Fertilizer use is relatively new in Argentina. There has been little opportunity to create soil fertility patterns through the application or misapplication of fertilizer. My observation is that the natural soil variability in Argentina is substantial, even on the flat, apparently homogenous pampas, where characteristics like salinity and small differences in topography can greatly influence yields. In Argentina, farm management and equipment operation are often separate enterprises. Many farm operations, including planting, are done by custom operators.
Many producers own almost no equipment.
For yield monitoring, custom harvesting can pose a problem. Combine operators are often employees of the custom harvesting business. They often have only a grade school education and have never used a computer. They are motivated to harvest as much grain as they can, as quickly as possible. They are not necessarily motivated to collect good data.