WEB APPLICATION
How to access the satellite-based biomass estimations
The modelled biomass data is accessible via Fourth Quadrant software as well as the Pasture Monitor web application (webapp). The webapp contains several tools, namely BIOMASS, DASH, STATS, GRAPH and COMPARE. See detail below.
BIOMASS
BIOMASS tool provides an interactive map that displays estimated biomass levels for each pasture camp. The map displays the average biomass per paddock and uses a light to dark green colour ramp per biomass range (see legend at the bottom right of the map).
A grey box in the top right provides information when the cursor is moved over a paddock. Hovering the cursor over a paddock will also highlight the paddock and its corresponding biomass value in the Biomass Per Paddock graph.
The stacked bar Biomass Per Paddock graph shows the average biomass per paddock (dark green line), arranged from low to high. The graph also shows the model uncertainty (potential error), in light green around the dark green biomass line. Hovering the mouse over the dark green line will show a paddock's specific biomass reading. Highlighting the bar on the graph will highlight the corresponding paddock in the Biomass map.
The BIOMASS tool also includes a Biomass Growth Rate Per Paddoc graph (above) is calculated by comparing the biomass of the selected date to the biomass of the previous cloud-free date. The graph's title specifies the date ranges. The growth rate is normalised to biomass growth per day (kg/ha). The order of paddocks on the x-axis is identical to the graph above, which allows for easy comparisons.
Finally, the Total Farm Biomass Per Satellite Observation graph (above) offers a long-term view of biomass production for a particular farm.
In combination, the biomass map and corresponding graphs provides all the necessary information required for making pasture management decisions.
DASH
In contrast to the BIOMASS tool, which provides pasture-level biomass estimates, the DASH tool provides information at the pixel (sub-pasture) level. This enables pasture managers to identify issues within camps. The DASH includes metrics such as Growth Vigour, Moisture, and Nitrogen (TCARI) content. In addition, it shows metrics such as Growth Vigour Annual Mean, which is the average growth vigour over a year. This metric is very useful as it highlights areas within camps that are consistently perfoming poorly. The Growth Vigour Deviation From Annual Mean metric shows how the latest image compares to the Growth Vigour Annual Mean metric. I.e. it answers the question: how does the current pasture growth compare to the long term average? Furthermore, when users click on a specific camp, they are presented with detailed information regarding that unit, along with access to additional functionalities designed to enhance their experience and provide deeper insights.
Additional infromation about each paddock is shown when a user click's on a specific camp.
The DASH shows the biomass estimations are shown per camp
The TCARI index is sensitive to nigtrogen variations with camps.
Additional infromation about each paddock is shown when a user click's on a specific camp.
Move mouse over image to see details
STATS
The STATS tool provides a comprehensive ranking of all camps by assessing their growth vigour and moisture levels. It facilitates a detailed comparison of each unit's current condition against historical data for various timeframes. Using a predefined colour scheme and a mini graph, users can visualize and analyze the performance of each unit over multiple periods, including all time, the past year, the last 90 days, the past 30 days, and the most recent 15 days. This detailed analysis allows for the quick and efficient identification of any camps experiencing issues, enabling timely intervention and management.
GRAPH
The GRAPH tool serves as a comprehensive resource that presents the latest pasture condition index alongside biomass values linked to a designated camp. This tool not only highlights the current measurements but also facilitates comparisons with earlier observations, enabling users to monitor changes and trends over time effectively. Furthermore, the graphs are designed with full interactivity, allowing users to zoom in on specific dates, which enhances the ability to analyze the data more thoroughly and gain deeper insights into crop performance.
COMPARE
The COMPARE tool is a valuable resource for users who wish to analyze and compare different pasture condition maps against one another. For instance, users can examine the relationship between growth vigour (left side of the map below) and biomass levels (right side of the map below). Furthermore, this tool allows for comparing the same type of pasture condition across various dates, which helps identify any significant changes over time.
