Satellite monitoring of grasslands for crop statistics

Permanent and temporal grasslands cover ~40% of the total agricultural land in Europe. Estimating annual grass yield is the most challenging task in crop production statistics. In this action, we aim to enhance the crop production statistics in respect to grass statistics based on Earth Observation (EO). In addition, we will seek new indicators to fulfill information needs related to grasslands leveraging on data fusion of EO, Integrated Administration and Control System (IACS), and existing data collections on grass cultivation. Furthermore, we will promote cross-border knowledge-sharing and collaboration by testing the reusability of the proposed grass monitoring solutions in similar cropping systems in the neighbouring countries.

While the general objective of the project is to turn the deep understanding in grass production statistics, EO and machine learning into practical solutions, the specific objectives of the project are:

1) A grass yield prediction model is developed, followed by an analysis of its performance. The outcome of the applied method is high-resolution, annual grass yield estimates that serve the current grass production statistics in Finland.

2) An explorative analysis of the agro-environmental information needs beyond statistical requirements is conducted. These needs and the operational EO data availability will set the guidelines to explore further possibilities for the grass production related prediction tasks.

3) Grass production related data that are gathered and prepared for modelling will be documented. Describing the origins, long-term storage and accessibility of the used data will add to the sustainability of the project in terms of reproducibility.