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Spotlight....By Roger Brook

June, 1999

THE USEFULNESS OF PRECISION AGRICULTURE TECHNOLOGIES

Farmers talking about precision agriculture often discuss satellites in space, computers and variable rate fertility equipment. After the initial amazement with the technology, most farmers are asking "Is this profitable? Is this technology worth the cost?"

During my time as an engineering student, I was taught that I need to look at the benefits, and the costs for achieving these benefits.

Benefits often cited in the research include increased production, reduced fertilizer requirements, reduced use of pest control chemicals and less environmental impact. Some of these benefits can be quantified, environmental impact is less easily assessed.

Costs must include not only the production materials (seed, chemicals, fuel), but equipment (including the new technology) and the time costs (purchased expertise and learning time).

Several attempts at determining the economics of precision agriculture have often reached conflicting conclusions and reviews of these studies have concluded that the economics of precision agriculture are site-specific. Yes, there are net benefits for using precision agriculture technologies in some instances, and not in others. But, the best examples of the usefulness of precision agriculture technologies is still anecdotal.

I firmly believe that the more detailed information provided by precision agriculture will benefit the users of this technology. An important benefit of precision agriculture technologies will be in the change that happens in farm management. Improved knowledge of yield patterns, field characteristics and their relationships will affect field management in subsequent years.

Geographic Information System (GIS) software is an important tool for the management and analysis of data collected using precision agriculture technologies. For example, fertility recommendations could integrate soil test, projected yield, soil survey information and management history when developing site-specific nutrient management plans.

GIS software allows us to "stack" maps of different variables for fields that we have monitored, including:

 

We have just begun to explore the possibilities for GIS software as a tool for managing and interpreting the vast amount of data generated by precision agriculture technologies. As we (producers, agri-business and Extension) learn to use these technologies, the industry will perceive the usefulness of precision agriculture technologies.