Aerial Imaging Analysis for Cotton Production
Not Just Pretty Pictures

Now, for the first time, all of the pieces of the Precision Farming puzzle are readily available and fit together in an affordable, practical application.

Precision Ag Consulting is one of the only ag consulting services in the San Joaquin Valley and Central Coast region who can bring all of this technology together to benefit your farming operation. In today’s increasingly complex agricultural climate, you shouldn’t be asking whether you need precision farming services, but whether you can afford to farm without it.

What is it?

Aerial imaging analysis, also known as “Remote Sensing” analysis and/or precision farming is one of the newest tools available to serious growers. This technology combines multi-spectral imaging with data collected right from your fields, to allow you to make accurate decisions on everything from seeding rates to plant growth regulators in cotton fields.

The experts at Precision Ag Consulting have found that the information obtained from the multi-spectral images is an asset to precision farm management techniques and invaluable for day-to-day management.

Benefits of Aerial Imaging for Cotton Production

Combined with variable rate application technology, growers can reduce the size of management areas, which allows them to apply materials to just the areas that need it, optimizing results and reducing costs.

By reducing the size of management areas and applying materials just where they’re needed, this innovative approach can be used to:

• Estimate yields and seeding rates
• Determine rate applications for fertilizers, PGRs, herbicides, Gypsum, and sulfur
• Discover irrigation water distribution uniformity problems
• Develop field sampling plans
• Locate problem areas and determine their extent

How does it work in cotton?

There are several steps to the process, which will be designed to specifically suit your needs. But using a sample SJV cotton field, here’s a look at six of the most essential steps.

Step 1 — Remote Sensing

This is the collection of information about your field(s) obtained from either an aerial or satellite image.

It will look something like this:

Step 2 — Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI)

Next, the raw image is mathematically manipulated and converted into a NDVI image, which identifies areas of vigor within a field.

These images are useful in determining which zones are growing rapidly and those with low vigor.

Step 3 — Geographic Information Systems

GIS is the collection and management of information about fields, which is accurately referenced to specific locations using a Global Positioning System (GPS).

Step 4— Zone Map

The NDVI image is then converted to a Zone Map, which can be used to identify areas (zones) within fields that are similar in properties such as salinity, texture, fertility, maturity, yield potential and much, much more.

Step 5— Ground-Truthing

This is an ESSENTIAL part of the Precision Farming process. Here, characteristics of the zones are interpreted by an agronomist or laboratory analysis.

Step 6— Variable Rate Applicator Map

This map is developed from the Zone Map and Ground-Truthing information to identify what specific rates of inputs are to be applied to each of the designated zones.

Can I afford it?

Yes! For the first time, all of the pieces of the Precision Farming puzzle are readily available and affordable. And in today’s farming climate, the question you should ask yourself is whether you can afford to farm without it.

Where do I start?

The best place to begin your Precision Farming practice is with Precision Ag Consulting. Even though the images can be inexpensive and easy to obtain, they really are “just pretty pictures” unless you are equipped and able to gather the ground-truthing information and accurately and efficiently manipulate the data.

That’s where we come in. The professionals at Precision Ag Consulting have all of the latest equipment to convert existing or new images into the maps and information you need to begin making the most detailed and accurate decisions you can make for your business.

Each application of the process is unique to the needs of your farming operation. Call today for a free consultation and quote.