IntelCrop's forecast methodology for the estimation of crop yield

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In the past several experiments were conducted in order to find a way of precisely forecast the crops’ yield.

Either correlations were analysed between satellite images and crop yields, or plant physiological growth models were developed under consideration of the factors “water”, “light” and “nutrient supply”.

However, approaches merely based on satellite images did not lead to any viable and practical results, while plant physiological models led to satisfactory results only under laboratory conditions.

The high quality and viability of our forecasting procedures is due to the fact that we combine both approaches.

However, we developed our own model because plant physiological models had to be abandoned because of their complexity and the fact that many data are not available in practice.

Stable prognoses 60 days ahead of harvest

With computers the specialists of IntelCrop simulate the yield formation of crops. They use the exact factors which are responsible for plant development, like temperature, sunshine, rain, evaporation, phenology and soil quality.

They developed methods for recognizing the growth progress of crops from space-born satellite images.

With these satellite images the forecast calculations are weekly adapted. First stable trends are available 80 days before harvest. Approximately 60 days ahead of harvest precise prognoses are completed and, at he latest 20 days before harvest, concrete values are calculated.