Join us at the upcoming webinar: ‘Satellite 2.0: Detecting nitrogen in crops from space’
Farmers interested in cutting-edge technology are invited to a webinar exploring the potential opportunities of hyperspectral satellite imaging for optimising fertiliser use.
As the only satellite technology able to detect the specific wavelengths required for remote crop nitrogen analysis, hyperspectral imaging has ‘game-changing potential’ believes UK agri-tech start-up Messium, which is co-hosting the webinar with The British On-Farm Innovation Network (BOFIN).
“Previous generations of satellites couldn’t detect nitrogen in the crop – only biomass,” said Messium CEO George Marangos-Gilks. “Hyperspectral satellites are able to do both making this a game changer for farmers wanting to make best use of nitrogen applications.
“Whats more, commercial hyperspectral satellites are now available at scale, meaning that the value is there for farmers now.”
Integrating this data with leading crop growth models and real-time weather information, gives farmers actionable insight to improve the Nitrogen Use Efficiency of their crops, he explained.
The virtual event ‘Satellite 2.0: Detecting nitrogen in crops from space’ at 8.30am on Wednesday 29thJanuary will explain the science behind the technology and optimal fertiliser use. Attendees will also hear from a farmer involved in Messium’s 2024 commercial pilot which involved 40 farms and saw an average 29% improvement in Nitrogen Use Efficiency (NUE).
“This led to an average uplift in profit of 7%, where the technology was correcting under-fertilisation, and 12% where cropped areas had previously been over-fertilised,” continued George Marangos-Gilks.
Tom Allen-Stevens, Founder of BOFIN said: “It’s essential that farmers can make best use of the latest technology if they are to increase productivity and sustainability in 2025 and beyond. Satellite technology has become part of the toolkit for UK farmers seeking precision application, so hyperspectral imaging should be of huge interest to those wanting to take their production to the next level.”
To register or for more information click the button below:
Notes to editors
Press enquiries to Clemmie Gleeson clemmie@bofin.org.uk
Photo of George Marangos-Gilks and a QR code for the booking page are available HERE
About BOFIN:
- The British On-Farm Innovation Network (BOFIN) was founded in September 2020 by Tom Allen-Stevens to represent farmers who carry out their own on-farm trials.
- The network currently has over 500 farmers within a total membership of around 3500. The rest are scientists, knowledge exchange managers, industry innovators and a large following of citizen scientists.
- Membership of BOFIN is free and there is no obligation to carry out on-farm trials, or to get involved. But for those who do, the aim for BOFIN Farmers is to seek a more scientific approach to on-farm trials. We encourage collaboration, discussion, and offer a platform to share ideas and for these to be valued.
- BOFIN Farmers have a bent for pre-commercial technology. We seek a more sustainable, resilient path for agriculture, both for the UK and worldwide. But the journey to get there should be exciting, inspiring and exhilarating.
- Find out more and join at www.bofin.org.uk
About Messium:
- Messium is an agri-tech start-up backed by Innovate UK, and the UK & European Space Agencies.
- It uses cutting-edge hyperspectral satellites and crop models to offer accurate and frequent insights to growers on the level of Nitrogen in wheat crops. With these insights, growers can optimise their fertiliser regimes to maximise yield and protein, minimise waste, and reduce harmful emissions.
- The Messium model has been rigorously trained on 13,000+ samples from more than 300 trial sites in 23 countries, including 50 strip trials with rate-specific recommendations.
- It’s 2024 commercial pilot involved 40 farms with more farms taking part in 2025.
- Find out more at www.messium.co.uk