Mapping and analysis system for precision farming applications

A method of generating agricultural maps to match farm inputs of a farming field to current soil and vegetation characteristics to optimize the productivity of the farming field, comprising the steps of:

• generating spectral image data related to at least one of vegetation stress and soil characteristics for a portion of the farming field;
• generating position data related to the position of said air-based means with respect to said portion of the farming field;
• and
• generating georeferenced spectral image data by synchronizing said position data with said spectral image data.

A ground-based mapping and analysis system for analyzing air-based georeferenced spectral image data and for matching farm inputs of a farming field to current soil and vegetation characteristics to optimize the productivity of the farming field based upon said air-based georeferenced spectral image data, comprising:

• storing means for storing first and second sets of georeferenced spectral image data;
• database means, connected to said storing means, for associating said first and second sets of georeferenced spectral image data according to geographical location and date;
• and
• processing means for estimating optimal farm inputs from said first and second sets of georeferenced spectral image data.

A method for analyzing air-based georeferenced spectral image data and for matching farm inputs of a farming field to current soil and vegetation characteristics to optimize the productivity of the farming field based upon said air-based georeferenced spectral image data, comprising the steps of:

• storing first and second sets of georeferenced spectral image data;
• associating said first and second sets of georeferenced spectral image data according to geographical location and date;
• and
• estimating optimal farm inputs from said first and second sets of georeferenced spectral image data.