For the past 25 years, Farmstar has been helping French farmers optimise their crop management and resources efficiency through satellite-based precision agriculture. Co-developed by Airbus and Arvalis Institut du Végétal, a leading agricultural technical institute specialising in cereals, Farmstar combines satellite imagery with strong agronomic expertise to provide customised recommendations throughout the crop cycle – from seeding to harvest – for crops such as wheat and barley.
With Farmstar, farmers can optimise their yields, improve their harvest quality, fine tune fertiliser use and reduce the environmental impact by applying nutrients only when and where plants need them most. Today, more than 16,000 farmers rely on Farmstar’s agronomic advice, delivered by a network of nearly 50 cooperatives and distributors who trust us each year.
A new model for nitrogen fertilization
This year, as Farmstar celebrates its 25th anniversary, it is taking a major leap forward in nitrogen. Staying true to its spirit of continuous innovation, Farmstar is now introducing a new agronomic model developed by Arvalis, offering farmers even greater precision and control over nitrogen fertilization.
This breakthrough helps maximize fertilizer efficiency whilst addressing environmental and economic challenges. Designed for farmers looking for better nitrogen use efficiency, the new model provides precise, real-time fertilization recommendations that are finely tuned to crop needs.
More flexibility for farmers
Farmstar is now more adaptable than ever! The service allows farmers to personalise their preferred fertilisation strategies to match their specific needs, operational constraints and weather conditions.
Farmers can customise fertilisation schedules by selecting their preferred application and delivery periods for the upcoming season. At each application, they receive:
- A tailored nitrogen recommendation per plot, valid for up to 10 days
- Real-time monitoring of soil nitrogen levels and crop needs
- On-demand modulation files to distribute nitrogen precisely where it’s needed within the plot
A week later, recommendations are updated based on the latest conditions, ensuring farmers can adjust applications to optimise results. This flexible approach allows them to adapt fertilisation to specific constraints, making real-time decisions based on weather patterns, soil conditions and operational planning.
Expanding capabilities for the future of farming
As a market leader in agricultural intelligence, Farmstar is constantly evolving to help farmers meet the challenges of tomorrow. By leveraging Airbus’ expertise in satellite technology and its deep understanding of agricultural needs, Farmstar is expanding into new applications and crop types.
With soil health and carbon sequestration becoming key priorities, Farmstar now introduces a new Intermediate Crops service, providing farmers with accurate biomass assessment using satellite technology.
Farmers benefit from:
- Automated fresh and dry biomass measurements, eliminating the needs to manually weigh cover crops
- Precise estimate of nitrogen restitution, allowing reduced fertilizer inputs for the next crop
- Carbon sequestration insights, supporting more sustainable soil management
Leguminous cover crops such as alfalfa, hairy vetch and crimson clover can restore up to 50 kg of nitrogen per hectare, offering a natural, cost-effective alternative to nitrogen fertilizers.
Finally, Farmstar is also expanding to new crops, including potatoes, where nitrogen fertilization is essential for ensuring optimal growth and yield.