How can I create and export a variable-rate application map?

With the variable map builder in YaraPlus Atfarm, you can create a variable-rate application map based on satellite analysis of crop growth.

You can then review the map, make adjustments if needed, and export it to your tractor terminal for variable-rate fertilisation in the field.

Before you start

Before creating a variable-rate application map, make sure that:

• Your terminal supports variable-rate application maps and the required file format. Read more
• Your field is at least 1 ha in size and has a minimum width and length of 50 m.
• Your field boundary is drawn correctly and non-crop areas are excluded. Read more
• A crop type has been added to the field and the crop has already been sown.

We don't currently take fertiliser restrictions into account when creating variable-rate application maps. Please make sure your fertiliser application complies with local regulations.

Quick start (5 steps)

1. Open YaraPlus > Atfarm > Tools > Create map
2. Select the field or fields for which you want to create a variable-rate application map
3. Choose the biomass date, growth stage and application strategy
4. Select the fertiliser, enter the target N-rate and click Create variable map
5. Review the map if needed, then export it to your tractor terminal

The map creation flow may differ slightly depending on whether you create a map for a single field or for multiple fields.

Video guide

Watch this video and follow the steps below to learn how to create and export an application map.

Step-by-step

Follow the steps below to create and export an application map.

1. Select field
2. Choose biomass date and strategy
3. Define fertiliser and nitrogen rate
4. Review the application map
5. Export the application map
6. Transfer the map to the terminal

1) Select field

Open the variable map builder and select the field for which you want to create an application map.

Proceed as follows:

1. (Browser only) Hover over the sidebar to expand the menu and select Atfarm.
2. Open the map builder:
   • Web app: Click Tools in the left navigation bar, then click Create map under Variable rate application maps.
   • Mobile app: Tap Activity in the bottom bar. Then tap New activity and select Variable-rate map.
3. Select the field or fields:
   • Web app: Tick the box next to a field or select it on the map.
   • Mobile app: Swipe up the bottom sheet, then tick the box next to a field or select it on the map.
   • Only fields with a crop type will be listed. Read here how to add a crop type.
   • Only fields with supported crops can be selected.
   • Multiple field selection only works for fields with the same region, crop and production goal.
   • Fields with a future seeding date can't be selected.
4. Click Continue.

2) Choose biomass date and strategy

Select the biomass image date, crop growth stage and application strategy.

Proceed as follows:

1. If needed, change the satellite map type.
   • Web app: Select a satellite map type from the dropdown at the bottom right of the map.
   • Mobile app: Swipe down the bottom sheet and change the satellite map type in the Map details dropdown.
   • The selected map is only a reference to help choose the best date.
   • Read here about the available map types.
2. Select a recent biomass map date for each field:
   • Web app: Use the dropdown next to each field.
   • Mobile app: Use the dropdown next to each field in the bottom sheet.
   • Only cloud-free images can be used for map creation. These are marked with a 🔆 icon.
   • For best results, use the most recent image available. Ideally, the image should be no more than five days old.
   • If no clear image is available for more than five days, you may see an option to estimate biomass development based on weather and recent crop growth. This option only appears if a clear image has been taken within the last 21 days. Click Generate map to create a more recent image. See supported crops.
3. Select the growth stage of your crop for the chosen image date.
   • We recommend a growth stage based on your crop type.
   • Only growth stages suitable for variable-rate application can be selected.
4. Select the application strategy.
   • Levelling: Applies higher nitrogen rates to areas with lower biomass (weaker crop growth). This is recommended for earlier applications to improve crop uniformity across the field.
   • Protein boosting: Applies higher nitrogen rates to areas with higher biomass (stronger crop growth). This is recommended for later applications to increase protein in the stronger areas of the field.
   • Depending on the crop type and growth stage, you can either choose the strategy yourself or YaraPlus Atfarm will select the most suitable option automatically.
5. Click Continue.

3) Define fertiliser and nitrogen rate

Select the fertiliser, enter the target nitrogen rate and define the zone settings.

Proceed as follows:

1. Click Select fertiliser and choose the fertiliser to apply.
   • You can choose from a list of Yara fertilisers, generic fertilisers, or your own.
2. Enter the target N-rate in kg N/ha.
   • This is the average nitrogen rate to be applied across the field.
   • Multiple fields selected: Enter the target N-rate in the corresponding input field, then click Set to all to apply it to all selected fields. Alternatively, click the pen icon next to a field to enter a different rate for that field only.
   • You can use the Yara N-Tester to determine the optimal nitrogen rate for your next application. Then click Select N-Recommendation and choose a recommendation.
3. Enter the lower and upper limit in kg N/ha.
   • Multiple fields selected: Enter the limits in the corresponding input fields, then click Set to all to apply them to all selected fields. Alternatively, click the pen icon next to a field to set different limits for that field only.
   • The lower limit should be at least 10 kg N/ha below the target N-rate.
   • The upper limit should be at least 10 kg N/ha above the target N-rate.
   • These limits define the minimum and maximum application rates allowed for the selected strategy.
   • If calculated rates fall outside these limits, they are adjusted to the defined range.
   • For Levelling, the lower limit applies to areas with high biomass/N-uptake and also to areas with exceptionally low biomass/N-uptake (<30 % of the average field N-uptake).
   • For Protein boosting, the lower limit applies to areas with low biomass/N-uptake.
4. Select the number of zones (colours) to divide your field into.
   • You can choose between four and seven zones. More zones allow for more detailed variation in nitrogen rates.
   • One zone is always a zero N-rate zone (0 kg N/ha). This zone can be used to mark areas where no fertiliser should be applied. This zone is automatically included and can't be changed.
   • All other zones represent different nitrogen rates (kg N/ha) and corresponding fertiliser rates (kg/ha).
5. Click Create variable map.

Your saved application maps are available under Atfarm > Tools > Performed actions > Variable maps, as well as on the field page under Actions.

4) Review the application map

After clicking Create variable map, what happens next depends on whether you created a map for a single field or for multiple fields.

• Single field map
• Multiple field maps

Single field map

If you created a map for a single field, the review screen opens automatically.

You can review the following information:

• Fertiliser: Fertiliser name, average N in kg/ha, total N in kg and total fertiliser in kg
• Strategy: Strategy type, map type, number of zones, zone size and growth stage
• Zones: Colour legend with nitrogen rate and fertiliser rate in kg/ha
• Read how map types and zones work

If necessary, you can edit the map before exporting it:

1. Click Edit zones.
2. Edit the zone values:
   1. Select the nitrogen or fertiliser tab.
   2. Click on a nitrogen or fertiliser value for a zone.
   3. Enter the new value to change the application rate for that zone.
   • Editing a nitrogen value updates the corresponding fertiliser value and vice versa.
3. (Optional – web app only) Use the brush tool to change the zone colours on the map:
   1. Click Brush tool at the bottom of the map.
   2. Select a zone colour.
   3. Click on a zone on the map to assign it the selected colour.
   • Move the map by first disabling the brush and then clicking and dragging. Zoom with the mouse wheel or the + and - buttons.
   • Click Undo to revert your last change.
   • Click Start over to discard all changes and start again.
4. Change the map type if needed.
   • High precision: Recommended for automatic variable-rate application.
   • Simplified: Recommended for manual variable-rate application.
5. Click Save.

After reviewing the map, you can export it directly by clicking Export.

Multiple field maps

If you created maps for multiple fields, you'll see two options:

• Export – go directly to the export screen
• Back to tools – return to the list of created maps

If you select Back to tools, you can review the created maps later.

To open a created map:

1. Go to Tools > Performed actions > Variable maps.
2. Open the application map you want to review.

The review screen shows the same information and editing options described above.

5) Export the application map

Once you're satisfied with the application map, export it and transfer it to your tractor terminal.

• Export a single map
• Export multiple maps
• Select export format
• Transfer the map to the terminal

Export a single map

You can export a single map directly from the review screen:

1. Click Export.
2. Select the export method or file type. Read on Select export format.

Export multiple maps (bulk export)

If you want to export several maps at once, use the bulk export option.

1. Go to Tools > Performed actions > Variable maps.
2. Click Bulk actions, then select Export variable-rate maps.
3. Select the maps you want to export.
4. Click Continue.
5. Select the export method or file type. Read on Select export format.

Select export format

Choose the export format required by your terminal:

• ISO XML
• Shapefile
• John Deere Operations Center™ – wireless upload option for fields imported from John Deere Operations Center™. This creates and pre-fills a new work plan. Once uploaded, click View work plan to continue directly in John Deere Operations Center™.

To check which file format your terminal requires, read the equipment compatibility article here.

6) Transfer the map to the terminal

Once the application files have been generated, proceed as follows:

1. Click Download next to a field and save the file to your computer. Repeat this process for all fields.
   • If you're using the mobile app, you can also download the file to your mobile device, but manual transfer is usually easier on a computer.
   • Don't rename the ZIP folder or the files inside it. Otherwise, the terminal may not recognise them.
2. Extract the downloaded ZIP file.
   • Most terminals require unzipped files.
   • Some terminals require zipped files (for example Valtra). If this applies to your terminal, skip this step.
   • You can find instructions for extracting ZIP files on Windows here and on Mac here. Mobile instructions can be found here for Android and here for iOS.
3. Copy the files to an empty USB drive.
   • Don't put unrelated files on the USB drive, as this may make it harder for the terminal to recognise the application files.
   • You can store Shapefile application files for several fields on one USB drive.
   • Don't store ISO XML application files for several fields on one USB drive at the same time. Transfer them one by one instead.
4. Connect the USB drive to the terminal.
5. Load the files in the terminal.

The application zones and the corresponding application rates will then appear on the terminal screen.

If you need help loading the file, consult your terminal manual or contact our support team.

Troubleshooting

If you're stuck, start with the quick fixes below.

• Map creation
• Editing
• Export and terminal

Map creation

Map creation unsuccessful	Try creating the map again with a different biomass date.
Map was created with only one colour (flat rate map)	This can happen if there is not enough crop variation to detect, for example, due to insufficient satellite image quality. What you can do: Keep the flat rate map as it is. Click Regenerate map and select a different biomass date or number of zones. Manually edit the map using Edit flat rate and the brush tool (web app only).
Map zones don't match what I see in the field	This is normal. Application zones are based on satellite biomass data and represent general crop variation. Zone boundaries may not exactly match visible transitions in the field.
Map extends beyond the field boundary	This is normal. YaraPlus Atfarm uses a boundary handling algorithm to ensure application rates are calculated only within the field boundary. Learn more

Editing

Edit zones button is greyed out	The map can't be edited because it's already linked to an applied fertilisation event.
I can't use the brush tool	This tool is only available in the web app.

Export and terminal

Map download unsuccessful	This may be a temporary issue. Please try again later.
Terminal doesn't recognise the file	Don't rename the ZIP folder or the files inside it. Also make sure you selected the correct export format (ISO XML or Shapefile).
Application map doesn't appear correctly on the terminal	Copy the exported files to an empty USB drive and load them according to your terminal manual.

If you still need help, please contact our support team. To help us investigate faster, please tell us which terminal, spreader or sprayer, and file format you're using.