GreenReport^® map sets can accurately show areas where crops are progressing or doing poorly from one period to the next, and can compare crop progress and condition to the previous year and to average conditions. When used together, the map sets can be used as a tool for understanding crop development throughout the growing season and from year to year.

Satellite imagery shows plant condition and state of development (see the Greenness Map). When the current map is compared to the previous week (see Difference Map 1), vegetation changes can be observed. When the current map is compared to the map from last year for the same period (see Difference Map 2), the condition and state of development is known in relation to the previous year. When the current map is compared to an average (see Difference Map 3), the condition and state of development is known in relation to the average. When all four maps are viewed, a complete understanding of crop condition and development can be achieved.

The GreenReport^® uses the term “Greenness” in describing plant conditions. In these reports, greenness is directly related to the amount of green plant material (biomass) that is actively producing chlorophyll. The Vegetation Index Greenness Map assigns values to greenness depending on the amount of green biomass within the view of the satellite sensor.

In the case of Difference Map 1 (above), areas of increased greenness indicate areas where plants are growing and adding biomass. Decreased greenness indicates areas where plants are browning, or are producing less chlorophyll than during the previous period. Increased greenness in Difference Map 2 indicates areas where the plants are more developed during the time period this year when compared to the past year, as decreased greenness indicates that development is behind last years rate. DM3 is used in the same manner to determine what areas are behind, equal to, or ahead of the average in development.