Monitoring crops has always been kind of old-school. Right now, around 5,000 reporters across the U.S. literally look at fields, note down what they see, and submit their findings. Important decisions are based on these reports. But it's not always fast, or super accurate.
Enter our heroes, Yu Shen and Xiaoyang Zhang from South Dakota State University. These two wondered if satellites could help watch and report on crops, like a bird's eye view but with sci-fi tech. They figured out a way to use data from satellites to monitor crops - not just historically, but in almost real time.
Instead of waiting for someone to physically check on crops, satellites could give us instant updates. And this isn’t just any update. The new algorithm they've developed is super detailed. It can predict and monitor various growth stages, like when crops are planted, when they emerge, and even when they're ready for harvest, specifically for crops like corn.
They did a test run in Iowa for the 2020 corn and soybean season. The predictions from their high-tech system matched the traditional reports. Shen mentioned, “This tool offers robust crop info, from tiny fields to an entire state." That’s way more detailed than current state-based reports.
The system can even suggest the best time for watering the crops. It's like having a super-smart farming assistant from the future.
Shen believes this will not just help with watering. It might even predict how big the harvest will be before it happens!
Zhang mentioned that this algorithm will soon be a tool for everyone to use, even showing crop conditions on an interactive map.
As for what’s next? They're planning to make this tool even smarter. And who knows? Maybe it'll help ensure everyone around the world has enough to eat.
Photo Credit: gettyimages-scharfsinn86
Categories: South Dakota, Crops