In a recent report released by the USDA, it was revealed that precision agriculture practices are gaining significant ground in the top corn, wheat, soybean, and hog states across the US. These states are showing twice the likelihood of adopting precision agriculture techniques compared to their counterparts in smaller-volume states.
The report, known as the Technology Use report, is published biennially and provides insights into the evolving trends in the agricultural sector.
The USDA’s findings highlight that the usage of precision agriculture practices, which include technologies like GPS guidance and yield monitoring, is notably higher in the leading row-crop states.
Remarkably, these practices have been adopted by more than 50 percent of farmers in these states, while the nationwide average stands at 27 percent. This underscores the growing enthusiasm and recognition among farmers for the benefits offered by precision agriculture.
However, the adoption of precision agriculture practices is undergoing gradual growth. Initially recorded at 25 percent in 2021 when the USDA introduced the inquiry, it has since increased to 27 percent this year.
In 2023, the utilization of the internet for purchasing agricultural inputs experienced a 3 percent surge compared to 2021, reaching 32 percent of farms.
Similarly, the use of the internet for promoting agricultural activities increased by 2 percent from 2021, with 23 percent of farms adopting this practice. Additionally, there was a 2 percent uptick in farms engaging in transactions with non-agricultural websites, bringing the total to 49 percent in 2023.
States like Illinois, Iowa, Kansas, Nebraska, North Dakota, and South Dakota are at the forefront of this movement, with at least half of the producers in these states reporting the implementation of precision agriculture methods in their operations over the past year.
These methods encompass a wide array of techniques, ranging from GPS-assisted steering and yield monitoring to variable rate input applications, drone-assisted field scouting, and even robotic milking. North Dakota takes the lead with an impressive 57 percent adoption rate.
The significance of precision agriculture in these states is further underlined by their role as leading producers of key crops. Iowa, for instance, holds the distinction of being the top corn and hog state, while Illinois takes the lead in soybeans.
Kansas and North Dakota vie for the top spot in wheat production. These states also contribute significantly to the production of cattle, grain, sunflowers, and other crops, thus amplifying the impact of precision agriculture adoption.
However, the report also points out disparities in adoption rates across different states. While precision agriculture has achieved strong adoption in certain states, it lags behind in others. For instance, Texas, a significant cattle and cotton producer, reported an adoption rate of just 13 percent.
Similarly, Indiana and Minnesota, which are prominent corn and soybean states, reported rates of 32 percent. In California, a major producer of fruits, vegetables, and milk, the adoption rate stood at 40 percent.
The report also delves into technology usage among farmers, revealing that around 85 percent of farms have access to the internet. Smartphones are more common among farmers, with 82 percent ownership, compared to desktop or laptop computers, owned by 69 percent of farmers.
The data presented in the report was collected through a survey of 14,000 agricultural operations conducted in June. With approximately 2 million farms in the US, defined as places where agricultural products worth $1,000 or more are produced and sold annually, the report provides a comprehensive snapshot of the evolving landscape of precision agriculture adoption in the country.
As technology continues to advance and farmers recognize the tangible benefits of precision agriculture, it is expected that these trends will continue to shape the future of farming practices in the US.
Precision Farming
