Amazone EasyMatch: AI Steps Into The Fertiliser Shed

There is a familiar moment in every fertiliser season. The truck tips a load into the shed, the product looks slightly different to the last batch and someone asks the quiet question. Is this exactly what we think it is and how should the spreader be set. In an industry where accuracy matters and margins are tight, guessing is no longer acceptable. That is where Amazone’s new EasyMatch system steps in bringing artificial intelligence into what has traditionally been a very practical, hands-on process.

Unveiled at Agritechnica 2025 and awarded a DLG silver medal, EasyMatch is an AI-based fertiliser recognition system that identifies a product from nothing more than a photo. From 1 January 2026 it will be available as a free update within the mySpreader App, expanding the digital toolkit available to Amazone fertiliser spreader operators.

The principle is straightforward but technically sophisticated. Using artificial intelligence and a simple reference template, EasyMatch creates a digital fingerprint of the fertiliser captured in the image. That fingerprint is then compared with Amazone’s extensive fertiliser database. Within seconds, the system identifies the most likely match and delivers the corresponding spreader settings at the touch of a button. Crucially, it works even if the fertiliser name is unknown.

For contractors and large-scale operators this is more than a convenience. Fertiliser quality can vary between suppliers and even between batches. Granule size, density and surface characteristics all influence spread pattern and accuracy. Traditionally that has meant relying on bag labels, supplier information or manual testing. EasyMatch removes much of the uncertainty and provides a quick, reliable basic setting that can be applied immediately.

The reference template, available through local Amazone sales partners, plays a key role in ensuring consistency. By photographing the fertiliser alongside the template, the system is able to assess granule size and characteristics accurately, allowing the AI engine to make meaningful comparisons within the database. The outcome is a fast, data-backed recommendation rather than an educated guess.

Importantly, EasyMatch integrates seamlessly with the existing mySpreader App rather than operating as a standalone feature. That integration is significant because the app has already become the central adjustment tool for Amazone spreaders. Operators can access machine-specific setting data, calibration guidance and performance support directly from their phone or tablet. The addition of AI-driven fertiliser recognition strengthens that ecosystem rather than complicating it.

When combined with the proven EasyMix function for blended fertilisers and the EasyCheck digital test kit, the system becomes even more powerful. EasyMix allows users to set and evaluate blended fertiliser products with precision, while EasyCheck provides a practical digital method for verifying spread patterns. Together with EasyMatch, these tools create a closed loop of identification, adjustment and verification. The result is a more controlled and confident fertiliser application process.

From a practical standpoint, the benefits are clear. EasyMatch saves time by eliminating lengthy searches through setting charts or uncertainty around product identification. It increases accuracy by basing spreader settings on database-backed analysis rather than visual judgement alone. Most importantly, it improves fertilisation efficiency by helping ensure nutrients are applied evenly and at the correct rate from the outset.

The system is compatible with any Amazone fertiliser spreader from the current product range, meaning existing customers can benefit from the update without investing in new hardware. That compatibility reflects a broader trend within agricultural engineering, where digital upgrades increasingly extend the life and capability of existing machines.

For New Zealand conditions, where fertiliser spreading often takes place across varied terrain and changing weather windows, speed and accuracy are critical. Contractors in particular operate under tight timeframes and cannot afford repeated passes due to poor initial settings. An AI-supported recommendation delivered in seconds has obvious appeal.

At the same time, EasyMatch does not replace operator judgement. It provides a precise starting point; a basic setting derived from analysis and experience built into the database. Final adjustments can still be made according to local conditions, machine wear and field verification. In that sense it supports the operator rather than overrides them.

There is also a wider efficiency story at play. As nutrient management regulations tighten and environmental scrutiny increases, the ability to document and justify application settings becomes more important. Digital tools that improve accuracy and reduce the risk of over-application contribute directly to both economic and environmental performance.

From January 2026, a simple app update will unlock this capability for Amazone users. In practical terms, it means that a smartphone in the fertiliser shed becomes a powerful diagnostic tool. Take a photo, confirm the match and apply the recommended settings. The process is intuitive and designed to fit naturally into existing workflows rather than disrupt them.

The fertiliser shed has always been a place of practical decision-making. What EasyMatch represents is the quiet arrival of artificial intelligence into that environment, not as a headline-grabbing novelty but as a functional, time-saving and accuracy-enhancing tool. It reflects a future where decades of agronomic and engineering expertise are packaged into digital systems that support the operator on the ground.