Real world results from hyperspectral imaging
UK farmers are invited to examine new evidence on the use of hyperspectral satellite imaging to inform nitrogen management, at a webinar on Thursday 26 February (8.30am).
The British On-Farm Innovation Network (BOFIN) is working with agri-tech company Messium to explore how this next-generation satellite technology performs on commercial farms and the value it can realistically deliver.
Unlike conventional satellite imagery such as NDVI, which measures crop greenness or biomass, hyperspectral imaging can detect the specific wavelengths associated with nitrogen concentration in the crop itself.
“Previous satellite tools couldn’t tell whether a crop was short of nitrogen or just low biomass,” explained Messium CEO George Marangos-Gilks. “Hyperspectral satellites can now do both. That allows us to identify where crops are under or over-fertilised and where nitrogen is likely to lead to an uplift in yield.”
Messium’s approach is underpinned by more than 21,000 crop samples analysed in laboratories and linked to satellite imagery to train its models. Independent blind testing has shown accuracy of around 85% compared with lab results, with further UK validation underway.
Results from more than 150 on-farm trials across the northern hemisphere suggest the technology can help farmers move closer to optimum nitrogen levels. Across its trials, Messium reported a net profit benefit in 65% of cases, with an average yield uplift of 0.3t/ha and margin improvements of around £50/ha.
The live online Q&A session will be held at 8.30am on Thursday February 26. It will include side-by-side comparisons with NDVI imagery and a discussion on costs, complexity and where hyperspectral data may add value. Hosted by Tom Allen-Stevens, Oxfordshire farmer and founder of BOFIN, the session will focus on the farmer experience with input from growers who have first-hand experience of Messium’s technology.
“Nitrogen is one of the biggest cost, productivity and environmental levers on farm, so any tool claiming better insight needs proper scrutiny,” said Tom. “This session is about looking at the evidence, the limitations and how it works in practice on real farms.”
To register for the live Q&A visit www.tinyurl.com/messiumwebinar26