As a result of the rapid advance in technology and the concurrent progress in farming-practices and instruments, farmers experienced a growing need for agricultural advice and support in this respect. While the department initially merely operated in an advisory capacity, it rapidly expanded to its current position at the forefront of the latest technology - all within six years. In this way OVK became the first agricultural company to develop an irrigation schedule which is able to supply clients with moisture data directly by means of a modem. A scanner is also used to determine soil-physical and soil-chemical factors, as well as the variable application of fertiliser in precision farming.