In brief
- FarmPortal has added satellite mission selection to the mobile app.
- Users can work with Sentinel-2, Landsat 8 and Landsat 9 data.
- The function was previously available in the web version and has now been moved to the mobile app.
- This update supports crop monitoring, field variability analysis and the preparation of variable-rate fertilisation maps.
What has changed in the mobile app?
Users of the FarmPortal mobile app can now select the satellite imagery source for the field being analysed. Until now, this option was available in the web version of the system. The same mechanism now also works on mobile.
This matters in field work. A farmer, fruit grower, vegetable grower or agronomic advisor no longer needs to return to a computer to compare available data sources. They can check the field directly in the mobile app and select the satellite mission that best fits the purpose of the analysis.
In practice, the function supports day-to-day crop monitoring, crop condition assessment, field variability analysis and the preparation of data for variable-rate fertilisation maps. A broader description of the modules is available on the FarmPortal farm management functions page.
Which satellite missions are available?
Three satellite data sources are available in the FarmPortal mobile app: Sentinel-2, Landsat 8 and Landsat 9. Each mission has different parameters and different applications, so the choice of source should depend on the field scale, crop type and purpose of the analysis.
| Satellite mission | Resolution | Application in FarmPortal |
|---|---|---|
| Sentinel-2 | 10 m, 20 m and 60 m depending on the band | Current crop monitoring, biomass analysis, vegetation indices and field variability |
| Landsat 8 | 15 m panchromatic, 30 m multispectral, 100 m thermal | Analysis of larger areas, observation of changes over time and work with thermal data |
| Landsat 9 | 15 m panchromatic, 30 m multispectral, 100 m thermal | Continuation of Landsat analyses, long-term field monitoring and seasonal comparisons |
The system also supports 3 m resolutions, used where an analysis requires a more detailed image. This is particularly relevant for smaller plots, specialised crops and problem-focused field analyses.
What does this give farmers and advisors?
Satellite mission selection gives users greater flexibility when working with field data. If one scene is less useful for a specific field, for example because of cloud cover, image acquisition date or lower relevance for a given analysis, the user can check another data source.
Sentinel-2 works well for current crop condition monitoring and vegetation index analysis. Landsat 8 and Landsat 9 are a useful addition for monitoring larger areas, analysing trends and working with thermal observations. These are not competing sources, but a set of tools for different tasks.
The function is particularly useful for farmers, fruit growers, vegetable growers and advisors who analyse fields directly in the field. For machinery manufacturers and processors, it can support work with spatial data, variable-rate application maps and supplier monitoring.
How does this function connect with other FarmPortal modules?
Satellite mission selection is part of a wider field data workflow in FarmPortal. Satellite data can support crop variability assessment, scouting planning, preparation of variable-rate fertilisation maps and data export to machinery.
Variable Rate Application (VRA) means applying different rates of fertiliser, seed or crop protection products in different parts of a field. Satellite data helps indicate zones that require more detailed analysis before an application map is prepared.
By bringing this function into the mobile app, users can move faster from observation to decision. This is especially important when the analysis is carried out during a farm visit, crop scouting or a conversation between an advisor and a farmer.
Summary
In the FarmPortal mobile app, users can now independently select the satellite mission for field analysis. Sentinel-2, Landsat 8 and Landsat 9 are available, and the system also supports 3 m resolutions for more detailed analyses.
This is a small but practical change. A function known from the web version is moving into mobile field work, where satellite data is closest to real agronomic decisions: in the field, at crop level and in conversation with the farm user.
