Precision Ag News

By: Mike Hemman, President, Orbia Precision Agriculture (Netafim), North America

Most farmers have relied on the practical know-how that's been passed on from one generation to the next, hard-earned wisdom based on painstaking observation, trial and error, and historic traditions. Growers learned how to read their fields by feel, by weather, and instinct. That valuable experience will always matter. However, once-reliable conditions are changing fast as the climate changes.

Persistent droughts, record heatwaves, and less reliable rainfall are changing historic patterns. Planting windows are tightening as seasonal cycles change. What worked in the past may not work in the future. This is where technology can support tradition, not as a replacement for what farmers know, but to enhance knowledge with more data and tighter control.

Precision agriculture can help growers drive efficiency in their farming operations. With sensors, GPS, and variable-rate technology, farmers can apply fertilizer, water, or seed more precisely. Precision applications save money and improve results. For example, utilizing subsurface drip irrigation (SDI) with data-driven automation has shown up to 30 percent fertilizer savings and 50 percent less water use. In some cases, yields improved by 10 to 50 percent. Some alfalfa growers nearly doubled their yield while using half the water.

Another critical area where technology can help reduce costs is labor. Automation helps growers reduce labor costs without sacrificing quality. Remote-operated farm equipment, drones, and robots are becoming more prevalent. One example is robotic weeding, which can reduce herbicide costs by over 30%. These technology advancements allow farmers to better utilize the scarce labor resources they have on the farm. Human labor can be focused on more complex decision-making, and automation can keep farms moving forward when labor is stretched thin.

As technology improves hardware costs continue to drop, making the utilization of this technology much more affordable. IoT-connected sensors are now relatively inexpensive and allow farmers to gain real-time insights throughout the life cycle of the crop. Utilization of drones and aerial imagery can also supplement sensor readings to help identify areas of crop stress. This information can all be seamlessly viewed in a simple dashboard, allowing growers to make timely decisions on irrigation and other cultural practices.

Farmers always measure ROI, and precision agriculture adoption should be no different. In most cases, the return on investment for these technology investments pays for itself within a few years. There’s also help available, as USDA cost-share programs, conservation programs, and industry partnerships can lower adoption costs and ease the transition to new technologies.

As global food demand rises, natural resources decrease, and crop inputs increase, we must learn to do more with less. Growers who invest in technology will improve their efficiency and stay one step ahead. While generational knowledge will always be important, we can now supplement the “art” of farming with real-time site-specific data. Technology will never replace the human touch, but it will expedite decision-making and drive efficiencies. When farmers combine both, they can act faster and smarter.

Farming never stands still. Each generation brings new technology to drive efficiency. Today’s tools, paired with generational experience, can help growers adapt to an ever-changing reality and keep producing for years to come.