Your ultimate guide to satellite imagery in agriculture
Can satellite imagery in agriculture be called a revolutionary technology? Well, it depends. In this piece, we will look at a satellite image from the point of view of a farmer, and a tech provider. Should you strive to get a high-resolution image or it is not necessary for your farm, and do you even need satellite data? Let’s try to figure it out.
What is satellite imagery in agriculture?
Satellite imagery in agriculture refers to the use of data captured by satellites to monitor, analyze, and manage agricultural fields. This technology provides valuable insights into crop health, soil conditions, and resource usage, enabling farmers to make data-driven decisions for improved productivity and sustainability.
Types of satellite data:
| Type of Satellite Data | Description |
| Optical Imagery (Visible Spectrum) | Captures images in the visible light spectrum; useful for assessing vegetation cover and identifying surface-level issues. |
| Infrared Imagery | Detects heat and moisture levels; helps monitor water stress and soil conditions. |
| Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) | Uses radar waves to create detailed images; effective in all weather conditions, including through cloud cover. |
| Multispectral and Hyperspectral Imagery | Captures data across multiple wavelengths; provides detailed information on crop health, nutrient levels, and disease detection. |
Start Small, Scale Smart
How to use satellite imagery to monitor crops during the growing season
The use of satellite imagery has transformed how farmers monitor crops throughout the growing season, offering precise, large-scale insights into field conditions. By employing remote sensing technology, satellites capture high-resolution imagery that helps detect subtle changes in crop health, soil moisture, and vegetation growth.
Satellite images, often delivered in near real-time, provide data that can be analyzed to identify issues like nutrient deficiencies, pest infestations, or water stress before they escalate. Using normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI) and other spectral indices, farmers can pinpoint problem areas within their fields, enabling targeted interventions.
Additionally, the use of satellite imagery allows for effective planning throughout the growing season, such as adjusting irrigation schedules or optimizing fertilizer applications. The scalability of this technology ensures that even large farms can benefit from consistent monitoring, regardless of weather conditions, thanks to radar-based remote sensing that penetrates cloud cover.
Incorporating high-resolution imagery into farm management practices improves efficiency, minimizes resource waste, and enhances overall crop yield, making satellite technology an invaluable tool for modern agriculture.
A practical example of utilizing satellite imagery in agriculture involves a farmer managing a large cornfield. By employing high-resolution satellite images, the farmer can monitor crop health throughout the growing season. These images reveal variations in plant vigor, allowing the farmer to identify areas experiencing stress due to factors like pests, diseases, or water shortages. With this information, the farmer can implement targeted interventions, such as adjusting irrigation or applying fertilizers precisely where needed, leading to improved yields and resource efficiency.
A real-world example of a company providing such services is Planet Labs. Planet offers high-frequency satellite imagery that enables farmers to observe and analyze their fields with remarkable detail. Their platform supports precision agriculture by delivering up-to-date images that assist in monitoring crop health, managing resources, and making informed decisions throughout the growing season.
Precision agriculture with satellite technology
One of the most impactful use cases of satellite imagery in modern farming is precision agriculture. By leveraging advanced data from satellites, farmers can fine-tune their practices to meet the specific needs of their fields. From targeting resource application with variable rate technology (VRT) to monitoring soil health and weather patterns, precision agriculture helps optimize every aspect of farming. Let’s dive into the key applications of satellite imagery in precision agriculture and see how it transforms field management into a science-driven, sustainable practice.
Variable Rate Technology (VRT)
Using satellite image data, farmers can implement variable rate technology to optimize resource use. By analyzing spatial variations in soil fertility and crop needs, VRT enables targeted application of fertilizers, water, and pesticides, promoting sustainable agricultural practices and reducing waste.
Site-Specific Farming Decisions
With the help of one satellite, farmers and agronomists can monitor specific areas of their fields, enabling precise interventions. Satellite images offer insights into crop performance, helping to make informed decisions about planting, harvesting, and resource allocation.
Soil Health Analysis
Through advanced data processing, satellite image data can map soil moisture levels and organic matter distribution. This allows farmers and agronomists to assess soil health across fields, ensuring better land use and addressing potential issues before they escalate.
Climate and Weather Monitoring
Satellites with high spatial resolution provide real-time weather and climate forecasts, allowing farmers and agronomists to plan agricultural activities effectively. This proactive approach minimizes risks from extreme weather and helps address problems early in the growing cycle.
Field Mapping
Using satellite images, farmers can create accurate maps of field boundaries. These maps improve field management, support efficient land use, and enhance the adoption of sustainable agricultural practices by clearly defining areas for specific crops or activities.
Several companies specialize in providing satellite-based solutions for precision agriculture:
Planet Labs. Offers high-frequency satellite imagery that enables farmers to observe and analyze their fields with remarkable detail, supporting precision agriculture by delivering up-to-date images that assist in monitoring crop health, managing resources, and making informed decisions throughout the growing season.
Farmonaut. Provides a precision agriculture platform that utilizes high-resolution satellite imagery to monitor over 1 million acres of farmland globally, offering insights into crop health, soil moisture, and other critical parameters to optimize farming practices.
Satellogic. Delivers high-resolution multispectral and hyperspectral satellite imagery, enabling detailed analysis for various agricultural applications, including crop monitoring and field mapping.
Earth-i. Operating from Canada, Earth-i utilizes Earth observation imagery and data analytics to support precision farming, offering insights that enhance food production and supply chain management.
FarmQA. Based in Fargo, North Dakota, FarmQA integrates satellite imagery into its platform, providing farmers with tools to detect, compare, and verify crop health issues or growth stages in need of treatment, thereby enhancing sustainable management practices.
Is Satellite Imagery Worth It for Farmers?
Satellite imagery has proven to be an invaluable tool for modern agriculture, providing precise, large-scale insights into crop health, soil conditions, and resource allocation. For farmers aiming to optimize productivity, reduce costs, and embrace sustainable practices, this technology is no longer a luxury—it’s a necessity in staying competitive in an evolving agricultural landscape.
By using satellite imagery, farmers can monitor crops more effectively, predict yields, manage water and fertilizer usage, and respond proactively to issues like pests or disease. This data-driven approach ensures better resource efficiency, higher yields, and reduced environmental impact, making farming more sustainable and profitable.
Practical Benefits:
1. Early detection of crop issues like drought stress, nutrient deficiencies, or infestations.
2. Optimized input use, reducing waste and cost.
3. Enhanced decision-making based on accurate, real-time data.
4. Improved field management with precise mapping and analysis.
What Does It Cost? Satellite imagery solution pricing
| Cost Component | Description |
| Subscription Fees | Typically based on the size of the farm and the resolution of the data. |
| Data Processing and Analysis | Additional costs for advanced analytics or integration with farm management systems. |
| Equipment or Software | Some services may require purchasing additional hardware or platforms for integration. |
| Cost Range | Basic services: a few hundred dollars per year for small farms; Advanced systems: several thousand dollars annually for large-scale operations. |
Farmers can adopt satellite imagery technology gradually. Many providers offer scalable solutions, allowing farmers to start with basic monitoring and expand to advanced analytics as their budget or needs grow. By starting small, farmers can test the technology, understand its benefits, and scale up as they see measurable results in productivity and cost savings.
