Farming

Satellite data for efficient water resource management in agriculture

Published

2 years ago

September 16, 2024

Making the most of water in farming is key to keeping food supply sustainable and protecting the environment. By using water wisely and precisely instead of overapplying it, farmland owners can stop soil from wearing away and grow more crops, helping to meet the rising need for food around the world.

This is where remote agriculture monitoring solutions are needed. Satellites provide farmers with real-time insights into soil moisture levels, crop health monitoring, and weather conditions, enabling precise irrigation strategies. Such a far-from-traditional approach not only conserves water but also boosts agricultural productivity. Farm monitoring software can continuously monitor soil moisture levels and make farming more efficient and resilient, securing future food supplies while minimizing water waste.

By leveraging satellite technology for remote soil moisture monitoring, farming can become more efficient and resilient, securing future food supplies while minimizing water waste.

Why it’s important

In agriculture, soil moisture analytics of the field helps to manage water efficiently for sustainable farming. Therefore, crops get the right level of water. Good management increases crop production by allowing the correct level of water to be applied on the crops and stopping the stresses on the plants due to low or high water levels, making them stressed or washing out some nutrients useful for growth. By tapping into advanced satellite soil moisture analytics, farmers are empowered to make data-driven decisions leading to healthier plants and productive harvests.

Beyond returns, efficient water use continues to be sustainable considering that it makes sure the availability of water resources is conserved and also that the soil remains fertile and productive for future planting seasons. Proper water management also takes care of environmental conservation: it ensures that ecosystems are not destroyed and that biodiversity is maintained, mitigating the effects of climate change. For example, lesser instances of water wastage and runoff protect local rivers and lakes from the destruction of habitat for wildlife.

In essence, efficient water resource management, underpinned by smart soil moisture analytics, is about more than just growing crops — it’s about nurturing a sustainable future. By optimizing water use, we ensure abundant harvests, safeguard our environment, and build resilient agricultural systems for the years to come.

How satellite data enhances water resource management

Irrigated agriculture today accounts for a staggering 70% of all freshwater withdrawals globally. However, not all of this water nourishes crops. In traditional systems, over 50% often returns to rivers or groundwater, unused by plants. This return flow, while reusable downstream, highlights inefficiencies in water use.

Monitoring water productivity in agriculture — how much crop is produced per unit of water — is essential for improving these efficiencies. Advancements in earth observation technology, particularly monitoring soil moisture using remote sensing, now make it possible to track critical data for sustainable agricultural practices and natural resource management.

Evapotranspiration, which encompasses both soil evaporation and plant transpiration, can be measured via satellites. Similarly, plant growth and health are accessible through this technology. By increasing crop biomass or reducing water usage, we can enhance water productivity. This progress is vital for ensuring sustainable water use in agriculture and securing food supplies for an ever-growing population.

Example of successful implementation

The application of remote sensing in soil moisture management has already proven its effectiveness through different cases. Let’s discuss some of them.

Australia’s Murray-Darling Basin

In Australia, the Murray-Darling Basin is a critical agricultural region where water scarcity is a persistent challenge. By utilizing satellite data to monitor soil moisture and evapotranspiration, farmers have been able to optimize irrigation schedules. This has resulted in a 20% increase in water use efficiency, reducing overall water consumption while maintaining crop yields. The benefits include enhanced water conservation and improved crop productivity, ensuring the region’s agricultural sustainability.

California’s Central Valley

In California’s Central Valley, satellite data has been used to monitor crop health and soil moisture. This information allows farmers to implement precision irrigation, targeting only the areas that need water. As a result, water usage has decreased by 30%, and crop yields have increased by 15%. The implementation of these technologies has led to significant water savings and improved agricultural output, demonstrating the power of satellite data in modern farming practices.

Primo Principio and EOSDA Crop Monitoring

Primo Principio, an Italy-based company, has made strides in improving vineyard management using the EOSDA Crop Monitoring platform. Grapes, a particularly demanding crop, require meticulous irrigation and disease prevention efforts. In Italy, where weather patterns are unpredictable, Primo Principio’s model has helped farmers receive timely alerts about water and disease stress in their fields, aiding in irrigation and crop treatment decisions.

However, the need for a more precise approach led Primo Principio to adopt EOSDA Crop Monitoring. This platform provides detailed soil moisture maps and other critical data, enabling early detection of plant stress and more accurate irrigation and treatment processes.

With EOSDA Crop Monitoring, Primo Principio has enhanced its model to deliver geo-specific information, pinpointing areas within fields experiencing issues such as pests or extreme weather. This precision is crucial for effective irrigation and disease prevention. The integration of Variable Rate Application (VRA) maps, which include vegetation indices like NDVI and NDMI, has further refined their approach, allowing for precise liquid spraying and treatment applications.

Since May 2023, Primo Principio has been using EOSDA Crop Monitoring, receiving positive feedback from their clients. Approximately 30 clients, managing fields ranging from 0.17 to 104 hectares, now benefit from the platform. Weekly or bi-weekly reports featuring multi-layered maps provide detailed insights into vegetation and moisture levels, helping farmers make informed decisions. This innovative approach has empowered farmers to apply treatments and irrigation more precisely, enhancing water productivity and sustainability in Italian vineyards.

Challenges and solutions

It is with satellite-based remote sensing that the efforts towards the study of peatlands have been revolutionized, providing a huge extent of detailed views over such complex ecosystems. Due to the wide coverage characteristic of satellite-based remote sensing, together with cost-effectiveness and seasonal and spatial variation capture, it is unrivaled for peatland mapping, vegetation monitoring, and estimation of carbon stocks.

However, challenges remain regarding the enhancement of in situ calibration and validation, local factor integration, and detailed in situ data. This demands that the right vegetation indices, spectral bands, and processing techniques are utilized to ensure effective crop monitoring.

There are, however, lingering problems in classifying accuracies, penetration into vegetation, and quantification below ground. Improvement in technology is required to integrate data from multiple sensors, with better algorithms, and validation on the ground with site-specific makes consideration.

In this regard, the upcoming hyperspectral satellite missions like EnMAP, PRISMA, and CHIME hold great promise for peatland monitoring. These datasets can enable species-level analysis, but precise measurement of key plant spectral properties is essential to unlock their full potential.

Farming

Wet winter raises grass tetany risk for Pembrokeshire flocks

Published

1 hour ago

March 24, 2026

Tom Sinclair

Farmers urged to act as magnesium levels in grazing ewes fall

SHEEP farmers across Pembrokeshire are being warned of an increased risk of magnesium deficiency in lactating ewes this spring, following months of heavy winter rainfall.

The condition, known as grass tetany, can lead to reduced milk production and poor lamb performance if not addressed early.

Dr Alison Bond, Technical Services Manager at Rumenco, said wet conditions over the winter are likely to have depleted key minerals in grazing land.

She said: “Excessive rainfall can leach magnesium from soils, meaning levels in spring grass may be lower than usual. At the same time, fast-growing grass can dilute mineral content, increasing the risk of deficiency.”

Typical spring grazing may not provide enough magnesium to meet a ewe’s needs. A lactating ewe requires around 4g per day, but grass alone often supplies only half that amount.

Dr Bond warned that even before obvious symptoms appear, flocks may already be suffering hidden losses.

She said: “Reduced feed intake, lower milk yield, loss of condition and increased disease risk can all occur. By the time clinical signs are visible, the impact on productivity is already significant.”

Other seasonal factors, including late frosts and fertiliser use, can further limit magnesium uptake in grass.

Farmers are being advised to take preventative action by providing supplementary magnesium during high-risk periods.

Dr Bond said: “Routine supplementation is the most effective strategy. It helps prevent both sub-clinical losses and more serious cases of grass tetany.”

Magnesium can be provided through mineral blocks or buckets, which allow free access for grazing animals and require minimal labour.

With lambing season underway, farmers are being urged to monitor flocks closely and ensure nutritional needs are being met to protect both ewe health and lamb growth.

Farming

Benefits of breeding for wool quality explained as global demand rises

Published

22 hours ago

March 23, 2026

Tom Sinclair

AS GLOBAL demand for sustainable textiles continues to grow, wool is presenting farmers with a renewed opportunity to increase revenue by improving flock quality.

Competition shearer and sheep farmer Matt Smith has been working for several years to enhance the value of wool from his Romney flock. However, he believes it could take another decade before he achieves the level of fleece quality needed to deliver a significant uplift in returns.

“We have invested heavily in genetics, particularly to improve micron density within the flock,” he said. “High-quality wool is in demand for premium, sustainable clothing, and better micron density combined with a higher comfort factor will always attract stronger prices.”

While his flock already produces wool that commands a good return, Smith believes there is further potential—particularly with the introduction of new technology that allows more precise measurement of wool quality.

“I have been fortunate to trial a new handheld device from Woven Optics, which measures micron and comfort factor in real time,” he explained. “It has allowed me to clearly see how breeding decisions are influencing wool quality.”

Developed in Australia, the Woven Optics device is designed for use in a range of conditions and has proven to be an accurate on-farm testing tool. In the UK, the company has partnered with Heiniger to bring the technology to farmers.

“I have been working with Hefin Rowlands from Heiniger to monitor our Romneys using the device,” Smith added. “While it represents a significant investment, it is small compared to what we already spend on genetics.”

He believes the technology offers farmers a practical way to track improvements and better understand how breeding choices impact wool value.

“It is an enabler,” he said. “Having the ability to test wool on farm in seconds could help shift the industry back towards prioritising wool as a key genetic trait.”

Smith argues that this shift is not just about profitability, but also about animal health and long-term sustainability.

“In recent years, breeding has focused heavily on carcass weight to meet market demand for larger cuts of meat, and wool quality has been overlooked,” he said. “That has had unintended consequences.”

Drawing on his experience as a contract shearer across the UK, Smith has observed a decline in fleece quality in many flocks.

“I am seeing more yellowing in fleeces and a stronger odour, which can increase susceptibility to fly problems,” he said.

He warns that neglecting wool quality may also be contributing to a growing reliance on chemicals, antibiotics and anthelmintics—raising concerns about resistance and animal welfare.

“As a sheep breeding nation, we risk forgetting how important wool quality is to overall sheep health,” he added. “Changes in fleece condition, combined with warmer temperatures, can increase flystrike risk. By breeding for better wool, we can reduce these issues and cut reliance on pharmaceuticals.”

Smith believes that embracing technology such as the Woven Optics device could help reverse current trends.

“Breeding in the wrong direction is not sustainable,” he said. “By improving wool quality, farmers can produce healthier, more valuable sheep. The tools are now available, and the opportunity is there to restore wool as a priority within UK sheep farming.”

Business

205-unit storage site at Pembrokeshire farm submitted to planners

Published

1 day ago

March 23, 2026

Bruce Sinclair - Local Democracy Reporter

A CALL to allow a Pembrokeshire farm to keep a storage facility for more than 200 caravans, boats, cars and farm machines as a form of diversification has been submitted to county planners.

In an application to Pembrokeshire County Council, Mr & Mrs Davies, through agent A.D Architectural Design Consultants Ltd, seek retrospective permission for a farm diversification scheme to accommodate the storage of caravans, boats, cars and farm machinery in four of eight agricultural sheds and on hard-standing concrete courtyards at Froghall Farm, Spittal.

The works were completed back in 2019.

A supporting statement accompanying the application said: “At present, four of the eight shed structures on the site form part of the caravan and boat storage scheme, with additional touring caravans stored externally on the concrete courtyards.”

It said the storage provision was split as follows: Shed 1 – farm workshop, and 30 caravans, motorhomes, boats & cars; shed 2 – 16 caravans; shed 3 – 28 caravans, motorhomes, boats & cars – 28; shed 8 – cubicle shed, 11 units of farm machines, motorhomes & caravans; courtyard storage of 120 touring caravans, for an overall storage of 205 units.

The statement added: “It would take place in an accessible location, would incorporate sustainable transport and accessibility principles and would not result in a detrimental impact on highway safety or in traffic exceeding the capacity of the highway network; access road is a no-through road with no increase in traffic due to the nature of development.

“There won’t be a constant stream/flow of traffic as the site’s used for storage. Our client offers a towing service to sites in and around Pembrokeshire, which is used by 45 per cent of their customers, who are unable or prefer not to tow themselves. This gives our client control over the flow of traffic.”

The application will be considered by county planners at a later date.