Using NOAA AVHRR data to estimate maize production in the United States Corn Belt

Crop production assessments are extremely valuable because of their economic importance in influencing international trade and national economic policies. This study investigates using the Vegetation Condition Index derived from NOAA/AVHRR satellite data to estimate the maize production for the United States Corn Belt. Satellite data from 1985 to 1992 are utilized within a model and explain more than 50 per cent of the variation in the normalized yields from 42 Crop Reporting Districts. Results estimating the regional maize production are encouraging, and operational estimates using this model would be available for about two months prior to the maize harvest in the Corn Belt.