NCERA180: Precision Agriculture Technologies for Food, Fiber, and Energy Production
Statement of Issues and Justification
The concept of precision agriculture (PA) holds significant potential for agriculture not only in the North Central Region of the United States, but around the world. The process of applying innovative technologies and principles to identify and manage spatial and temporal variability in agricultural production is a promising and challenging scientific pursuit.By 2050 worldwide demand for food is expected to increase by 70% (UN-FAO, 2009) and demand for energy by more than 40% (DOE-EIA, 2010). To meet these needs, production systems will need to be intensified and made sustainable in the long run. Precision technologies have a proven record of reducing crop inputs, reducing degradation of our soil, water, and air resources, and minimizing the impact of agriculture on global climate change.
Adoption of PA has been rapid in some crops/regions, but severely lacking in others. A 2010 Ohio study found a 39% producer adoption rate of one or more precision agriculture technologies (Diekmann and Batte, 2010). While guidance technologies and applications based on guidance such as sprayer nozzle and boom controls and planter controls have been rapidly adopted in the North Central Region, applications that depend on spatial interrelationships such as variable rate applications of fertilizers, seeds, and pesticides have not seen continued growth in adoption. The spatial and temporal patterns of agricultural fields are like any biologically-based systemmore complicated than they often appear, influenced by dozens of factors and their interactions, and often not responding consistently to management inputs.
PA is a broad-based concept, drawing on the expertise and experience of a number of disciplines. NCERA-180 members and participants represent crop, soil, and weed sciences; entomology, plant pathology, agricultural engineering, applied economics, spatial statistics, and rural sociology, among others. NCERA-180 provides a critical linkage for multi-disciplinary communication and interaction among the scientists conducting research, education, and extension activities. The science of PA is being advanced not only in academic settings, but in the hundreds of companies that provide equipment, technological support services, and advice. NCERA-180 encourages industry representation to maintain an open and realistic discussion. Annual meetings provide a forum for in-depth discussion and analysis of new research developments and coordination of present and future multi-state projects.
Today's agricultural scientists must be concerned with the training of scientists for tomorrow. Communication and coordination of relevant materials that can be used in the curriculum of our universities is an on-going responsibility of NCERA-180 members. The courses at individual colleges and universities tend to focus on the research experiences and expertise of the instructors. This committee works to broaden the learning experiences of students.
Precision farming has the potential to differentially transform the productive capacity and minimize the variability of production systems amidst weather extremes and landscape variability by optimizing crop responses over time and space. We intend to advance the science and application of precision crop management, provide knowledge and support to those utilizing precision farming, and to inform and motivate the next generation of leaders in this field. This will benefit society by enhancing the security of food, fiber, and energy production systems, simultaneously reduce the impact or even enhance local soil, water, and air quality, and as a result reduce agricultures impact on global climate change.
Back to Top