow, connecting field observations with their location for a more complete view of scouting activities. Geo Scout is designed to provide the accuracy needed for efficient scouting, with positioning precision depending on the device and GPS signal available.
Better visibility in scouting performance
The powerful new web feature, Scout Activity, provides complete visibility into how scouting is being carried out across each growing phase. Users can review the time spent scouting, walking speed and area coverage for every scouting session. This makes it much easier to assess consistency and ensure crops are monitored thoroughly.
“For growers managing multiple scouts, or large production areas, this provides a clear overview of scouting performance,” says Jolien. “It helps identify opportunities to improve efficiency and maintain consistent scouting standards.”
Faster data collection
With this latest release, recording widespread pest pressure issues across long crop rows is quicker, and easier, thanks to Geo Scout Multi-Post Scouting.
Previously, scouts needed to manually select each post as they moved through a crop. The new functionality automatically records observations at predefined intervals, as the scout walks through the crop. Allowing multiple posts to be monitored during a single scouting pass, this reduces manual input while maintaining accurate location data.
“Even our favourite Multi-Post feature has had a GPS update, giving scouts more freedom to focus on what’s happening in the crop while Crop-Scanner™ takes care of the location recording,” says Jolien.
Satellite imagery for clearer field insights
Crop-Scanner™ users can now access satellite imagery across most rural production sites.
The satellite maps provide clear aerial views that make it easier to visualise crop locations, interpret Geo Scout observations and navigate production areas with greater confidence.
The imagery is available automatically wherever satellite maps are supported, with no additional configuration required.
“These latest developments reinforce Crop-Scanner™ as a powerful digital scouting tool, helping growers improve scouting efficiency, maintain consistency across teams and make more informed crop management decisions,” says Jolien.
For further information about the new GPS functionality, or assistance with configuring Crop-Scanner™, please contact your local Biobest advisor.
Discover what’s new in Crop-Scanner™ : https://youtu.be/wVOZIRh2xQc