Find location

To get started with Crop Monitoring, you need to find the Location first. Please choose one of the options:

1. Use Search box

Enter the geographical name of an object into the Search box.

2. Use coordinates

Enter the coordinates of an object into the Search box, longitude first, latitude last.

Note: For longitudes south of the equator, put a “-” (minus) before the number. Likewise, for latitudes west of the Greenwich Meridian, put a “-” (minus) before the number.

Zoom tool

Zoom in (“+”) and out (“-”) is for easier navigation (same functionality is allowed by using a mouse wheel).

Distance and area measurements

The measure distance tool (left sidebar) is designed to calculate the total area of a field or measure distance between objects. Outline your field or measure the distance to get the result displayed at the bottom of the screen.

Split view

The Split view feature allows you to compare vegetation indices for the selected field for different dates. This provides an opportunity to track the change dynamics of the state of crops on the field over time, based on the values of 5 different vegetation indices to detect problems and plan field activities effectively.

To get started, select the field you want to analyze from your Fields list and click on the Split view icon on the left side menu.

Your screen will be split into two equal parts.

Now you can select indices and dates to compare the data. To do this, use individual timelines and the index switching panel.

If necessary, you can expand the legend to check the values for the selected index, just like in the single view mode.

Note: By default, the NDVI values for the date of the last available image will be displayed for the selected field.

To select the necessary image date, you can also use the calendar, where the dates of available images are highlighted in white.

When you hover the cursor over any point within the field, the values of the selected indices for this point will be displayed on the map synchronously on both screens. This allows you to compare the index values for the same point within the field but for different dates.

For example, to see how the vegetation has been developing on your field, select NDVI for both viewers and switch between dates in the timeline. This way you can identify areas of the field with the most or least uniform vegetation and identify areas that require your attention the most.

Note: The historical data on vegetation index values goes back 5 years.

In the same way, you can track how the state of the vegetation on the field has been changing, based on the values of other available indices, including NDMI moisture index. With the help of this index, you can identify the threat of water stress and effectively plan out irrigation.

You can also select and compare different indices in each viewer. It’s helpful for more complex field analysis since to see a complete picture of your crop’s health, one index may not be enough. For example, at the early stages of crop development, the presence of bare soil can affect the accuracy of NDVI. Therefore, it makes sense to compare NDVI with other vegetation indices for the same field and date.

By comparing different vegetation indices, you can visualize and analyze the current state of crops, given the crop type and the growth stage.

For example, here you see two different vegetation indices for the same field and for the same date.

You can also download data by clicking on the download button next to the index name.

To return to single view mode, click on the corresponding icon on the left side menu.

Layers – an integrated analysis of crop health on one screen

The Layers feature allows you to visualize and analyze the state of crops in all of your fields at the same time. To do that, you simply need to switch between 5 parameters or Layers – My Crops, Vegetation, Water Stress, Vegetation Rating, and Crop Classification in a convenient drop-down menu.

The system only selects images with less than 90% cloudiness depicting all of your fields. Cloudy locations will be marked with the corresponding mask. To see your fields, you need to zoom in and go from the pins to the fields’ outlines.

You can also sort the data by crop and year using the filter in the right side menu. This will give you the opportunity to analyze the history of the development of a particular crop in all of your fields at once over 5 years in terms of the selected layer. The obtained data will help you identify problem fields and make reliable decisions, as well as effectively plan crop rotation and field activities.

My Crops layer

The first layer on the Layers list is My Crops. When this layer is selected, the fields are displayed on the map classified by crops. This enables you to see an overall picture of crops distribution among your fields. Each crop is given a corresponding color, which is displayed in the legend in the lower right corner of the screen. By default, the map displays the most recently planted crops for all of the fields.

You can select the crop and the year by using a special filter.

Thanks to the visualization of crop rotation for the last 5 years on the screen, you can make better-informed planting decisions.

Vegetation layer

This layer shows the vegetation level in all of your fields at the same time, based on the NDVI vegetation index values. For each field, the system displays the average index value and highlights it with a specific color. Each color corresponds to one of the 10 specific ranges of values displayed in the legend in the lower right corner of the screen. Seeing these NDVI ranges on the screen allows you to comprehensively analyze the state of vegetation in all your fields at the same time, identify problem fields or a group of fields, and, overall, effectively plan actions for further monitoring.

If you want to analyze a specific field or group of fields, click “Select group” using the filter in the right side menu.

When you select a field on the map, you automatically switch to the monitoring view of this field according to the NDVI index values for the date you have selected.

Note: You can also create a new field group based on the vegetation data for different fields.

Vegetation data by default is displayed based on the last available field image.

Note: Available images are the images that have all of your fields at once. Cloudy locations will be marked with a corresponding mask.

To view any previous image, select the date in the timeline at the bottom of the screen.

Note: Pictures taken over a year ago are available to Pro users only.

Note: If a field or group of fields has exceeded the field acreage limit of your subscription plan, these fields will be marked with a Pro icon.

While in the Vegetation layer, you can also use a special filter to select the crop and the year. This will allow you to analyze the fields both in terms of a specific crop and vegetation at the same time. This data will help you discover the relationship between the vegetation in the field and the crop it is planted with. This will enable you to make reliable decisions about field activities.

Water Stress layer

The Water Stress layer displays the moisture level in plants in all of your fields based on the NDMI values. For each field, the system displays the average value of the index and highlights it with a specific color. Each color corresponds to one of the 10 specific ranges of values displayed in the legend in the lower right corner of the screen. This makes it possible to analyze the moisture level for all of your fields at the same time, identify problem areas – lack or excess of moisture – and effectively plan irrigation in the future.

Use the filter on the right side menu to view moisture levels for a specific field, crop, and year.

When you select a field on the map, you automatically switch to the monitoring view of this field according to the NDMI index values for the date you have selected.

Moisture level data is displayed by default based on the last available field image.

Note: Available images are the images that have all of your fields at once. Cloudy locations will be marked with a corresponding mask.

Note: The Water Stress layer is available to Pro users only.

Vegetation Rating layer

The Fields Rating layer is analogous to Field Leaderboard. This layer displays all of your fields according to the average value of the NDVI index. This allows you to visualize the productivity data from all of your fields on one screen.

The data for average NDVI values is displayed by default based on the most recent field image available.

Note: Available images are the images that have all of your fields at once. Cloudy locations will be marked with a corresponding mask.

You can also select field, crop and year by selecting the necessary options from the right side menu.

Note: The Vegetation Rating layer is available to Pro users only.

Crop Classification layer

The Crop Classification layer is only available in Ukraine and displays the location of all the crops for the whole country, according to the classification map created by EOS. The list of available crops is displayed in the lower right corner of the screen, instead of the vegetation index legend.

Note: In the Crop Classification layer, you can filter out the fields only by season.

You can also add any field that appears on the map in this layer to your Field List. To do so, select the necessary field on the map and click on it.

Click Add Field to add the field to the system.

Note: Crop Classification layer is available to Pro users only.

Contrast view

Switch between Standard and Contrast views of the field on the map by clicking on the corresponding icon in the lower right corner of the map.

When the Contrast view is activated, the icon appears blue.

Standard VS Contrast view: What’s the difference?

Standard view is best applied when the values of a given index vary greatly across the field, covering almost a full standard value range. For NDVI*, it is -1 to 1. On the map, you will see smooth transitions of different shades of red, yellow, and green**, without much contrast, if any at all.

*Standard range can vary depending on the index.

**NDMI is represented by different shades of blue.

Contrast view, on the other hand, solves the issue of visualizing low variability of the index values in the field when there is a need to highlight the differences.

Each shade in the palette on the map corresponds to the available index value. In Standard view, low variability of the index values will be displayed as a collection of several similar shades. To better highlight the differences, and detect the problem areas in the field, you need to enable the Contrast view. In this case, instead of a collection of shades blending with one another on the map, you will see distinctly different colors, revealing previously unnoticed issues with crops.

Contrast view is applicable to all the indices available in our product, including the NDMI moisture index.

In order to access satellite images of your fields, get the weather forecast and other data, you need to add fields to your account first. There are several available options:

• Draw field on map
• Upload fields
• Custom upload (contact us)

Start by clicking +ADD FIELD located in the right bottom corner of your screen.

A window with available options should pop up.

Upload fields

This option allows you to upload files containing pre-drawn field contours to the system. Currently, Crop Monitoring supports 4 different format types: .shp, .kml, .kmz, .geojson.

You can either drag-and-drop files onto the web page or click Add your fields.

As soon as the field contours appear on the map along with the field card data in the right sidebar menu, click ADD TO MY FIELDS to complete the operation.

Or you can click Cancel (located just below the ADD TO MY FIELDS button) to abort.

A modal window will offer you two choices:

• SAVE AND CONTINUE. Press this button to automatically add the uploaded field to the list.
• DELETE AND CONTINUE. Hit this button if you don’t want to add the uploaded field to the list.

Add more information about the newly uploaded field to ensure maximum efficiency of monitoring.

• Field Name (for your convenience)
• Group Name (to better organize your fields in the list)
• Crop Rotation data* (to manage your fields by the crop name, sowing date, and season.

*Accurate monitoring of vegetation development depends on the correctness of crop rotation data.

Draw field

The Draw polygon option is employed to contour and add your field to the map.

After it’s done, click the SAVE TO MY FIELDS button and give the new field a name, select crop name, sowing date, and season of its cultivation. Then click SAVE to add a field to your Field List.

Field right sidebar menu section

Utilize the field right sidebar menu section to track, review or change activities related to your field with the features designed in Crop monitoring which are Edit field, Crop rotation, Weather today, and Scouting tasks.

Edit field

You can edit your fields whenever you need by going to a three dots menu, then Edit on your Field List.

Or Edit on the right of the field card.

Crop rotation

Crop rotation data displays historical crop types that used to grow on the field as well as the current growing crop type. This information is extremely useful. For instance, sugar beet planted on the same field two years in a row can cause diseases of the crops that’ll grow there afterwards. Correct crop rotation data includes 3 components: name of the crop, sowing date, and the season when the crop was or is going to be harvested.

Note: It is necessary you click on the exact sowing date in the calendar box. Make sure the selected date looks blue in the calendar. 

Weather today

Log in every morning to follow the weather:

• Temperature
• Wind speed and direction
• Humidity
• Clouds
• Precipitation

This will help you stay up-to-date and react to changes in a timely manner.

E.g. You’ve planned to apply fertilizer and it is going to rain.

Scouting tasks

In order to send a scout to the field, you should create a scouting task. This task is automatically sent to the mobile application where a scout can pick it up for further execution. To perform the action, click the + ADD NEW TASK button at the bottom of the Task list or assign a task by selecting one of your fields.

Drop a pointer on the area you want to inspect and the New task window pops up. It contains the preview of your field with a pointer and field coordinates. Fill in the appropriate boxes with Task name, Description, and Assignee, and click SAVE. Once it’s done, the task immediately appears on your task list, as well as on the mobile application connected to your account.

Raster image

Currently we use Sentinel-2 sensor and satellite images with no more than 60% cloudiness. In this way, the collected statistics includes representative selection and excludes outside factors.

Indices

Below are the most commonly used vegetation indices that are presented in Crop Monitoring:

NDVI or Normalized Difference Vegetation Index

NDVI is calculated according to the way a plant reflects and absorbs solar radiation at different wavelengths. The index allows for identification of problem areas of the field at different stages of plant growth for timely response. Pay attention to the areas where NDVI values differ considerably. For example, the areas of a field that have an extremely low NDVI rate may indicate problems with pests or plant diseases; and the areas with an abnormally high NDVI signalize the occurrence of weeds.

NDRE or Normalized Difference RedEdge*

NDRE is an indicator of photosynthetic activity of a vegetation cover used to estimate nitrogen concentrations in plant leaves in the middle and at the end of a season. It allows you to detect the oppressed and aging vegetation and is used to identify plant diseases. It also makes it possible to optimize the timing of the harvest.

*The red-edge band is a narrow band in the vegetation reflectance spectrum between the transition of red to near infra-red.

MSAVI or Modified Soil-Adjusted Vegetation Index

MSAVI allows you to determine the presence of vegetation in the early stages of emergence when there is a lot of bare soil. The index minimizes the effect of bare soil on the display of vegetation maps. Based on the index, you can build maps for differential fertilizer application in the early stages of crop growth.

ReCI or Red-edge Chlorophyll Index

ReCI is an index of photosynthetic activity of a vegetative cover, sensitive to the content of chlorophyll in leaves. Since the level of chlorophyll is directly related to the level of nitrogen in the crop, the index allows you to identify the areas of the field that have yellow or faded leaves, which may require additional fertilizer application.

Currently, one moisture index is available on the platform:

NDMI or Normalized Difference Moisture Index

NDMI describes the crop’s water stress level and is calculated as the ratio between the difference and the sum of the refracted radiation in the near-infrared and SWIR spectrums. The interpretation of the absolute value of the NDMI makes it possible to immediately recognize the areas in which the farm or field is experiencing water stress. NDMI is easy to interpret: its values vary between -1 and 1, and each value corresponds to a different agronomic situation, independently of the crop

NDVI, NDRE, MSAVI, ReCI, NDMI are indices that can be selected either from the left drop-down menu or the three-dots menu on the small panel above the analytics window.

Download

Using a small panel above the analytics window, you are able to download e.g. the NDVI map in .tiff or .shp formats. Shape format gives you the pixel-by-value NDVI at each point and TIFF format shows a regular image with the NDVI applied.

Statistics

To expand the statistics to check the index of your field, use the small panel above the analytics window. Statistics can be displayed in hectares or percentage.

Cloudiness

We do not upload satellite images with more than 60% cloudiness. When using an index, there should be no outside factors that can influence the whole picture. With this said, we consider the possibility of getting value from 60% cloudy images as a positive one. Statistics displays in ha and percentage. Clouds are displayed as a white mask over the field.

Date line

Shows all images that are less than 60% cloudy. When you pick a date, you see a satellite image with an index applied for that day.

Note: You can see an image preview by hovering over the date on the timeline. 

Basic Layer: Elevation map

Elevation map is a digital model that visualizes differences in elevation across your field. The model allows agronomists to detect potentially problem areas of the field:

• flood hazards
• limited access to water
• erosion risks

and other types.

Combined with other data (NDVI, productivity map, and others), elevation map helps to identify and eliminate factors which impede vegetation development.

This model also allows you to measure field area with more accuracy. It is crucial to know the exact area of your field to correctly calculate the amount of seedlings, fuel, and time required to perform field activities.

How to find the elevation map?

By default, you see the NDVI values of your field on the map. In order to see the differences in elevation, click on the index panel and select the elevation map from the drop-down list.

Now you can see the differences in elevation across your field.

Elevations are visualized as different hues, from dark-green low areas to dark-red high areas. Moreover, by hovering over the map, you will be able to see the actual altitude of any point on your field as meters above the sea level.

To better understand the elevation variations of your field, check how the color scheme correlates with the elevation values. Just click on the expand icon in the lower right corner.

Now you see how much area a corresponding elevation takes up on your field and which color hue is used to represent it.

In addition, you can also download the elevation map as a .tiff file by clicking on the download icon in the lower right corner.

Graphic

The analytics window automatically unfolds on the bottom of the screen by selecting the field.

Graphic legend

Graphs that display a representation of NDVI (normalized difference vegetation index) are in the center of this window.

There is also the possibility of years comparison, thus you can monitor how your crop is developing compared to data collected in the past. To visualize the data for the specific date, hover over the curve.

Vegetation season indices

Each curve can be disabled by clicking the corresponding colored buttons on the legend. This allows you to disable the unnecessary items and compare indices for years of interest.

Weather graphs

To view weather data on the graph, select the required data type from the Weather data drop-down list.

Temperature data includes:

• Min/Max t °C
• Cold/Heat stress

Moisture data includes:

• Precipitation in mm
• Root zone soil moisture in %
• Surface soil moisture in %

Temperature

Min temperature curve shows the history of minimum temperatures occurring in your field over a period of time. Whenever this curve crosses the Cold stress mark at -6°C, your winter crops are at risk of damage or failure. Track the curve and react when it is approaching the cold stress. Over time, you can build trends based on this graph to better protect your crops.

Max temperature curve represents the history of maximum temperatures in the field over a period of time. Whenever it crosses the Heat stress mark at +30°C, your crops are at risk of experiencing drought conditions. Track the curve and react when it is approaching the heat stress. Over time, you can build trends based on this graph to better protect your crops.

Moisture

Precipitation graph reflects the history of precipitation on the field measured in mm. You can build trends based on this graph and adjust irrigation and fertilization planning to increase efficiency.

Surface soil moisture curve represents the change in the amount of water in the top few centimetres of the soil over time. Based on this data, you can make better-informed decisions on irrigation.

Root zone soil moisture curve shows the change in the amount of water available to crop roots over time. Improve your water management by making decisions based on this data.

Growth stages

Use Growth Stages to get to know what stage your crop is on right now. If not needed, you are always able to hide the curve from being displayed by clicking on the Growth Stages.

Note! You should add info about crop rotation to see growth stages of your crops.

Period intervals

By default, it shows one year period or the date range selected on the calendar.

If you set a date range and want to get the default year period view, click Update.

Simply click Forecast to be redirected to the Weather page in case Weather Today data is not enough for you or comparison with other vegetation periods is required.

You can get all this information using the Weather analytics tab on the right sidebar as well.

Historical Weather

Historical Weather is archived temperature and precipitation data. To set the vegetation period, choose the season you are interested in (available from 2008) and its start and end dates using the calendar. By default, the Growth Stages curve shows on all the graphs. In case there were no stages during the selected time frame, the pointer will be disabled. You can disable it manually at any time if it is not informative for you.

To add a curve displaying the data for the past five years, activate the Compare with 5 years average option.

Accumulated And Daily Precipitation Graphs

Once 5 years average is enabled, you will be shown the average for the current period and the last 5 years precipitation levels on graphs to visualize collected information for further analysis.

Accumulated Precipitation graph

Daily Precipitation graph

Daily Temperatures

The graph shows min°C and max°C as well as 5 Year Average min°C and max°C if the 5 Years Average option is selected.

Sum Of Active Temperatures

The drop-down menu has three options that can be chosen: 0°C (1°C to 5°C), 5°C (6°C to 10°C) and 10°C (11°C to more). So if you pick the date range from 6°C to 10°C that is a 5°C filter option on the list, you will see the sum of these temperatures.

Weather Forecast

The Weather Forecast option provides you with access to the 14 days weather forecast. Wind speed, humidity, cloud coverage and expected precipitation are also shown on the screen.

Task Description

To get a more detailed description of the task, select it on the Scouting tab that is divided into General and Report.

General

General is for the one who sets the task. It allows changing the name or description, uploading a photo of the field or closing a task in case it is completed.

Report

The Report tab is for scouts. Scout selects the date when the field was inspected, fills in the name of a client e.g. the owner of the field, and the number of the field, changes the field area and crop name, hybrid and sowing date using this tab.

With the help of this tool, scout adds developmental phases indicating the root thickness and the amount of leaves, sets the density of plants and makes a final review of the field indicating the state of crops and leaving an expert comment. After making all the necessary changes, the assigned person closes the task if it is completed or updates the task if needed.

Download

In case you need to download the report in the form of a spreadsheet, click the Export button at the top of the Task tab to be processed automatically.

Closed Tasks

When you complete the task, it’s automatically moved to the Closed tab of the Task list to be displayed as closed on the map.

Field leaderboard has been designed to help users prioritize their field management tasks according to the NDVI value change. Leaderboard also arranges all of your fields in one place according to 1 of 8 different categories:

• Name
• Location
• Area
• Group
• Crop
• Index value
• Value change
• Image date

Each arrangement appears as a list of fields sorted and ranked accordingly and can be exported as a PDF file and/or .xls spreadsheet.

Default

By default, the leaderboard shows your fields arranged according to the latest available image and the most negative NDVI value change.

Note: the field with the latest available image may have less of a NDVI value drop compared to another field with an older available image. This allows you to focus on the most urgent issues first.

Notifications

Every time there are new satellite images of one, several, or all of your fields, Leaderboard gets updated. You will automatically get notified about each update via email.

The notification email will contain the following data:

• current index value for the field
• value change compared to the previous image
• field name (the one you have assigned to it)
• field location
• new image date
• previous image date

Every notification email may contain the data for up to 3 of the fields that are currently at the top of the leaderboard.

NDVI Drop

You can rearrange the leaderboard to show your fields ranked only according to the NDVI value change. The field with the largest NDVI value drop automatically moves up to the top of the leaderboard. On the contrary, the field with the largest NDVI value rise gets sorted to the bottom of the list.

Parameters

To rearrange the leaderboard, click on the appropriate sorting parameter above the leaderboard.

The parameter should light up.

Note: you can always tell which category arrangement is currently on the leaderboard by checking the parameter. Only one parameter can light up at a time.

Color Code

NDVI value drop is marked by the red color and a minus “-” symbol, while the rising NDVI value appears green, with a “+” sign. If there has been no change over the period in question, NDVI value appears white.

Group

You can sort fields according to the group. To view all fields at once, select All groups.

To view fields that do not belong to any group, tick the appropriate checkbox.

Another option is to view only the fields that belong to a specific group.

Crop

You can also arrange fields according to their currently growing crop type.

To view the fields with a common growing crop, click on the appropriate checkbox.

Note: Fields without added crop rotation data cannot be arranged according to crop type.

Download

You can rearrange the fields on the leaderboard in 9 different lists and download them as PDF file and/or xls. spreadsheet.

The download begins automatically as soon as you click on the PDF or XLS button.

Select Date

You can select a date to view the NDVI change for the period between two available images of the same field (3-5 days).

1. Find the Report date field right above the leaderboard.

2. Click anywhere on the Report date field

3. Select the date in the pop-up calendar in 1 click

The leaderboard will automatically refresh to show you the data for the period between two images closely preceding the selected date.

Free Account

To access the Field leaderboard, you need to update your pricing plan to Essential or Professional.

You can try out the Field leaderboard feature on your Demo field in the Free Account.

Note: Only the Demo field data will be accessible.

Sort

Additionally, you can sort fields within the leaderboard based on 7 different attributes:

• Name (in the alphabetical order)
• Location (in the alphabetical order)
• Area (least to greatest and vice versa)
• Group (1 group/some groups/all groups/without group)
• Index value (least to greatest and vice versa)
• Value change (difference between two images)
• Image date (oldest to newest and vice versa)

You can create 7 different leaderboards with fields arranged differently and download each leaderboard as either a PDF file or xls. spreadsheet.

Zoning is used to create VRA (Variable Rate Application) maps for differential seed planting and fertilizing. You can identify zones on each map and manually set an appropriate amount of seedlings or fertilizer for every zone. You can download the VRA maps as a shp. Zip file and upload it to the on-board computer to perform differential application. This way you can reduce expenses and use resources more rationally.

Zoning also allows you to save money on expensive “blind” soil testing. Thanks to the data retrieved from satellite imagery and vegetation indices, Zoning identifies plots in the field with higher and lower productivity.

To create the Vegetation and/or Productivity maps for any field, click on the Zoning icon on the right sidebar menu.

Once you are in the Zoning menu, select a field from the list.

You can select the field with no previously saved Vegetation/Productivity maps. In this case, you will be directed to the menu where you can choose the type of zoning you want to perform.

Or you can select a field with the previously created Vegetation/Productivity maps. In this case, you will be redirected to Your maps list of saved maps.

The icons for Vegetation maps and Productivity maps are conveniently different. When in doubt, look at the icons or read the title below the saved map.

To download any previously created Vegetation/Productivity maps, select and click on the one you need in Your maps list, and then click on the Download SHP button below.

To create a new map, click on the appropriate button below the Your maps list on the right side panel.

Once you click on Create new map, you will be presented with a choice: Vegetation maps or Productivity maps.

Vegetation maps

Use Vegetation maps to calculate how much nitrogen your crops require at the moment, based on the latest available image data. The color should tell you exactly which area is more problematic. Red color means trouble and probably requires the highest amount of N fertilizer. Green, on the other hand, generally indicates high vegetation density areas that need considerably less nitrogen.

To create a Vegetation map, you will need to select an appropriate vegetation index in the drop down menu.

Next, select an available image date.

Finally, select the number of Zones you would like to break the field into. You can also set the minimal area for every Zone.

Now all you need to do is to click Calculate

The calculation of Zones distribution across the field in the Vegetation maps menu takes just a few seconds. The result is the newly created map on the left and the Vegetation Zones menu on the right for variable rate application.

You will need to manually set the application rate for each defined zone by typing in appropriate numbers (depending on the system of units selected in the settings). The system will automatically calculate the total amount in the given units of measurement.

It will allow you to determine the precise amount of fertilizers to be used for each individual Zone.

Note: the green and red colors on the maps stand for relatively higher and lower vegetation. Green is higher than red, red is lower than green.

Make sure there were no anomalies that might have influenced the calculations by moving the Opacity slider to the left and to the right.

Opacity is set to 80% by default, because at this point any obstructions/anomalies will show in the image overlapping with the Vegetation map.

If you move the slider all the way to the left (0%), you will be able to see for sure if there are any objects in the image obstructing the view.

You can also clearly see where the vegetation on the field is visually extremely low or absent.

If everything looks normal, you can move the Opacity slider all the way to the right (100%), to view the Vegetation map only.

The final step is to download the map with the application rate amounts as a ZIP file. To do just that, click Download SHP at the bottom right.

Productivity maps

Productivity maps help calculate how much potassium and phosphorus should go in the areas with higher/lower productivity in the field. The red color corresponds to the lowest productivity levels, whereas the green color shows the area with a high productivity. This allows you to distribute K and P fertilizer more efficiently across the field.

Note: You can also use productivity maps to add precision to soil-sampling, focusing more on the areas that appear yellow to red.

This type of Zoning is very simple to perform. 5 different Productivity Zones will be automatically identified in the field. To calculate them, you only need to set the dates to create any period of time up to 2 years, and click Calculate.

If your field’s area is less than 2 ha / 4.9 ac, the automatic number of Zones will be not 5 but 3, to avoid visual clustering.

Calculations may take a few minutes. The result should look something like this.

You can use the map to understand how to make your field more productive. On the right, you can type in the necessary amounts of seeds or fertilizers and download both the map and the total amount as a ZIP file.

How to remove the saved maps

You may delete any map from Your maps list at any time by simply clicking on the delete basket in the top right corner.

Field Activity Log is an efficient way to plan and monitor all of your field activities for one, several, or multiple fields on one screen. You can add planned and completed activities to an interactive calendar and conveniently edit the information before, during, or after the completion. With this feature, you can also plan and compare costs of your farming activities, such as fertilizing, tillage, planting, spraying, harvesting, and others.

Location

The Field Activity Log is located in a separate tab on the sidebar menu.

Demo Field

If you haven’t got any fields of your own yet, you can use Demo Field to learn how Field Activity Log works on Crop Monitoring.

Log Structure

On the screen, all the necessary information about your field activities is organized in three columns: Field, Sowing date, and Activity calendar.

Field column

Your fields will appear on the left side of the screen, in the Field column.

You can sort fields by their name from A to Z or from Z to A.

Sowing Dates 

The column shows the most recent sowing date for every field in the list.

You can sort sowing dates from earliest to latest.

Activity Calendar 

The third column from the left, which takes up most of the screen, is an interactive calendar displaying completed and planned activities that you have already added to the log.

The calendar is always divided in half by the column that represents the current date. All the completed activities are in the left half. Similarly, all the planned activities are on the right.

Activity status and color

Activities are indicated by different colors, according to their completion status.

Single-day activities

You can add an activity that starts and ends on the same day. If that day is still in the future, it will appear gray with stripes.

As soon as your current date “catches up” with the planned start date, it automatically changes from gray to red.

This means the system does not yet have a confirmation that an activity is already in progress.

How can you change that?

Simply add the Start and End dates of the completion period.

Click on the activity and select the + symbol in the top left corner of the window.

Now select the Start and End dates and click Save.

Once you’re done, red will change to green. Now the activity is officially completed.

Multiple-day activities

Monitoring their status is a little trickier but the same principles apply. As soon as you actually start the completion process, add the start date of the completion period so the system knows the activity is already in progress.

Use the same algorithm as for the single-day activity. Click on the activity and select the +symbol in the top left corner of the window.

Then select the Start date of the completion period and click Save.

Now, individual day cells on the calendar will be automatically changing color from gray to blue one by one.

Make sure to add the end date of the completion period when you are actually done with the activity. Blue will change to green for the whole completion period.

Behind or ahead of schedule

You may start your multiple-day activity one or several days later than planned. In this case, the planned start date will not correspond with the completion period start date. Days you have missed will stay red on the calendar.

Similarly, you may finish your activity several days later than planned. As soon as you add the actual date of completion to the log, these extra days will turn red to show you that you missed your own deadline.

On the other hand, if you complete an activity one or several days before the deadline, the extra days will remain gray on the calendar.

Note: If you decide to start completing an activity before its planned start date, you will need to add a new activity to the log. The start date of a completion period cannot be earlier than the planned start date.

Completed activity

Finally, you can add as many activities completed in the past as you like. They are assigned a distinct color, yellow. This way you can distinguish scheduled activities from unscheduled.

Add activity

There are two ways to add an activity to the log.

One option is to click on the “+” button in the bottom right corner of the screen.

In a window that pops up, choose between completed and planned activity.

Tip: You can add activities that were completed anytime between January 2016 and the current date.

Select the type of activity and its planned start and end dates.

Note: The planned start and end dates will “book” the space on the calendar.

For planned activities, the system won’t allow you to select any past date.

Similarly, future dates are not available if you wish to add a completed activity.

Multiple fields

You can add one activity for multiple fields at once.

In the cost field put the estimated cost for a planned activity or the actual cost for the completed one.

Note: You can compare estimated and actual cost and plan your activities more efficiently in the future.

Adding a description to the activity is optional but it allows you to keep a more detailed record of your field activities.

Click Save to finish adding the activity.

Use the calendar

You can also add activities directly on the calendar.

Pick the start date for your planned or completed activity, find the appropriate cell and click on it.

Organize activities

You can filter logged activities according to years, field group, crop type, and activity type.

These filters are located in the uppermost bar of the screen.

Click anywhere on the filters to select year, group, crop type, or activity type to organize your activities accordingly.

Edit acitivty

To edit activities, click on them, and then click on the pencil icon.

Data Manager is your opportunity to upload data on harvesting, fertilization, spraying, planting, and any other activity from your vehicle to Crop Monitoring. To do this, you have to save this data as a standard shapefile first. Depending on the settings of the on-board computer of your vehicle, you can visualize the uploaded data in the form of maps that display yield, moisture, sowing density and other technological parameters that were recorded by your equipment while working in the field.

Visualization of this data helps you control the quality of field activities completion: the application rate of different crop products, seed rate, tracking the amount of the harvested crop and its moisture, and much more.

Navigation

The Data Manager is located in a separate tab on the sidebar menu.

Uploading Datasets

The data you want to upload should be saved as a ZIP archive. The archive should contain data in the SHP format. Use the full dataset of the format (* SHP, * SHX, * DBF, * PRJ).

Note: The absence of a * PRJ file is acceptable.

There are three ways you can upload data to Data Manager:

1. Drag and drop the file with data to the Data field

2. Drag and drop the file with data to the viewer

3. Click on Add Dataset and select the file on your computer

Dataset Processing

Processing data will take some time before it’s fully uploaded. In the meantime, you can continue working with other features of Crop Monitoring.

Once the data is successfully processed, a green notification will pop up.

To continue working with the uploaded data, click on the name of the processed ZIP archive in the Data field of the Data Manager.

Assigning Data to the Field

There are two scenarios of assigning data to the field, depending on whether the uploaded data matches any field you already have in the system. If the uploaded data doesn’t match the contour of any field, a “Create and Assign Field” form will pop up, offering you to create a new field.

Note: The field you created, will automatically appear in the system.

1. Name the field

2. Select the type of activity

3. Select the start date of the activity

4. Leave a short description if necessary

5. Select all the necessary parameters on the map (from those that were set up in the on-board computer of your equipment)

Note: You can always edit this information later.

If the uploaded data matches the contour of one or several fields, an “Add Activity” window will pop up.

1. Select activity

2. Select parameters (from those that were set up in the on-board computer of your equipment)

3. Leave a description if necessary

4. Select one or several fields that match the uploaded data (check the Overlay value)

5. Select the start date of the activity

6. Click on Assign Field

Data Visualization

The activities you have assigned to the field will be displayed in the Data field. To see the visualised data on the completed activity, click on the date of its completion.

To switch between several parameters (types of data), click on the necessary parameter in the legend.


Note: Parameters and their numeric values are uploaded from the data file and cannot be changed. You can only switch between parameters to compare them with each other, or choose only the one parameter you need.