WASHINGTON, D.C. (RFD News) — Satellite data is giving farmers another way to monitor crop conditions and compare growing seasons across regions, according to Nick Ohrtman with EarthDaily.
“Now, northern Iowa-Minnesota are in really good conditions right now. Their vegetation’s never been bigger or farther ahead in the last five, 10 years, really. It’s about as good as the crops ever looked, as opposed to, you know, you got some areas in northern Indiana and northern Ohio that are lagging a little behind, right?” Ohrtman explains.
He says it can be easy for farmers, including himself, to catastrophize the weather of the current growing season, and this technology allows them to monitor and compare conditions against historical data.
“Looking at the actual data from above and seeing it plotted out and really truly understanding — how does this year compare to the past? What year does this year look like? — is a really valuable tool.”
Ohrtman says satellites can also help farmers decide which areas of their operation need the most attention and where additional investments could pay off.
