New paper in Remote Sensing, exploring Precision Ag in the Midwest
Combining aerial and soil mapping in sandy soils.
In this study, we combined high-resolution evapotranspiration (ET) and soil apparent electrical conductivity (ECa) maps and developed some useful guidelines for Precision Ag in the Midwest.
We are excited to be a part of this issue about Multi-Temporal Remote Sensing. Our cool multi-temporal finding is that annual rotations may have different responses to precision ag ON THE SAME FIELD. Potato and sweet corn rotations may require "more precision" than field corn!
Specialty crops may benefit from precision management more than agronomic crops
Funny, how much has changed in the remote piloting world since 2014 when we decided on airplanes for this work. Clouds caused big problems for our aerial remote sensing missions, which is the reason many of our images are cut off in this study. Remotely piloted vehicles have come along way since 2014 and would definitely be the better choice for these types of studies today. It is easy to either fly under a uniform layer of clouds or just wait for a gap in cloud cover over our imaging field. Also, Warning! These guidelines are not intended for saline agroecosystems, new CA friends and colleagues :) Our soil electrical conductivity values were an order of magnitude lower than the values we see out West!