The Precision Agriculture Center at the University of Missouri conducted four focus groups across a geographically diverse area within the North Central Region (Higginsville, MO; Sioux City, NE; Bloomington, IL; Fort Wayne, IN) during the summer of 1998 to learn about precision agriculture (PA) needs from soybean growers.

Two sets of soybean producers were invited to be part of the focus groups; one set with little or no experience in precision agriculture (non-adopters), the second set having at least two years of experience with some aspect of precision agriculture (adopters).

Cost of Technology Adoption – Nearly all participants focused on the cost of PA because costs were tangible and relatively easy to document. Until one or two "systems" become dominant, with the bugs worked out, producers will be reluctant to accept high investment costs, particularly in the face of low commodity prices. Both groups (adopters and non-adopters) mentioned that the time and expertise needed to learn how to use the equipment and software represented a significant obstacle and are frustrated that precision agriculture equipment and software are not more "user-friendly".

Training and Consultation – Both groups indicated they did not have access to sufficient training to make them fully competent in the use of PA tools. They also stated that commercial representatives for various input dealers need training in PA techniques and analytical methods.

Data Quality Control – Participants indicated that they experienced several areas of difficulty in maintaining good quality data collection.

Consumer Guide – Both groups desired more information about the comparative advantages / disadvantages of different PA equipment and
techniques, hardware, software and input combinations. The information should also address the conditions of farming for which PA will likely have the greatest benefit.

Environmental Aspects – Participants indicated they wanted to see research that documented environmental improvements without affecting yields. They felt their ability to "prove" they were using the best possible practices would protect them from blame in contributing to non-point source pollution, as well as provide a way to improve their own conservation practices.

• spot-treatment of weeds

• soil moisture and variable irrigation

• interaction between PA and varieties

• standardization of equipment design

• field management for variable yield goals

• soil sampling techniques and practices

• direct measurement of fertility

• soil moisture and soil quality

• disease and insect management

• Use PA tools to identify soybean yield-limiting factors and relationship to yield variation.

• Increase understanding of soil quality and relationship to site-specific soybean yield.

• Develop "on-the-go" sensors for assessing soil properties.

• Develop standards for hardware and/or software compatibility and uniform product evaluation procedures.

• Study interactions of livestock manure, soybean growth and yield and PA tools.

• Develop education / training programs for producers including written documents and face-to-face training.

• Develop education / training programs for dealers, including training exercises in electronic format.