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At Bonterra Agriculture, we specialize in advisory services to farmers and agronomists based on multiple satellites and GIS data. With a background in annual crops, soil conservation and regenerative farming, we work together with our clients to develop simple solutions and long term strategies in order to achieve resilient and healthier soils.
The more you know
Data pours in every minute, satellites fly over every day.
At Bonterra Agriculture we tap into these sources with agronomist eyes and transform raw data into useful insights. From live monitoring of crop health to long term plans for improving soil health, all aspects from a farm can be improved using geographic information.
Explore use cases and methodologies
Access live satellite photos
Control your plots in real time from the sky.
Multiple satellites from NASA and ESA create images on a daily basis of every corner of the planet, some can even see through clouds. In a farming environment, they can be exploited for multiple uses:
Using optic and radar satellites find problematic areas where your crops are not doing well, due to insects or fungal infections
Studying previous years reveals where seedlings have a harder time building up a closed canopy, these places benefit from extra seed density
Keep an eye on fallow plots to keep weeds in check
Radar satellites during fallow reveal areas where water accumulates after rainfalls, which are the basis for water harvesting interventions
Thermal images show plants with water stress, useful for planning irrigation and de-compacting strategies
Soil management advise
Plan sampling and measurements, find weak points to work on.
Soil sampling and measurements often doesn't get the attention it needs as it can be costly and tedious. By setting up a strategy based on targets and soil variability, and including physical and biological measurements (plus lab reports) you will be able to get a full picture of your soil's condition as efficient and cost-saving as possible.
Assistance with yield maps
Processed maps are the key to unlock precision farming and soil health practices.
Raw yield data is often confusing and hard to use. After cleaning and transforming it into fertility zones, you will be able to:
Implement precision farming: make site specific management decisions like variable rate seeding and fertilization
Use them as a diagnostic tool: pinpoint the causes of this differential yield through specific soil sampling measurements
Measure effectiveness of implemented practices, such as different hybrids/varieties, new products, doses of fertilizers
Plan your long-term strategy by combining multiple years of yield maps, identifying consistent low-yielding zones and drought sensitive areas
Topography check
Study your plots' slopes in order to avoid soil erosion.
Using elevation data with the appropriate processing reveals the paths that water follows after heavy rainfalls. Based on this information and the severity of the issue, we can offer different solutions for this issue, such as water harvesting structures or contour line deep tillage. This gives water more time to settle into the soil, reducing the formation of rills and gullies.
Regenerative solutions
Simple changes in how you farm can make a big difference for your soils.
Based on the specifics of your farm (soil, crops, equipment), we have experience in adopting regenerative agriculture practices and monitoring their progress. Many practices are easy to implement and make a big difference to your soil biology. Better soils mean healthier and deeper roots, giving your crops resilience and a boost in yield. Our approach follows simple steps:
Study of the current system: soil condition, crop rotation, machinery, livestock, desired level of investment
Finding bottlenecks: what are the most important factors limiting yield?
Where are the low-hanging fruits? Tackling issues with simple and easy to adopt interventions first
Repeat the cycle
Exploit land use data
Monitor changes, or find the best locations for biodiversity interventions.
Powerful computer models analyze and classify satellite data every day. By tapping into this information it is possible to track changes in land use anywhere on Earth. How is this useful for a farmer? It comes down to how much of a patchwork your farm offers to natural predators.
Pest control based on predators requires setting up small spaces for them to colonize, and while this is simple to do, they can only travel small distances. Big plots with annual plants only, greatly reduces their effectiveness. By plotting distances in your farm to these habitats, we can find the most effective locations to build them up and connect them.
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