Aerial Imaging Analysis for Viticulture and Enology
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 or your winemaking needs. 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 pruning levels to harvest segmentation.

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.

NASA technology at your door

Developed by NASA for Napa wineries, research strongly supports the use of remote sensing to determine areas within vineyard blocks that are of uniform quality. Many Napa wineries already use this technology and now Precision Ag Consulting is making it available on the Central Coast.

Using this method, Precision Ag Consulting can help you determine which areas in your vineyards will produce the highest quality grapes, as well as refine other vineyard practices. It also helps to:

• Reduce Costs
• Optimize Results

The process can also be as “hands-on” or “hands-off” as you like once a customized plan has been developed for you.

For the grower, aerial imaging can:

• Increase percentage of high quality grapes
• Help produce the highest the highest quality grapes
• Help market the fruit
• Assess and improve management for future seasons, increasing number of high-quality vines

For the wine maker, aerial imaging can:

• Help you identify your “private stash”
• Determine harvest timing within a vineyard
• Determine fruit quality prior to harvest
• Isolate and map areas maturing at different rates
• Assist with the purchasing of fruit to maximize the quality of your wine

How does it work?

There are several steps to the process, which will be designed to specifically suit your needs. But using a sample Central Coast vineyard, 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 identify areas of vigor within a field, and are used to determine 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 viticulturist or laboratory analysis and the information applied to your fields or fruit.

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.