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Farming

Satellite data for efficient water resource management in agriculture

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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

Welsh Government pressed on impact of new farming tax

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THE Welsh Government have been urged to clarify how many farms in Wales will be affected by the Family Farm Tax.

The calls come after farming unions rebuked claims from the UK Labour Government and Welsh Secretary Jo Stevens that only a minority of farmers will be affected by the new inheritance tax rules.

The UK Labour Government has come under heavy criticism following the announcement by Chancellor Rachel Reeves that farmers would have to pay a 20% tax on farms worth more than £1m.

When questioned on Sunday Politics about the potential impact of the new tax laws on Welsh Farmers, Welsh Secretary Jo Stevens claimed that “Three quarters of farmers will be unaffected”.

The treasury has yet to publish an estimate around the impact that the new tax laws will have on Welsh farms.

Both the FUW and NFU Cymru have expressed their concerns at the changes made by the UK Government, stating that it will cause “lasting damage to Welsh farming.”

The Welsh Lib Dems have now called on the Welsh Government to clarify how many farms in Wales will be impacted by the new Family Farm Tax rules.

Party leader Jane Dodds MS has written to the Cabinet Secretary for Climate Change and Rural Affairs Huw Irranca-Davies to express her concern over the “untold damage that farming communities throughout Wales will face as a consequence of the UK Government’s most recent budget”.

In the same letter, Jane Dodds MS pressed Mr Irranca-Davies to confirm how many Welsh farms will be affected by the new inheritance laws.

“We cannot afford to leave our farming communities in the dark when it comes to the impact of this potentially devasting new tax law” said Jane Dodds MS.

Both our farmers and the Welsh Public deserve to know the truth that lies behind Labour’s claims that only a small amount of farmers will be impacted by the Family Farm Tax. Claims that, I should add, have already been disputed by both NFU Cymru and the FUW.

The uncertainty surrounding these new inheritance laws will place more unnecessary pressure on farmers across Wales, many of whom are already struggling under a cloud of financial pressures.”

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Farming

Pembrokeshire farmer’s award for outstanding service to Welsh dairy industry

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DAIRY farmer, Stephen James, from Gelliolau farm in Clunderwen, Pemborkeshire has been presented the FUW Outstanding Service to the Welsh Dairy Industry award at the Welsh Dairy Show 2024 in Carmarthen.

Presenting Stephen with the award will be FUW President Ian Rickman during the Welsh Dairy Show held at the United Counties Showground in Nantyci, Carmarthen on Tuesday 22 October 2024.

Ian Rickman, FUW President said: “The judging panel were delighted with the nominations this year, but Stephen’s diligent and relentless work for over 20 years representing the industry in a public role on the issue of Bovine TB in particular placed him on top.

“A worthy winner, Stephen has used his own experience of dealing with TB on his own farm business, having been in and out of restrictions for over a quarter of a century, to highlight the main issues that affect Welsh farmers, publicly.”

Stephen is Chairman of the Wales Animal Health and Welfare Framework a position he has held since July 2018. As Chairman, working closely with Wales’ Chief Veterinary Officer, Stephen works to make improvements in standards of animal health and welfare across Wales.

He has also been a leading figure in representing the concerns of Welsh farming to the Government. As an industry representative on the Welsh Government TB programme board, he has undertaken countless bilingual media interviews to local, national and international broadcasters. He highlights the impact the disease has on farming families and the need for the Welsh Government to implement a Comprehensive TB Eradication Strategy.

On winning the award, Stephen James said: “Receiving this award is a huge privilege. It was quite a shock to hear the news. I am extremely grateful to receive the award, especially at an event that is so close to my heart and is so important to the milk sector in Wales. Thank you so much for the honour.”

Stephen James has held a wide range of positions within NFU Cymru from Local Branch Chairman to President (2014 – 2018). He has worked on a number of significant policy areas including the Common Agricultural Policy Reform and Brexit, dairy issues and an influential figure during the trying times of the 2012 milk crisis. Stephen, alongside other UK farming union leaders, addressed the July 2012 dairy farmers Westminster Hall Rally.

Passionate about supporting the next generation of farmers, Stephen shared the responsibility for his farm business at Gelliolau to his son, Daniel, at a young age. He has been heavily involved with the Wales Young Farmers, both locally and nationally holding a number of positions including Pembrokeshire County Chairman, Pembrokeshire County President and Wales YFC Council member.

A long standing member of First Milk and a Director and past Chairman of Clynderwen and Cardiganshire Farmers, he truly believes in the values and principles of co-operative organisations.

He is former President of the Pembrokeshire Agricultural Society, a President and active Board Member of Clunderwen Show Society, a past Chair of Clunderwen Community Council and member and past Chairman of Narberth Grassland Society. Stephen James is also a Fellow of the Royal Agricultural Societies.

Ian Rickman concluded: “Stephen James has truly made an outstanding contribution to the Welsh Dairy Industry. We are delighted to present him with this FUW award in recognition of the years of work he has carried out on behalf of Welsh farmers. On behalf of the FUW, I congratulate and thank Stephen for his work.”

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Farming

Community farm brings support and skills to veterans in Pembrokeshire

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A COMMUNITY farm in Pembrokeshire is making a difference for veterans and vulnerable individuals by blending nature-based activities with therapeutic support.

Founded by Daisy Coleman in 2019, Redberth Croft CIC became an officially registered Community Interest Company in 2024. Since its inception, the farm has offered a host of engaging activities, from gardening therapy and animal-assisted sessions to creative workshops and rural skills training, all aimed at fostering resilience and personal growth.

One of its standout initiatives, ‘Hedging Your Vets,’ received support from the Port of Milford Haven Community Fund. This unique project provides veterans with training in traditional hedgelaying—a skill that preserves biodiversity while promoting mental wellbeing. Running throughout the winter, the programme equips participants with practical skills that open pathways to potential employment in conservation and sustainable agriculture.

To further its mission, Redberth Croft CIC collaborates with organisations such as The VC Gallery and The Tenby Project. Together, they work with local authorities to deliver day services that enhance inclusion and accessibility for individuals facing learning disabilities and mental health challenges.

More than just a farm, Redberth Croft CIC serves as a community hub, offering a supportive space for individuals with complex needs to build confidence, learn new skills, and form meaningful connections. Its core belief is that green health initiatives and nature-based therapies can offer significant therapeutic benefits to those in need.

For those interested in participating in the ‘Hedging Your Vets’ project or other future courses, further details can be found on Redberth Croft CIC’s website and social media channels.

Through its work, Redberth Croft CIC is cultivating a compassionate and resilient community in Pembrokeshire, promoting both personal growth and environmental conservation in a safe, welcoming environment.

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