Crop health surveys in the Fraser Valley
Plant Health - an entire field at a glance !
What is being shown in my Plant Health maps?
Our aerial cameras capture three bands of light. Plant Health maps demonstrate the relative health of vegetation within the map by comparing the value of each band.
Healthier vegetation reflects more of certain types of light than unhealthy vegetation. These specialised cameras capture either: Red, Green, and Blue light OR some combination of Near-Infrared, Green, and Blue light.
The image data is processed using several well known algorithms:
The traditional formula for NDVI compares Near Infrared and Blue light. It is great for measuring healthy, green vegetation over a wide range of conditions.
Below is an NDVI map calculated with the standard formula. We'll use this to compare to the other formulas in order to present different aspects of your data.
VARI was designed and tested to work with RGB data rather than near-infrared (NIR) data. It is a measure of "how green" an image is. VARI is not intended as a substitute for a NIR camera, but it is meaningful when working with non-NDVI imagery. The VARI index was developed on measurement of corn and soybean crops in the Midwestern United States.
ENDVI includes a comparison of Green light in addition to NIR, Red, and Blue in order to give a more sensitive result. This isolates the indicators of plant health, and can be used to assess the presence and health of a crop.
Notice the darker reds that create more contrast compared to the above NDVI image.
OSAVI is a variation of SAVI, with a lower calibration factor. Using OSAVI, there is more variation with the soil than with SAVI, but it is also more sensitive to vegetation. In the example below, we see more subtle vegetation differences with OSAVI than with SAVI above. OSAVI would work well in an area with a dense canopy and a wider spectrum of vegetation.
OSAVI is more sensitive to vegetation than SAVI and would work well in denser canopies.
RDVI is similar to SAVI in that it suppresses the effects of soil and sun. Unlike SAVI, however, it does not work as well in sparsely vegetated or dry areas.
VARI is the only vegetation index that is significant when mapping with RGB cameras. Developed based on measurements of corn and soybeans in Nebraska and wheat in Israel (Gitelson et. al 2002), VARI measures the reflectance of vegetation versus soil.
This information is also available from our friends at http://DroneDeploy.com We use DroneDeploy software to manage our flightplans and AgVault software to process the image data.
Agricultural crop surveys in the Fraser Valley
Final season survey before leaf drop. Near Chilliwack, BC
High Definition 1.8Gb image processed with ENDVI of blueberry fields in winter showing areas with different vegetation densities and weed cover
High definition stitched image from 450 individual 12Mp images. When magnified, individual plants can be identified.
A terrain model developed from elevation data. Total survey flight time for 45 Acres - approximately 30 minutes.
Drainage paths created from elevation data gathered during a crop survey
ENDVI + Normalised Green image identifying Active growth (Yellow and Green) and Stressed/Shaded/Bare areas (Red)
ENDVI + Normalised Red & Green image identifying Active growth (Yellow and Green) and Stressed/Shaded/Bare areas (Red)
This survey was taken the same day the hay was cut, clearly showing the difference between the damaged (red) and growing (yellow, green) areas
VARI shows the relative reflectance between the vegetation and the soil. Particularly useful when measuring canopy spread in plantations such as corn and grains.
A beautiful day near Abbotsford, BC
Soil damage affecting 75, 6Yr Highcrop Blueberries. Lost yield between 300 and 450 pounds.
Late season survey of 160 Acres. Abbotsford, BC
Call 778 808 3125 to reserve your Winter Bare survey in time for the 2018 growing season !
Winter Bare surveys are conducted after leaf drop and before the first spring growth.
During a survey we map and record your property perimeter using precision GPS systems and we work with you to identify "watch areas" to mark locations where variations in the crop types, varietals and ages occur.
The map is then used to create a standard flight plan for your property, so that each time during the season when the survey is flown, the sensors will follow precisely the same flight path as before. Over the course of the growing season you can watch the week to week changes over your fields, quickly spotting areas that need your attention.
The Winter Bare survey clearly shows differences across the field, highlighting areas where plant density, weed growth, soil damage and drainage problems exist.
Book your Winter Bare survey now
ALL DATA COLLECTED DURING AGRICULTURAL SURVEYS IS CONFIDENTIAL AND IS THE PROPERTY OF THE LANDOWNER/GROWER
HIGHCEE WILL NOT DISCLOSE ANY INFORMATION GATHERED DURING FLIGHT OPERATIONS UNLESS EXPLICIT CONSENT IS GRANTED.
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