This CropPhen project aims to overcome barriers in adopting digital technologies in agriculture. By utilizing high-resolution earth observation data, hyperspectral data from ground sensors, UAVs (drones), and satellites, the project seeks to map crop phenology across multiple fields and farms. Additionally, a web-based information system will be developed to provide crop classification and phenological stage data on a large scale. These outputs will assist the industry in determining crop types, enabling growers to accurately track development stages and predict potential damage and losses from diseases, frost, heat events, and other constraints throughout the growing season.

AirBorn Insight was chosen as a trusted commercial partner for this project, measuring crop growth and attributes from multispectral UAV platforms. Multispectral data is captured using a high-resolution multispectral camera: blue (400-500 nm), green (500-600 nm), red (600-680 nm), red edge (680-750 nm), near infrared (750-1050 nm), and long wave thermal infrared (LWIR) (8000-14000 nm). The camera is mounted on a UAV flown at 60 m height to capture images at weekly intervals during the crop season. These flights are designed to align with on ground phenology and crop morphological and physiological measurements.

For more info: https://grdc.com.au/resources-and-publications/grdc-update-papers/tab-content/grdc-update-papers/2022/02/beyond-the-paddock-remote-mapping-of-grain-crop-type-and-phenology