Feature Deep-Dive: Cropwise Explorer Capabilities

Overview

This article provides detailed explanations of each key feature in Cropwise Explorer, helping you understand how each capability works and how to use it effectively.

Satellite Imagery & NDVI Analysis

Daily Satellite Imagery

What It Is

Cropwise Explorer uses Planetscope satellites to capture daily imagery of your fields, providing high-resolution images even in challenging conditions.

Key Specifications

How to Use

1. Select your field from the field list
2. The most recent cloud-free image automatically displays
3. Check the date stamp to see when the image was captured
4. Use the date selector to view historical imagery

Benefits

• Timeliness: See current conditions without waiting for cloud-free days
• Resolution: High detail allows identification of field variability
• Historical Analysis: Compare current conditions to past dates

NDVI Visualization

What is NDVI?

NDVI (Normalized Difference Vegetation Index) is a calculation that uses different wavelengths of light reflected by plants to measure vegetation health and density.

How NDVI Works

Healthy, growing plants absorb most visible light (for photosynthesis) and reflect most near-infrared light. Stressed or sparse vegetation reflects more visible light and less near-infrared.

When to Use NDVI vs RGB

Side-by-Side Comparisons

What It Is

Compare two different dates or data layers side-by-side to visualize changes over time.

How to Use

1. Select a field
2. Open the Compare or Side-by-Side tool
3. Choose:
   • Date 1 (left panel)
   • Date 2 (right panel)
4. Both images display simultaneously for direct comparison
5. Use the slider or synced zoom to explore details

Common Comparison Scenarios

• Pre-treatment vs post-treatment: Did the application work?
• Same date, different years: How does this season compare?
• Early season vs mid-season: How has the crop developed?
• Before vs after an event: Assess damage from hail, flood, etc.

Analytical Capabilities

NDVI Change Report

What It Is

An automated report quantifying vegetation changes between two dates, showing exactly where and how much your crop has changed.

Report Components

• Change Map: Visual representation of areas that improved, declined, or stayed the same
• Area Statistics: Percentage of field in each change category
• Zone Breakdown: Different areas of the field analyzed separately
• Trend Analysis: Direction and magnitude of change

How to Generate

1. Select one or multiple fields
2. Go to Reports → NDVI Change Report
3. Select:
   • Start date
   • End date
4. Click Generate
5. Review the report on screen or download as PDF

Use Cases

• Verify effectiveness of crop protection applications
• Assess crop recovery after stress events
• Monitor growth progress throughout the season
• Document field conditions for records or reports

Weekly Field Insights

What It Is

Automated analysis delivered to you weekly, summarizing key changes and alerts for your fields.

Insight Components

• Field Status Summary: Quick overview of all fields
• Change Detection: Significant changes since last week
• Alerts: Fields requiring attention
• Recommendations: Suggested actions based on analysis

How to Access

• In-App: Dashboard → Insights panel
• Email: Automatic delivery if notifications enabled

Setting Up Notifications

1. Go to Settings → Notifications
2. Enable Weekly Field Insights
3. Choose email delivery day
4. Save preferences

Anomaly Detection

What It Is

Automatic identification of unusual patterns in your fields that deviate from expected conditions, potentially indicating problems.

How It Works

Explorer's algorithms compare current field conditions to:

• Historical imagery from the same field
• Surrounding areas in the same field
• Expected patterns based on crop growth stage

When the detected pattern differs significantly, an anomaly is flagged.

Types of Anomalies Detected

How to Use Anomaly Detection

1. View the Alerts or Anomalies panel
2. See which fields have detected anomalies
3. Click on an alert to view details on the map
4. Assess the anomaly visually
5. Decide: Scout immediately, monitor, or dismiss
6. Add notes to document your findings

Yield Analysis

What It Is

Import and analyze yield data to understand productivity variability across your fields.

How to Use

1. After harvest, import yield data from your equipment
2. Go to Data Layers → Import Yield Data
3. Select the file format (shapefile, etc.)
4. Map data to field boundaries
5. Explorer processes and visualizes the data

Analysis Capabilities

• Yield Maps: Visualize yield variability across the field
• Comparison: Overlay yield data on NDVI imagery
• Correlation: Understand relationship between in-season NDVI and final yield
• Zoning: Identify high and low productivity zones

Benefits

• Validate what satellite imagery showed during the season
• Identify consistently high or low performing areas
• Make data-driven decisions for next season
• Create management zones based on productivity history

Prescription Creation

NDVI-Zone Prescriptions

What It Is

Create variable rate application maps based on NDVI zones, allowing you to apply different rates of inputs to different areas of the field.

Application Types

• Seeding: Adjust planting rates based on productivity zones
• Fertilizer: Apply more fertilizer where crop needs it most
• Crop Protection: Target applications to specific zones
• Irrigation: Optimize water application

Step-by-Step: Creating a Prescription

1. Select Field: Choose the field for prescription
2. Choose Date: Select the NDVI image date to use as basis
3. Generate Zones:
   • Auto-Zone: Let Explorer automatically create zones
   • Manual: Draw zones yourself
4. Define Zones:
   • Number of zones (e.g., 3, 5, 7 zones)
   • Zone boundaries
5. Set Rates: Assign application rates to each zone:
   • Zone 1 (Low productivity): Rate A
   • Zone 2 (Medium productivity): Rate B
   • Zone 3 (High productivity): Rate C
6. Review: Preview the prescription map
7. Adjust: Fine-tune rates or zone boundaries
8. Export: Download in compatible format for your equipment

Export Formats

• Shapefile (.shp): Universal format for most precision ag systems
• ISOXML: Standard for modern equipment monitors
• John Deere: Direct export to Operations Center
• CNH: Direct export to CNH systems

Productivity Maps

What It Is

Visualization of productivity zones based on multiple data sources, showing consistently high, medium, and low performing areas.

How Productivity Zones are Determined

Explorer analyzes multiple factors:

• Historical NDVI: Season-long vegetation patterns
• Yield Data: If available, actual harvest results
• Soil Data: If available, soil type and characteristics
• Topography: Elevation and slope data

Using Productivity Maps

• Identify stable yield zones across seasons
• Understand why certain areas consistently underperform
• Create management zones for variable rate applications
• Make informed decisions about land management

Data Layers & Integration

Data Layers

What It Is

Overlay multiple data types on your field maps for comprehensive analysis.

Available Layers

Managing Layers

1. Open Layers panel
2. Toggle layers on/off
3. Adjust transparency to see multiple layers
4. Reorder layers as needed

Equipment Integration

John Deere Operations Center

Setup:

1. Go to Settings → Integrations
2. Select John Deere
3. Log in to your Operations Center account
4. Authorize data sharing

Data Exchange:

• Export Prescriptions: Send directly to Operations Center
• Import Yield Data: Pull harvest data into Explorer
• Sync Field Boundaries: Maintain consistency across platforms

CNH

Setup:

1. Go to Settings → Integrations
2. Select CNH
3. Log in to your CNH account
4. Authorize connection

Cropwise Connect

Seamlessly integrated within the Cropwise platform:

• Share field data between Cropwise applications
• Use Explorer insights in Protector, Planting, and Trialing
• Consistent organization and field structure

Mobile & Field Use

Field Mode

What It Is

Mobile-optimized view for using Explorer while in the field.

Features

• GPS Location: See your position on the map
• Offline Maps: Access imagery even without connectivity (cached data)
• Note Taking: Add observations to specific locations
• Photo Capture: Take photos and attach to map points
• Quick Compare: View satellite imagery while looking at actual crop

How to Use in Field

1. Open Explorer on mobile browser
2. Navigate to your field
3. Enable GPS tracking to see your location
4. Toggle between NDVI view and your actual field view
5. Add notes/observations as needed
6. Sync data when back online

Scouting Integration

Easy Scout

What It Is

Simplified scouting workflow that uses Explorer insights to prioritize and guide field visits.

How It Works

1. Explorer identifies areas requiring attention
2. Scout points are suggested based on anomalies or NDVI changes
3. Navigate to priority areas
4. Document findings

Benefits

• Focus limited scouting time on areas that need it most
• Systematic coverage of problem areas
• Ground-truth satellite observations
• Maintain records tied to field locations

Summary: Feature Quick Reference