Producer Adoption of Precision Agriculture Technologies

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Producer Adoption of Precision Agriculture
Technologies

• Adam Ferrell
• Precision Agriculture 4313

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Numerous studies and experiments have shown that
use of precision agriculture technology can
provide a significant benefit to producers who
adopt it and use it properly. However, it seems
that these practices are meeting a good amount of
resistance and are being ignored by a large
number of producers.
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The Technology

• Indirect Sensing
• Precision Guidance
• Yield Monitoring
• Precision application of chemicals

greenseeker.okstate.edu
www.johndeere.com
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Results of a 2003 Survey conducted at Ohio State
University

• 15.3 used Grid soil sampling.
• 14.1 used variable rate P application.
• 7.7 used variable rate N application.
• 11.6 used a yield monitor.
• 5.2 used precision guidance.
• 31.8 used 1 or more precision ag. components
  opposed to 23.6 in 1999.

Results taken from study conducted by Marvin T.
Batte, Craig Pohlman, D. Lynn Forester and Brent
Sohngen.
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A Little Closer to Home
A simple study was conducted in Western Oklahoma
to determine the approximate level of acceptance
new technologies. 10 producers were surveyed. The
study also looked at many of the aspects of
their operations.
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The Results

• Average age- 45.4 years.
• 8 of 10 grow over 500 acres of crops annually.
• 2 produced cattle as their only marketed
  commodity.
• 6 produced cattle and wheat for grain.
• 2 produced cattle, wheat and hay.

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Results Continued

• 3 own a tractor manufactured after 1990.
• 3 soil utilize soil sampling.
• 3 used no-till production.
• 1 used precision ag technology.
• 3 said they would use precision ag technology if
  they knew more about it.
• 3 said they think new technologies are being well
  promoted.

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Reasons For Not Adopting New Technology

• Producers say that technology will not work well
  with their operation.
• Cant afford it.
• Dont have time for it.
• Producers say they can do just as good without
  it.
• Lack of backing from financial institutions.

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Other Factors Affecting Technology Adoption

• Producer age
• Tradition
• Equipment
• Other employment
• Lack of education

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Is Change Needed?

• It has been proven that the new technologies can
  help producers increase their profits by reducing
  inputs and optimizing production.
• However, it is very difficult to prove that all
  producers can benefit from new technology.

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Increasing Awareness

• Extension personnel need to be fully trained and
  educated on technology
• Producer organizations should be made aware of
  new technology so that they can promote it to
  their members
• Innovative producers must be sought out so that
  others can follow their example.

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The Future

• In the past agriculture has been slow to change.
• A new technology or technique must be given time
  to prove itself.
• In the future adoption of technology will
  increase as producers find that change is
  inevitable.

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Websites

• nue.okstate.edu
• www.trimble.com
• www.johndeere.com
• www.ntechindustries.com

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Questions?