TerraZo aims to provide small-scale agriculture in Austria with the easiest possible access to modern agricultural data and targeted management. To achieve this, a simple and free entry-level solution was created with public funding and in collaboration with partners, which can be used even without expensive specialized equipment and expert knowledge.
Depending on the plant population, different amounts of nutrients need to be supplied. However, constant fertilization often only insufficiently utilizes the available site potential. With TerraZo, you can easily and flexibly adjust the amount of fertilizer without adding extra strain to your budget. This not only saves fertilizer (and thus real money), but also protects the environment.
Vegetation indices are calculated values derived from satellite images. They are used to determine the vegetation cover of a specific area and help provide information about the condition of plants. Vegetation indices are typically based on how plants reflect light in the visible (VIS) and near-infrared (NIR) regions of the electromagnetic spectrum.
Currently, maps can be downloaded as Shapefiles or ISO-XML. Alternatively, the maps can also be applied directly in the app through the application mode.
An important data source for our maps is the satellite imagery from the Sentinel-2 satellites. Their sensors capture an area of 10x10 meters per pixel. Since we refrain from upscaling the data, the maps are also in this 10x10 meter grid.
After clicking on a field, you can load and select satellite images for that area. The date selection shows all captured images. Next to the date, there is an icon to quickly find cloud-free images. By default, clearly cloudy images are also hidden. Unfortunately, this automatic classification is not always reliable. Therefore, always check if the selected date is cloud-free to ensure it is suitable as a basis for a fertilization map (How do I choose the right satellite image?).
Satellite data is used as the basis for map creation. The Sentinel-2 satellites from the European Space Agency provide new images approximately every two to five days.
Fertilization maps require recent, cloud-free satellite images. Unfortunately, some months are completely overcast and offer no usable data. If the current field layout includes the same crop as in previous years, data from those years can be used as a fallback. Select a date from this year when the crops were at a similar growth stage.
Our fertilization suggestions automatically assign the required amount of fertilizer to the individual zones, depending on the plant development. The algorithms were developed as part of our field trials and are continuously evaluated and improved.
No! However, we would be happy if you do. The basic functionalities are available without registration. However, if you want to use additional features like fertilization suggestions or save maps, you need to be logged in.
Nothing concerning. Unlike many large competitors, we do not trade in data. In our privacy policy, you will find a detailed breakdown of what data we collect, why, and where this data goes. We comply with the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) to minimize your digital footprint and only store and process data for the actual purpose. Only a few data points are stored anonymously for a longer period for internal reasons (troubleshooting, usage statistics).
TerraZo is a project of the Agricultural Research Institute Josephinum Research, a partially legally independent institution of the HBLFA Francisco Josephinum in Wieselburg. A key project goal is to create a platform to promote precision farming in small-scale Austrian agriculture.
If no modern ISOBUS-compatible implement is available, the map can also be applied via the smartphone. The application is then done either by manually adjusting the spreader or by the driving speed. Depending on the current position, either the current fertilization amount or the required driving speed will be displayed on the smartphone.
Maps can be saved in TerraZo for later use. Currently, there are two use cases:
The map is to be exported later or applied via the application mode.
The map is to be considered for the second and third fertilization application.
Open app.terrazo.at.. Create a new field. In the date selection, choose an image with minimal cloud cover just before the fertilization date, see also How do I choose the right satellite image. Click on the green button 'Create application map'. After a short loading time, another window will open to set the fertilization parameters. Use the 'Configure fertilizer' button to select the fertilizer used and enter the desired fertilization value in the zones. If you are logged in, a fertilization suggestion for winter cereals can also be created. You can then download the fertilization map as a Shapefile or ISOXML. Alternatively, the map can be applied directly via the used device or saved for later in the application.
Open app.terrazo.at. Click on 'Add Field'. Draw your field on the map or select a field boundary from the E-AMA data by clicking on 'Select field on map' and then clicking on the location on the map where your field is located.
Zones are sub-areas of the field used to determine a specific amount of fertilizer or management measures for that area.