A Model to Provide a Measure of Agricultural Productivity Using Remote Sensing Techniques

Abstract

<p> This thesis provides a means of measuring the type and number of livestock on a given farm in southern Ontario using as a data base aerial photographs of medium scale. The feasibility of making such measurements is shown to be an extension of past work in the field of agricultural air photo interpretation. The methodology is presented in the form of a model. The inputs from aerial photographs are crop acreages, building type and dimensions, and silo sizes. Average yields in each study area, in combination with crop acreage gives feed available. A comparison is made between feed weight and housing space available and required feed weights and stabling facilities (taken as constants in southern Ontario) to support cattle of a given type. This comparison technique, within the model, yields an output of farm type and actual numbers of cattle. The accuracy of prediction so obtained is high and is independent of the location or attributes of the widely spaced sample areas.</p>