Fertilisation

Fertilising is the largest routine yield improvement. A normal crop can be fertilised twice, with a growth stage between applications. Grass is an exception and normally uses one fertilisation stage. Manure and slurry can use double application rate to reach full fertilisation in one pass where supported.

Lime and ploughing

Apply lime whenever the field information says lime is required. Plough when the field state says ploughing is required; otherwise a lighter cultivation method is usually enough. Ignoring either required state reduces the crop result.

Weeds

Remove weeds early. A weeder handles young weeds, a hoe handles larger weeds, and herbicide is the flexible chemical alternative. Leaving weeds in place reduces the harvest.

Rolling and mulching

Rolling directly after sowing gives a small yield bonus and can press small stones back into the soil. Mulching suitable stubble before cultivation also gives a small bonus for the following harvest. GIANTS Academy describes each as a 2.5% bonus.

Bee pollination

Beehives placed within range improve sunflower yield by 5% and canola and potato yield by 2.5% in the base game, while also producing honey.

Avoid avoidable losses

Harvest before crops wither when seasonal growth is enabled. With crop destruction enabled, avoid driving ordinary tyres through growing crops and use narrow tyres where available for fertilising and weed control.

Procedure

1. Check lime requirement.
2. Check ploughing requirement.
3. Prepare the seedbed.
4. Seed/plant.
5. Roll immediately if desired.
6. Complete first fertiliser stage.
7. Control weeds early.
8. Complete second fertiliser stage after a growth stage.
9. Keep pollinating hives in range for canola, sunflower or potatoes.
10. Harvest inside the crop window.

Equipment & tools

Open an equipment page for what the machine does, how to set it up and how to operate it.

Detailed procedure guides

Practical tips

• If you are chasing maximum yield, the small rolling and mulching bonuses matter most on large areas because the extra pass costs time and fuel.
• A field that does not need lime or ploughing should not receive those passes purely for yield.
• Stone picking mainly protects equipment and clears the field; rolling can push small stones back down.

Research notes