Early estimation of crop surfaces, and agriculture monitoring using RADARSAT data

We herewith evaluate the potential of RADARSAT in substituting optical images for early crop identification and early crop surfaces estimation. This paper outlines the operational feasibility of very early RADARSAT based acreage estimation of non-cultivated terrain (set-aside, fallow, bare soils) and economically important crops, already during the winter season. The monitoring of growing crops during spring and early summer has been also carried out to investigate RADARSAT potential for cereals discrimination. Results obtained in the Netherlands during the growing season of 1997, and in the winter 1997/1998, using RADARSAT time-series are presented.