(Sanitized)PROGRAM

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP75B00285R000200030063-8
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: S
• Document Page Count: 4
• Document Creation Date: December 12, 2016
• Document Release Date: July 10, 2002
• Sequence Number: 63
• Publication Date: February 16, 1968
• Content Type: MFR

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MEMORANDUM FOR THE RECORD
g1_
Air --- a
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16 February 1968
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25X1 SUBJECT:
This program was authorized for the purpose of determin-
ing crop yields and performing soil assessment analysis
through the use of aerial photography of selected agricultural
areas.
OSA was first briefed on this project on 22 August 1966,
25X1 At that time three high altitude
sorties were requested to cover areas of sugar cane and rice
near Thibodeaux and Crowley, Louisiana, and a wheat crop
area near Denver, Colorado. Prior to this time low level
photography had been obtained and studies made to determine
the feasibility of estimating crop yields from aerial photos.
For the high altitude U-2 flights a special camera was used
which was provided by The main drawback 25X1
was the fact that only ten seconds of film running time was
available due to the meager amount of the special film avail-
able. The flight over the selected area near Denver was
flown satisfactorily on 30 August. On 1 September the first
flight was flown over the Louisiana areas. On 28 September
and 25 October the Louisiana crop areas were covered again
which fulfilled the 1966 requirements for a three time coverage
of the areas. All flights were round robin sorties
25X1 out o
1. General: A meeting was held in April 1967 to 25X1
outline the test program for this year. At that time the
responsibilities for accomplishing this task were assigned.
ORD had overall responsibility for the entire project.
25X1 was given the responsibility for providing cameras,
oa ing and unloading, and performing preflight. Owould 25X1
also develop, process, and P.I. the film and estimate crop
yield. OSA would handle the flight scheduling and coordina-
tion. North Dakota was selected as the primary area for
25X1 the tests. Interest in crop estimate was centered
on wheat or this year. A one time look was planned for the
selected site near Denver which was covered in 1966. The
schedule called for photography coverage once a month from
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May through August. This would cover seedling; survival,
general vigor, post-heading assessment, pro-harvest assess-
ment and post-harvest assessment respectively. Other
factors such as disease, lodging and weed infestation were
to be evaluated for their affect in the estimates.
2. Cameras: Two types of special camera were planned
for use this year. A pair of 12 inch focal length 0 25X1
cameras developed by plus four 3 inch focal 25X1
length reconnaissance cameras were used on
each flight. The swath width using the was approxi- 25X1
mately 24 nautical miles. For the swath width 25X1
was about six nautical miles. Due to delay in delivery of
the the first sortie was not
flown until July.
a. The first flight was on 14 July. This covered
the Denver and North Dakota areas successfully.
b. On 25 July the film broke during flight thus
this mission was unsuccessful. 25X1
ORD, made a trip to the West Coastatter this flight
and personally emphasized the importance of a proper
pre-flight of the equipment by the Orepresentatives. 25X1
No further camera incidents occurred this year.
c. During August and September a total of six
sorties were flown in support of this program. The
last flight was on 28 September. A total of 0* lit
sorties were flown in support of the 1967
program of which seven were successful.
a. Following are 0 estimates for the 1967
wheat yeild for North Dakota.
DATE
ALL WHEAT
AVERAGE
ALL WHEAT
PRODUCTION
(bushels)
Oct
1967
5,640,391
151,711,438
Raw Data
13
Dec
1967
7,185,730
166,202,159
Revision
18
Dec
1967
7,272,146
174,147,661
Revision
Jan
1968
7,448,516
176,195,376
Feb
1968
171,999,000*
* Based on of 1%% sample of the entire state.
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b. The United States Department of Agriculture
(USDA) figures, based on actual count and calculations,
estimate a yield of 176,826,000 bushels of wheat. These
figures were published in December 1967. Final figures
will not be available until May 1968. The February
1968 0 estimate is within 2% of the December 1967
USDA figures.
c. The initial Destimate was based on photo
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interpretation using the six mile swath width of the
I Icamera. Obviously, this was not taking in a
large enough representative area as the figures obtained
were lower than the 1966 yield. The 1967 acreage had
been increased over that planted in 1966. Revisions
incorporated the procedure of hoto interpretation
using the 24 mile swath width lI cameras which 25X1
produced more realistic figures in small acreage areas.
Because of the narrow swath width of the 0 camera, 25X1
a true evaluation was not possible as unproductive
areas such as topography, soil zones, lakes, etc., were
reducing the percent of tillable land excessively in
small wheat areas. An increased number of sample points
was then included. Use of the panoramic camera
obtained from the 0 25X1
permitted a better estimate of yield in areas that had
appeared low. Consideration also had to be given in
estimating variable wheat yields within each county
based on historical data. One problem still to be
solved is the development of reliable signature charac-
teristics to identify wheat from other small grain
crops. Oproduction estimates are continuing by
further film analysis with particular emphasis being
placed on use of the 24 mile swath width film.
1968 Proposed Program
1. 1968 Flight Schedule:
a. Further flights are projected for the North
Dakota area but on a reduced number. These flights
will serve to further validate the procedures used
in 1967 and lend additional credence to the applied
methods in arriving at the estimates. A minimum of
four flights are projected.
b. Since rice is one of the other major crops
produced in the world, it is proposed to expand these
studies into that area outside the United States. An
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estimated 12 flights will be required to obtain the
desired coverage between June 1968 and June 1969.
Taiwan is the presently selected country for the rice
studies provided proper approval is given.
2. Camera Systems: Basically the same camera systems
will be utilized. For the cameras, a high quality
four inch focal length lens will be substituted for the
previous three inch lens. This will provide better scale
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features in them to obtain maximum photo interpretation
information used in the estimates.
3. Summary: No problems are envisioned in the support
of this program. 0 will have representatives in the field
to maintain preflight, load and unload cameras and will be
sufficiently informed of the program to assist in flight
coordination. Processing of black and white film would be
accomplished at the overseas detachment. This would serve
to determine at an early date whether a ref light might be
desirable, thus eliminating excessive delay in obtaining
the flight results.
Lt Colonel, USAF
Chief, IDEALIST Division, O/OSA
IDEA/O/OS I:bm(16 Feb 68)
Distribution:
1-D/SA
2-D/O/OSA
3-D/M/OSA
4-C/IDEA/O/OSA
5-C/INTEL/O/OSA
6-RB/OSA
7-Holdback
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25X1,
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