Remote Sensing Technology

While the term “remote sensing technology” may seem difficult to understand, this method of gathering information is straightforward, saves time, and is part of some very familiar practices. In the most basic sense, “remote sensing” is the process of gathering information about an object or process without making physical contact. For example, conventional radar has been used for decades to monitor air traffic. Doppler radar is used by law enforcement officials to monitor speed and by meteorologists to measure weather. Different types of remote sensing technology can be used to make maps, quantify chemicals in the atmosphere, and measure earthquakes.

In production agriculture, uses of remote sensing technology include aerial photography and mapping; GPS-guided, site-specific crop planting and management; unmanned aerial systems to monitor crop progress; and light reflectance to measure crop stress. The MSU Extension Service is working to keep Mississippi producers informed about developments in precision agriculture to help them maximize efficiency, reduce the amount of chemical inputs applied to crops, and save time.