Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Sentinel has created the Sentry Network, a network of Certified Service Providers (CSPs), to offer Sentinel to their grower customers. Our CSPs include independent agronomists, cooperatives, and ag retailers. Please reach out to Sentinel to see which provider is nearest to you.

Both tiers provide 12 months of software access. Sentinel offers 6 months of image-based insights, activatable at any time, while Sentinel Advanced provides continuous image-based insights for all 12 months. Additionally, Sentinel only offers flat-rate recommendations while Sentinel Advanced offers variable rate recommendations.

No. Sentinel released new capabilities in January 2025 that provide in-season nitrogen recommendations in dryland crop production.

Sentinel acquires near-daily multispectral satellite imagery to assess crop nitrogen status. It analyzes this data to isolate nitrogen response, quantify nitrogen demand, and forecast future needs. The platform then provides actionable insights and recommendations, including nitrogen sufficiency index (SI) trendlines, N demand warnings, and rate recommendations. Using Sentinel Plots, Sentinel distinguishes nitrogen response from other stress factors, such as moisture stress or other nutrient stress.

No. While fertigation provides many benefits for timely nitrogen management, fertigation is not necessary to use Sentinel.

Sentinel offers support through its Sentry Network of Certified Service Providers (CSPs), who combine local agronomic expertise with Sentinel insights. Sentinel also offers training for onboarding and an in-app chat box for users. Additionally, Sentinel hosts webinars periodically to present new features. More information can be found on our YouTube channel: http://www.youtube.com/@sentinel-ag.

Currently, Sentinel is optimized for corn and cereal grains, such as wheat, oats, and barley. However, additional crops are in beta and Sentinel expects to release these capabilities soon.

Yes, by optimizing nitrogen applications, Sentinel mitigates excessive fertilizer use, thereby minimizing environmental impact and addressing concerns like nitrate leaching into water resources.

Yes, Sentinel is accessible via web browsers on both desktop and mobile devices, providing flexibility for in-field decision-making. A shortcut to Sentinel can be installed on your mobile device’s home screen.

Yes, Sentinel integrates with platforms like the John Deere Operations Center™, Climate FieldView™, and Case AFSConnect™, enabling easy import of field boundaries and as-applied data, as well as automated performance reporting.

Yes, your data is private and secure. Only you and your approved advisors (such as your CSP) can access your field information. Additionally, as a Sentinel customer you are protected by an Ag Data Use Agreement that gives you co-ownership over your data with Sentinel. Through this agreement Sentinel is legally restricted from providing data to any third party without your consent. Sentinel is permitted to use your data to improve the services delivered to you and may anonymize and aggregate your data for performance reporting purposes.

• Internet access

• Field boundaries

• Information on your fertilizer applications (rate, product)

• Planting information and crop choice

• Willingness to set up Sentinel Plots, which are small check strips of high and low nitrogen, used to calibrate imagery to sense nitrogen demand.

• Willingness to apply nitrogen after planting if insights indicate that it is necessary. Willingness to apply after early vegetative growth is necessary for best results.

In on-farm trials, Sentinel has improved profits by $24 per acre and increased nitrogen use efficiency by 30%. It has been instrumental in helping farmers optimize applications and improve operational efficiency. Commercial results have shown consistent profit improvements of more than $37/ac across hundreds of fields and multiple years.

Sentinel uses satellite imagery that captures data in visible and near-infrared wavelengths. This imagery is 3m/pixel resolution, and is well-suited to sense crop nitrogen response and asses plant health. Typical imagery frequency is 3-4 quality images per week.

Sentinel is a web-based nitrogen management software platform that uses satellite imagery and proprietary analytics to deliver real-time, in-season nitrogen recommendations. It has helped growers determine when and how much nitrogen to apply, optimizing crop performance and profitability, since 2022.

Yes, Sentinel generates variable rate prescriptions based on real-time imagery analysis, allowing for precise nitrogen applications tailored to site-specific crop needs.

Growers using Sentinel have reported increased profits (up to $24/acre) and improved nitrogen use efficiency (NUE) by 30% in on-farm trials. The platform enables precise nitrogen applications, reducing waste and environmental impact. Additionally, Sentinel can help answer other nitrogen-related questions, such as nitrogen availability from manure, nitrogen tie-up due to cover crops, biological product response, and more.

All you need is the willingness and ability to apply a Nitrogen product while the crop is growing. Techniques include fertigation, Y-Drop/High Clearance machine, and aerial application.

Yes. If you use John Deere Operations Center, Climate FieldView, Case AFS Connect, or Lindsay FieldNET you can connect your software to N-Time to improve your efficiency. Simply navigate to Connections in your account configuration to connect. Contact us if you need help getting connected!

Most growers see a new image 3-4 times per week, though weather and atmospheric conditions can affect image frequency. Images may be received as often as daily. Once a new image is received, Sentinel analyzes it to produce updated insights.

To get started:

1. Enroll – Define and enroll the fields you want insights for by setting boundaries.

2. Establish – During a pre-emergence or early post-emergence fertilizer application, establish two plots: one with a higher N rate and one with a lower N rate.

3. Confirm – Log the application or transfer the as-applied data to Sentinel to confirm the setup.

Although Sentinel was developed for use in fertigated acres, we have since expanded to service rainfed and non-fertigated irrigated acres, particularly acres that receive nitrogen applications after planting.

Yes, Sentinel can also provide flat-rate recommendations for a field, using real-time imagery analysis. VRT technology is not required.

The cost of Sentinel can vary depending on the tier selected and the level of service provided by each CSP. Sentinel is generally priced to provide a 3x ROI. Please reach out to a local CSP to learn more about pricing.

No. Sentinel can help you regardless of your equipment's capabilities. While VRT can help make implementation easier, we have had many customers successfully use Sentinel without VRT.

You’ll see near-daily satellite imagery at 3m/pixel resolution, crop health maps, color-coded crop nitrogen status, a nitrogen sufficiency trendline graph, timing and rate recommendations, and much more. You’ll be notified of changes in the platform via text and/or email with delivery customizable to fit your preferences.

Sentinel utilizes near-daily satellite imagery to mitigate the impact of cloud cover. The platform ensures consistent monitoring by selecting the clearest images available for analysis. However, if no imagery is available for multiple days in a row, a model-based recommendation is available, ensuring that growers never go without a recommendation.