Schreurs & Sons are Precision Farming with Jane’s Weather PRO

Schreurs & Sons is a third-generation, 100% Australian family-owned farming business that specialises in celery, leek, and baby leaf lines, delivering high-quality produce to your table all year-round.

With operations spanning across seven properties, they are among Australia's largest celery suppliers, serving both local and international markets.

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The Challenge is Navigating Weather Sensitivities in Vegetable Farming

In the dynamic field of vegetable farming, precise weather forecasting is crucial. Adam Schreurs, Director of Operations at Schreurs & Sons has several weather challenges;

1. Frost Management
   • A temperature drop to -1°C necessitates frost irrigation for celery, while a slight increase to -0.5°C means it's unnecessary. Accurate frost forecasts are vital to protect crops without wasting resources.
2. Rainfall Prediction
   • Precise rainfall forecasts are essential for irrigation planning and field operations.
3. Pest and Disease Alerts
   • Forecasted conditions conducive to pests and diseases such as downy mildew and bacterial leaf spot are critical for proactive management.
4. Data Integration
   • Incorporating data from multiple on-farm weather stations and into Jane’s Weather to get a hyper local forecast will lead to confident decision-making.

The Solution is Jane’s Weather PRO

To address weather challenges, Schreurs & Sons adopted Jane’s Weather PRO, leveraging its advanced features;

1. Hyper-Local Forecasting
   • By integrating two on-site weather stations, named "Large Dam" and "Small Dam," the platform provides precise, location-specific forecasts, crucial for effective frost and irrigation management across their unique climates.
2. Accurate Rainfall Predictions
   • The platform's rainfall forecasts have proven highly accurate, aiding in efficient water resource management.
3. Disease Modeling and Custom Notifications
   • While Jane’s Weather PRO offers foundational disease models in its API, it also allows users to input custom forecast parameters, enabling tailored notifications for specific conditions ahead that could affect crops.
4. Data Integration Capabilities
   • The platform supports the integration of various weather stations.

“The accuracy is so important to us - minus 1°C means we need to frost irrigate the celery and plus 0.5°C means we don't need to. Jane's rain forecasts have been spot on - within 1mm or so.” - Adam Schreurs

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The Results are Enhanced Operational Efficiency and Crop Protection

Since implementing Jane’s Weather PRO, Schreurs & Sons have experienced significant benefits;

1. Optimised Frost Irrigation
   • Accurate temperature forecasts enable precise frost irrigation, protecting crops and conserving resources.
2. Improved Irrigation Planning
   • Reliable rainfall predictions facilitate efficient water usage, essential for sustainable farming.
3. Proactive Management
   • Customisable notifications and forecast alerts allow timely interventions, safeguarding crop health and yield.
4. Streamlined Data Access
   • Integrating multiple weather data sources into a single platform enhances current awareness and forward decision-making.

Looking Ahead at Continuous Improvement and Collaboration

Schreurs & Sons are committed to advancing their operations through technology. They plan to integrate additional weather stations into Jane’s Weather PRO. Collaborations with industry partners, such as One Harvest, aim to extend these benefits across the wider agricultural community.

“However these new disease model forecasts are implemented in Jane's Weather, I will find them useful.” — Adam Schreurs

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About Schreurs & Sons

Established in 1964, Schreurs & Sons has grown into a leading producer of celery, leek, and baby leaf lines, including spinach, rocket, and snow pea tendrils. With a strong focus on innovation and technology, they are dedicated to delivering high-quality, safe products to customers locally and internationally.

Interested in enhancing your farming operations with precise weather insights?
Explore Jane’s Weather PRO →

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