Satellite crop monitoring performs a variety of important tasks, including: evaluation of crop health and field borders, as well as informing its users when something is wrong with the field. However, the big question is how can one benefit from the satellite crop monitoring technology the most? 

 

Today, there are online libraries that provide access to free satellite imagery. However, simply getting the shots is not enough. They often have low quality and require additional processing. 

 

Implementing a modern satellite crop monitoring system is not as difficult as one might have expected. There are platforms that work online - anytime, anywhere. API integration is also viable. For example, EOS Crop Monitoring allows its users to transfer data into various ERP systems that aggregate, store and analyze all business information.

 

There is a common misconception that working with satellite data is extremely pricey and often unaffordable. However, in reality, satellite monitoring usually costs 5-10 times less than usually expected.

 

 

Satellite imagery is a great source of information about the field condition. Data that you get from it allows you to be more informed and insightful even if you operate extra large territories. Moreover, it can help you take timely action when something goes wrong.

 

Satellite crop monitoring replaces field observations and performs the following tasks:

 

 

The platform interface is convenient and easy to use.

Within you will find various tools: scaling, areas processed via vegetation indices and the natural color imagery with roads, rivers, populated areas, etc. The search tab allows you to instantly find a particular location that you may be looking for just by typing in the area name or coordinates.

 

In the API version, you get access to the records provided by various indices: Normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI), normalized difference water index (NDWI), normalized difference snow index (NDSI). Weather features are available as well: historical reports and forecasts, “critical” weather conditions monitoring (winter kill, cold shock index, heat shock index), notification of weather threats.

 

 

So, after you choose a particular field, you get access to various charts with all available data about it: current crop types, a weather report (precipitation, humidity, cloudiness) and a weather forecast. The charts are flexible, and you can use data filters to sort the information.

 

EOS Crop Monitoring is suitable to monitor a large number of fields. You can streamline this process by adding and saving your fields into collections. This feature enables you to get quick updates that provide the essential metrics on how the crop development is going. After checking the weather reports, it is possible to discover new factors that may have contributed to the state of vegetation.

 

After detecting problematic areas, you can have a look at the earlier shots of the same spots. This too is helpful in finding the roots of the problem. The possible range of issues is quite large: low-quality seeding, pests or sickness. If the earlier shots show proper vegetation levels, you can conclude that specific stages such as seeding have been successful, but something went wrong afterwards. Being more aware of the situation at hand helps you make prompt and more informed decisions that lead to better outcomes.

 

Another feature of EOS Crop Monitoring is comparison with data from other fields in the region. It allows you to figure out whether your field is doing well compared to the others of the same crop type.

 

This article is part of a two-part series. You can read the "Benefits of Historical Data" article here.