How Many Beacons Are Right for You?

When I hop on a demo call with a prospective Soiltech user, there’s one question I always get:

“How many Beacons do I need?”

It’s by far the most common question—and honestly, I love it. Why? Because it gives me the chance to explain how Soiltech Beacons actually work and how they help you make better decisions, not just collect more data.

Many growers may understand that having soil sensor data could benefit them, but how valuable is that information? Does it outweigh the cost of the sensors? This is a critical consideration when making the decision to add this kind of tech to an operation. Luckily, not only are Soiltech Beacons more affordable than many other options, but they're more versatile as well.

So when I help growers come to a decision on how many sensors they may need, the use of sensors beyond the growing season is a major factor into affordability and is an important piece of the "how many" discussion. Let's get into it!

Not a One-Size-Fits-All Answer

With some soil sensor companies, you might get a quick recommendation like “two per field.” Simple, sure—but not very helpful.

At Soiltech, we take a more thoughtful approach. Our Beacons are like the Swiss Army knife of field sensors. Depending on the type of data you need—whether it’s for irrigation, agronomic decisions, or post-harvest storage—your setup might look a little different.

A Smarter Starting Point

If you’re new to a field, or managing one for the first time, I typically recommend starting with two Beacons per field—one placed above ground, and one below.

Why two? Because that combo gives you a much fuller picture:

• Below-ground: moisture, temperature, electrical conductivity (EC)

• Above-ground: real-time weather conditions like rainfall, temperature, and wind

Together, that data helps you make smarter decisions—when to irrigate, when to spray, where to go next—without guessing. Whether you're a grower or a consultant, this edge can set you apart from the competition.

But Really... It Depends

The best answer is still: it depends.

It depends on:

• Your crop

• Your field’s variability

• Your irrigation setup

• The specific management goals you or your clients have

If you’re dealing with sandy patches, hills, or low-lying areas that behave differently than the rest of the field, it might make sense to add more Beacons. Farmers usually already know where the problem areas are—they just need better visibility into what’s happening there, in real time.

Scaling Up Without Breaking the Budget

One of the biggest advantages of Soiltech is affordability. Because our hardware is priced to scale and we offer add-ons like weather stations and post-harvest storage tools, many growers end up adding more units over time.

The ROI? It often comes from a single smarter decision.

Other ag tech platforms have struggled because:

• They’re expensive to scale

• The data is hard to interpret

• Installation is a hassle

• And most importantly: they’re not built with you in mind

We’ve heard it all: sensors you can’t move, probes that break your back to install, data you don’t trust or know how to use. That’s not Soiltech.

If you’re on the fence, start small. Add a couple of Beacons to your fields, get familiar with the system, and see how it fits into your workflow. Our software is built with farmer know-how—simple, smart, and intuitive. Most growers who start small come back wanting more. Not because they have to, but because they want to fine-tune their operations and make better decisions, season after season.

Quick Reference: How Many Beacons Should You Use?

Here’s a practical guide we share after learning more about a grower’s operation:

• 1 Beacon per zone: If your field has noticeable variation (ponding vs. slopes, sandy vs. heavier soils), place one Beacon in each zone.

• Center-pivot fields: Install 3–5 Beacons spaced evenly along a single pivot row to average conditions.

• Small, uniform fields: 1 Beacon may be enough.

• Large, variable fields: Start with 2–6 Beacons and scale based on zone needs.

• Best practice: Review your data over time. If you’re seeing wide variation between zones, it may be time to add more sensors.

You can also try field variation sampling: place Beacons in high and low spots, wet and dry zones, or areas where soil type changes.

Want help figuring out the best setup for your fields? Let’s talk. Our team is here to make sure you’re getting the most out of every acre.

Schedule a consulting call: https://meetings.hubspot.com/tyson-backer