Overview
Background
Professor Andries B. Potgieter is a Principal Research Fellow at the Queensland Alliance for Agriculture and Food Innovation (QAAFI), University of Queensland, and an international leader in Digital Agriculture. With a career spanning over 35 years across government, industry, and academia, his research integrates remote sensing, climate forecasting, and crop–climate modelling to support resilient, data-driven decision-making in agriculture. He is currently a key research collaborator in the $36 million GRDC-funded Analytics for the Australian Grains Industry (AAGI) initiative, where he leads digital analytics activities within UQ.
Professor Potgieter’s work focuses on developing predictive tools that combine satellite Earth observation, machine learning, and crop simulation to improve seasonal forecasting, crop monitoring, and risk management. He has pioneered widely adopted innovations such as the CropID tool, now commercialised via Data Farming Pty Ltd, and his models have influenced decision frameworks at Statistics Canada and the FAO. His 114 peer-reviewed publications have accrued over 4,000 citations, and his Field-Weighted Citation Impact (FWCI) places him in the top 5% of researchers globally.
He has built a thriving interdisciplinary research program and mentoring pipeline, supervising PhD, Masters, and MoDS students, and supporting postdoctoral researchers who now work at AWS, Sugar Research Australia, and the Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences. His leadership in global partnerships has positioned UQ as a preferred academic collaborator for international institutions tackling climate-smart agriculture.
Current projects
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Analytics for the Australian Grains Industry (AAGI) – Digital analytics for yield forecasting and decision tools for grain growers (GRDC)
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CropVision – Satellite remote sensing and AI for field-scale crop production forecasting (ARC Linkage)
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RiskSSmart – Integration of Earth observation and climate models for sorghum risk mitigation (SmartSat CRC)
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Root Phenomics – Linking above-ground sensing to root system architecture to accelerate phenotyping of drought-tolerant cereals (GRDC; Chief Investigator)
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ARC Training Centre for Predictive Breeding in Agricultural Futures – Developing next-generation tools and training pathways for climate-resilient crop improvement (ARC Industrial Transformation Training Centres; Collaborating Investigator)
Previous research highlights
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Late Maturity Alpha Amylase (LMA) Risk Modelling – National-scale risk prediction framework for wheat quality (GRDC)
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CropPhen – High-throughput phenotyping for crop type and growth stage detection via drone/UAV (GRDC)
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SIMLESA and YieldShield – Groundbreaking work in food insecurity mapping and climate risk insurance across eastern and southern Africa
Availability
- Associate Professor Andries Potgieter is:
- Available for supervision
Fields of research
Qualifications
- Doctor of Philosophy, University of Southern Queensland
Research impacts
Transforming agricultural decision-making through digital tools My research has led to practical innovations that help farmers, government agencies, and agribusinesses make better decisions under climate uncertainty. By combining satellite imagery, climate data, and artificial intelligence, I have created tools that support crop forecasting, risk assessment, and sustainable farming practices at local, national, and global levels.
Real-world outcomes
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CropID, a remote sensing tool developed through my research, has been commercialised by Data Farming Pty Ltd and is now used across Australia to map and monitor crops—helping reduce fertiliser waste and improve land management.
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My seasonal yield forecasting models have been adopted by the Queensland Government and informed policy and logistics planning.
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Statistics Canada built their national crop forecasting system using frameworks I co-developed, showing international uptake.
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I co-developed YieldShield™, Australia’s first climate-based crop insurance product, which helped farmers manage drought risk.
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In 2024–2025, I was contracted by the FAO to adapt these models for use in low-income countries, supporting food security initiatives in Africa and Latin America.
Broader benefits
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Economic impact: My tools improve supply chain planning, reduce crop losses, and inform commodity trading and insurance.
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Environmental impact: Precision monitoring enables more efficient fertiliser use, reducing runoff and environmental harm.
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Social impact: My training and mentoring of students and early-career researchers builds long-term capability in digital agriculture, both in Australia and internationally.
Works
Search Professor Andries Potgieter’s works on UQ eSpace
2015
Journal Article
An integrated, probabilistic model for improved seasonal forecasting of agricultural crop yield under environmental uncertainty
Newlands, Nathaniel K., Zamar, David S., Kouadio, Louis A., Zhang, Yinsuo, Chipanshi, Aston, Potgieter, Andries, Toure, Souleymane and Hill, Harvey S. J. (2015). An integrated, probabilistic model for improved seasonal forecasting of agricultural crop yield under environmental uncertainty. Frontiers in Environmental Science, 2 (17) 17, 1-21. doi: 10.3389/fenvs.2014.00017
2015
Book Chapter
Raising productivity of maize-based cropping systems in eastern and southern Africa: Step-wise intensification options
Dimes, John, Rodriguez, Daniel and Potgieter, Andries (2015). Raising productivity of maize-based cropping systems in eastern and southern Africa: Step-wise intensification options. Crop Physiology Applications for Genetic Improvement and Agronomy. (pp. 93-110) edited by Sadras, Victor O and Calderini, Daniel F. United States of America: Elsevier : Academic Press. doi: 10.1016/B978-0-12-417104-6.00005-4
2014
Journal Article
Spatial estimation of wheat yields from Landsat's visible, near infrared and thermal reflectance bands
Potgieter, A. B., Power, B., Mclean, J., Davis, P. and Rodriguez, D. (2014). Spatial estimation of wheat yields from Landsat's visible, near infrared and thermal reflectance bands. International Journal of Remote Sensing Application, 4 (3), 134-143. doi: 10.14355/ijrsa.2014.0403.03
2014
Conference Publication
Seeing is believing I: the use of thermal sensing from satellite imagery to predict crop yield
Potgieter, A. B., Rodriguez, D., Power, B., Mclean, J. and Davis, P. (2014). Seeing is believing I: the use of thermal sensing from satellite imagery to predict crop yield. ISDE 2013: The 8th International Symposium On Digital Earth, Kuching, Sarawak, Malaysia, 26-28 August 2013. Temple Way, Bristol, United Kingdom: Institute of Physics Publishing. doi: 10.1088/1755-1315/18/1/012118
2013
Conference Publication
Sorghum yield trends in NE Australia are high
Potgieter, Andries (2013). Sorghum yield trends in NE Australia are high. ASGC 2013: Australian Summer Grains Conference, Ashmore, QLD, Australia, 17-19 June, 2013.
2013
Conference Publication
Forecasting the major crops for Australia and crop yield insurance: an integrated climate, biophysical and remote sensing approach
Potgieter, Andries, Hammer, Graeme, Rodriguez, David, Doherty, Alastair, Davis, Peter, Power, Brendan and Book, Peter (2013). Forecasting the major crops for Australia and crop yield insurance: an integrated climate, biophysical and remote sensing approach. The Challenges of Index-Based Insurance for Food Security in Developing Countries: A Technical Workshop organised by JRC & IRI, Ispra Varese, Italy, 2-3 May, 2012. Luxembourg, Luxembourg: Office for Official Publications of the European Union, European Commission. doi: 10.2788/713
2013
Journal Article
Determining crop acreage estimates for specific winter crops using shape attributes from sequential MODIS imagery
Potgieter, A. B., Lawson, K. and Huete, A. R. (2013). Determining crop acreage estimates for specific winter crops using shape attributes from sequential MODIS imagery. International Journal of Applied Earth Observation and Geoinformation, 23 (1), 254-263. doi: 10.1016/j.jag.2012.09.009
2013
Journal Article
Spatial impact of projected changes in rainfall and temperature on wheat yields in Australia
Potgieter, A., Meinke, H., Doherty, A., Sadras, V. O., Hammer, G., Crimp, S. and Rodriguez, D. (2013). Spatial impact of projected changes in rainfall and temperature on wheat yields in Australia. Climatic Change, 117 (1-2), 163-179. doi: 10.1007/s10584-012-0543-0
2013
Conference Publication
From information to actionable knowledge: hotspots of food insecurity in Eastern Africa
Potgieter, Andries, Rodriguez, Daniel, Davis, Peter and Dimes, John (2013). From information to actionable knowledge: hotspots of food insecurity in Eastern Africa. The Challenges of Index-Based Insurance for Food Security in Developing Countries: A Technical Workshop organised by JRC & IRI, Ispra Varese, Italy, 2-3 May 2012. Luxembourg, Luxembourg: Office for Official Publications of the European Union, European Commission. doi: 10.2788/713
2012
Conference Publication
Determining cropping patterns and intensities through the use of multi-temporal MODIS imagery for the Murray-Darling Basin, Queensland Australia
Potgieter, Andries, Mallawaarachchi, Thilak and Ross, Helen (2012). Determining cropping patterns and intensities through the use of multi-temporal MODIS imagery for the Murray-Darling Basin, Queensland Australia. XXII International Society for Photogrammetry and Remote Sensing Congress, Melbourme, Australia, 25 August - 1 September 2012. Melbourne, Australia: IPRS.
2012
Conference Publication
Climate change severely affects wheat yield trends across southern Australia, whereas sorghum yield trends surge
Stephens, David, Potgieter, Andries, Doherty, Al, Davis, Peter and Nunweek, Mike (2012). Climate change severely affects wheat yield trends across southern Australia, whereas sorghum yield trends surge. 16th Australian Agronomy Conference 2012, Armidale, NSW, Australia, 14-18 October 2012. Armidale, NSW, Australia: Australian Society of Agronomy.
2011
Journal Article
Estimating winter crop area across seasons and regions using time-sequential MODIS imagery
Potgieter, Andries, Apan, Armando, Hammer, Graeme and Dunn, Peter (2011). Estimating winter crop area across seasons and regions using time-sequential MODIS imagery. International Journal of Remote Sensing, 32 (15), 4281-4310. doi: 10.1080/01431161.2010.486415
2011
Conference Publication
The sustainable intensification of maize-legume farming systems in eastern and southern Africa (SIMLESA) program
Mulugetta, M., Dimes, J, Dixon, J., Potgieter, A., Prasanna, B., Rodriguez, D., Shiferaw, B. and Wall, P. (2011). The sustainable intensification of maize-legume farming systems in eastern and southern Africa (SIMLESA) program. 5th World Congress on Conservation Agriculture and Farming Systems Design, Brisbane, Australia, 26-29 September 2011. Canberra, Australia: Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research.
2010
Journal Article
Early-season crop area estimates for winter crops in NE Australia using MODIS satellite imagery
Potgieter, A. B., Apan, A., Hammer, G. and Dunn, P. (2010). Early-season crop area estimates for winter crops in NE Australia using MODIS satellite imagery. Isprs Journal of Photogrammetry And Remote Sensing, 65 (4), 380-387. doi: 10.1016/j.isprsjprs.2010.04.004
2010
Journal Article
Quantification of wheat water-use efficiency at the shire-level in Australia
Doherty, A., Sadras, V. O., Rodriguez, D. and Potgieter, A. (2010). Quantification of wheat water-use efficiency at the shire-level in Australia. Crop and Pasture Science, 61 (1), 1-11. doi: 10.1071/CP09157
2008
Journal Article
Drought risk and vulnerability in rainfed agriculture: Example of a case study from Australia., Drought management: scientific and technological innovations
Stone, R.C. and Potgieter, A. (2008). Drought risk and vulnerability in rainfed agriculture: Example of a case study from Australia., Drought management: scientific and technological innovations. Options Méditerranéennes, Series A (80), 29-40.
2008
Conference Publication
A national benchmark for the Australian wheat industry: accounting for overlooked climate drivers
Doherty, Alistair, Rodriguez, Daniel, Andries Potgieter and Sadras, Victor (2008). A national benchmark for the Australian wheat industry: accounting for overlooked climate drivers. 2008 14th ASA: The 14th Australian Society of Agronomy Conference, Adelaide, SA, Australia, 21-25 September, 2008. Gosford, NSW, Australia: The Regional Institute.
2008
Conference Publication
Shire scale impacts and adaptation options for Australian cereal crops affected by climate change
Potgieter, Andries, Doherty, Alistair, Crimp, Steven, Rodriguez, Daniel, Hammer, Graeme L., Meinke, Holger and Fearweather, H. (2008). Shire scale impacts and adaptation options for Australian cereal crops affected by climate change. 2008 14th ASA: The 14th Australian Society of Agronomy Conference, Adelaide, SA, Australia, 21-25 September, 2008. Gosford, NSW, Australia: The Regional Institute.
2007
Journal Article
Assessing the relationship between shire winter crop yield and seasonal variability of the MODIS NDVI and EVI images
Fontana, Denise Cybis, Potgieter, Andries B. and Apan, Armando (2007). Assessing the relationship between shire winter crop yield and seasonal variability of the MODIS NDVI and EVI images. Applied GIS, 3 (7).
2007
Conference Publication
From rainfall to farm incomes - Transforming advice for Australian drought policy. I. Development and testing of a bioeconomic modelling system
Kokic, Philip, Nelson, Rohan, Meinke, Holger, Potgieter, Andries and Carter, John (2007). From rainfall to farm incomes - Transforming advice for Australian drought policy. I. Development and testing of a bioeconomic modelling system. International Expert Team Workshop on Impact of Climate Change/Variability and Medium- to Long-Range Predictions for Agriculture, Brisbane, Australia, 15-18 February 2005. Collingwood, Vic., Australia: CSIRO Publishing. doi: 10.1071/AR06193
Funding
Current funding
Supervision
Availability
- Associate Professor Andries Potgieter is:
- Available for supervision
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Supervision history
Current supervision
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Doctor Philosophy
Insights into the associations between functional above ground plant traits and root function for drought adaptation in sorghum.
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Barbara George-Jaeggli, Dr Samir Alahmad, Dr Dongxue Zhao
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Doctor Philosophy
Determining the effects of abiotic stress on crop growth development, and yield under different nitrogen applications using remotely sensed data for cotton and wheat.
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Scott Chapman, Dr William Woodgate
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Doctor Philosophy
On-ground management of soil nutrients by integrating proximal and remote sensing platforms in northern Australian savannas grazing lands
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Yan Zhao, Professor Susanne Schmidt
Completed supervision
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2025
Doctor Philosophy
New insight and tools to increase yield potential and reliability in mungbean
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Lee Hickey, Dr Hannah Robinson, Dr Millicent Smith
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2025
Doctor Philosophy
Estimating biomass and radiation-use-efficiency in wheat variety trials using unmanned aerial vehicles
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Scott Chapman
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2024
Doctor Philosophy
New insights into designer root systems for durum wheat improvement
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Emma Mace, Dr Samir Alahmad, Professor Lee Hickey
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2023
Master Philosophy
Crop sensing as a tool to assist data collection in maize agronomic trials
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Joe Eyre, Professor Daniel Rodriguez
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2022
Doctor Philosophy
Hyperspectral sensing methods and genome-wide association studies to improve photosynthetic capacity in sorghum
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Graeme Hammer, Dr Alex Wu, Dr Barbara George-Jaeggli
Media
Enquiries
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