Farming

Satellite data for efficient water resource management in agriculture

Published

2 months 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.

Crime

Police offer advice after 60 reports of stolen quad bikes from farms

Published

8 hours ago

November 23, 2024

Tom Sinclair

DYFED-POWYS POLICE is advising the rural community to make sure security measures are in place to protect quad bikes and other farm equipment, in response to a spate of thefts.

There have been over 60 reports of stolen quad bikes across the force in 2024.

Farmers and other owners of quad bikes are reminded to be vigilant of suspicious vehicles and people in their community and to report any concerns to police.

Dyfed-Powys Police has acquired 150 SelectaDNA Rural Kits to support their efforts in combating rural crime. These advanced DNA asset-marking kits will be used to offer free property marking services to farmers, helping them protect their valuable equipment and machinery.

In addition to property marking, our Rural Crime Team officers, who are also qualified Crime Prevention Tactical Advisors (CPTAC), will visit farms to conduct comprehensive crime prevention audits. These audits are designed to ensure farms have the best security measures in place to deter criminal activity and safeguard their livelihoods.

The SelectaDNA Rural Kits use a unique DNA solution that can be applied to tools, vehicles, machinery, and other valuable assets. This marking is virtually invisible but can be detected under UV light, providing an indisputable link between stolen property and its rightful owner. This has proven to be a powerful deterrent against theft and an invaluable tool in recovering stolen items.

Rural communities are often targeted by criminals due to their remote locations and the high value of farming equipment.By offering free property marking and crime prevention visits, Dyfed-Powys Police aim to empower farmers with effective tools and advice to protect their assets and reduce the risk of crime.

Sergeant Paul Roberts from our Rural Crime Team, said: “I ask that local farmers and other quad bike owners take appropriate action to minimise the opportunities of these thefts occurring. This includes removing keys from ignitions after use and locking barns or outbuildings wherever the vehicles may be kept.

“I’m aware that thefts of quad bikes and farming machinery causes disruption to farmers’ work, as well as the financial implications, and I would like to reassure the public that police are thoroughly investigating these matters.

“I encourage anyone living in rural communities to remain vigilant to this type of theft, and to report any suspicious vehicles or behaviour to police either online at: https://bit.ly/DPPContactOnline, by emailing [email protected], or by calling 101. Alternatively, contact the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously by calling 0800 555111, or visiting crimestoppers-uk.org.”

The Rural Crime Team will be attending marts across the force, where community members can bring items such as tools, machinery, and bikes to be marked.

Farmers can also arrange a visit from our Rural Crime Team to mark equipment and conduct a security audit by emailing [email protected]

Visit our website for more information and advice about rural crime and what prevention measure you can take – https://www.dyfed-powys.police.uk/advice/advice-and-information/rc/rural-crime/

Farming

Farmers’ Union recognises lifelong success of leading business founders

Published

5 days ago

November 18, 2024

Tom Sinclair

THE Farmers’ Union of Wales (FUW) presented its ‘Lifetime Achievement Award’ to the founders of a leading North Wales business during a special dinner held at the Kinmel Hotel, Abergele, on Friday, November 8, 2024.

Gareth and Falmai Roberts, founders of the popular yoghurt business Llaeth Y Llan, started their venture in 1985 from a converted cow shed at their farmhouse in Llannefydd, Denbighshire – with the first product trials carried out at the back of their airing cupboard!

Over the past three decades, the business has gone from strength to strength. In 1995, they moved to a modern dairy designed and built using a disused barn and other farm buildings. By 2015, with their brand stocked across Wales in four major retailers and dozens of independent shops, the old dairy had reached full capacity. A larger production facility was designed and built on the Roberts’ farm and was officially opened in 2017 by Lesley Griffiths MS, the then Welsh Government Cabinet Secretary for Environment and Rural Affairs.

The business combines traditional values with modern techniques, producing 14 different yoghurt flavours using Welsh milk sourced from the local area. The yoghurt is sold across Wales and England, with the business having already won the Food Producer of the Year award at the inaugural Wales Food and Drink Awards in 2022.

The FUW Lifetime Achievement Award was presented to Gareth and Falmai Roberts by FUW President Ian Rickman. The evening also featured entertainment from operatic baritone John Ieuan Jones.

Ian Rickman, President of the Farmers’ Union of Wales, said: “The Farmers’ Union of Wales was unanimous in recognising Gareth and Falmai’s incredibly successful business, and we were delighted to host this dinner to honour their achievements and present this award to them.

From producing their first yoghurt pot to their current success as one of Wales’ most renowned food producers, Llaeth Y Llan is an outstanding example of Welsh entrepreneurship, with local farming and food production at the heart of their success.

I congratulate them on this well-deserved achievement, and I have no doubt that their business will continue to grow from strength to strength.”

Proceeds from the dinner and the highly successful auction will be donated to the Dai Jones Memorial Appeal Fund, administered by the Royal Welsh Agricultural Society.

Farming

Farmers fight back: Inheritance tax row at Welsh Labour conference

Published

1 week ago

November 16, 2024

Tom Sinclair

THE Welsh Labour conference in Llandudno, Conwy, on Saturday (Nov 16) became the backdrop for a large and impassioned protest by farmers opposing the Labour government’s controversial inheritance tax changes. Hundreds of farmers descended on the venue with tractors and vehicles, voicing their frustration at what they describe as policies that will devastate rural communities and family farms.

The protest was a coordinated effort by Digon yw Digon (“Enough is Enough”), a group advocating for rural communities. Protesters carried signs reading “Labour War on Countryside” and “No Farmers No Food,” while tractors lined the promenade outside Venue Cymru.

*Farmers gather outside Venue Cymru as the Welsh Labour conference gets underway (Pic: Nigel Roberts/Herald)*

*Aberconwy MS Janet Finch-Saunders joined the farmer’s demonstration outside Welsh Labour’s conference in Llandudno (Image: Supplied)*

Starmer’s absence deepens anger
Farmers had hoped to confront Prime Minister Keir Starmer directly and present their concerns. However, Starmer avoided the protesters, leaving the venue without meeting them. This decision was sharply contrasted by the actions of former Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, who earlier this year attended the Welsh Conservative Conference and took time to speak with farmers about their challenges.

One farmer remarked, “Starmer didn’t have the guts. He left without facing us.”

The farmers’ message
In lieu of a direct meeting, the farmers delivered a strongly worded letter addressed to Starmer, outlining their grievances:

“Dear Prime Minister,

Croeso i Gymru,

Today you can see the depth of feeling and concerns that you are creating as the PM of this country towards the rural areas and farming community.

The outcome of your Budget highlights the government’s incapacity to look at the position as a whole rather than a tick-box exercise to fulfill your selfless ambition.

The inheritance tax debacle highlights this case. This new tax represents a considerable challenge not only for farmers but also the broader agricultural sector. The £1 million threshold is alarmingly low, and many farmers will face impossible decisions to sell portions of their land to cover these costs. This will affect the smaller family farm the most.”

Why farmers are protesting
The changes announced in the Autumn Budget include:

A new 20% inheritance tax on farms valued over £1 million.
Modifications to Agricultural Property Relief (APR) and Business Property Relief (BPR), effective from April 2026.

Farmers fear these changes will force many family-run farms to sell land, leading to reduced food production and driving up food prices.

Becky Wall, a farmer at the protest, made an emotional appeal:
“Please support our farmers; they work hard over long hours to feed us. Without them, we have no food. These changes will also impact small businesses connected to farming, posing a serious threat to our economy and our bellies.”

*Unite members wave flags (Image: Nigel Roberts/Herald)*

Rural Wales under pressure
The letter also highlighted the cumulative challenges faced by Welsh farmers, including the draconian impact of Nitrate Vulnerable Zone (NVZ) regulations, increasing incidences of bovine tuberculosis (TB), and uncertainty surrounding the Sustainable Farming Scheme (SFS).

“This cumulative approach has created despair in the countryside,” the letter continued. “As food supplies decrease, it will become more expensive, and the poorest in society will suffer the most.”

Gareth Wyn Jones, a farmer and broadcaster, expressed the emotional toll on rural communities:
“They’re destroying an industry already on its knees mentally, emotionally, and physically. We need government support, not hindrance, to feed the nation. Enough is enough.”

A strike as a last resort
As frustration boils over, some farmers have announced plans to go on strike starting Sunday. While economically challenging, the strike reflects the growing anger in the countryside.

The protest in Llandudno is part of a larger movement, with a major demonstration planned for Westminster next Tuesday. The event has already drawn so much support that its location was moved from Trafalgar Square to accommodate the expected turnout.

*There were dozens of tractors in Llandudno, Conwy on Saturday (Image: AFP via Getty Images)*

Starmer defends budget
Inside the conference, Starmer defended the Budget, describing it as a tough but necessary measure to stabilise the economy:
“Make no mistake, I will defend our decisions in the Budget all day long. Tough decisions were necessary to protect the payslips of working people, fix the foundations of our economy, and invest in the future of Wales and Britain.”

Starmer also hailed Labour’s collaboration between Westminster and the Welsh government as a “gamechanger,” promising that communities in Wales would benefit from Labour-led governments pulling in the same direction.

*Keir Starmer says that Labour is delivering for Wales, the farmers disagree (Image: PA)*

Investments and promises
Despite the protests, the conference included announcements of major investments:

A £160 million investment zone for Flintshire and Wrexham, described by Starmer as a turning point for the region’s economy.
An additional £22 million to tackle NHS waiting lists in Wales, adding to the £28 million pledged earlier this year.
A record £21 billion Budget allocation for Wales in 2025.

First Minister Eluned Morgan touted the “power in partnership” between the two Labour governments and emphasised their commitment to delivering for Welsh communities.

Farmers and rural advocates insist that their voices will not be ignored. The inheritance tax changes have become a flashpoint for broader frustrations with government policies affecting rural areas.

As the protest letter concluded: “Prime Minister, we ask that you revisit the whole approach to farming and rural communities as a matter of urgency. This is a last resort, but growing anger in the countryside has brought us here. The one thing Labour has achieved is uniting farmers, businesses, and rural communities against these policies.”

With protests expected to intensify in the coming days, the farming community’s fight for their livelihoods and the future of rural Wales continues.