Precision Farming: Technologies and Information as Risk-Reduction Tools

Precision farming (PF) or site-specific fanning (SSF) is a relatively new concept in the management of production agriculture. Rooted in "management", PF brings the information age and space-age technology together with the science of producing food and fiber. In this process, there exists an increased opportunity to reduce environmental risks from pesticide use with improved environmental stewardship and greater economic profitability via more efficient use of scarce resources. PF thus is an example of combining newer techniques of satellites, remote sensing and computers with the familiar tools of soil testing, scouting and yield analyses. Information can help farmers reduce pesticide use, lower the need for insurance sprays, cut input costs and bring added environmental and economic soundness to the forefront. In order to exploit the potential for PF in accurately locating spatially variable pest/weed populations, a system of selectively applying cpas' (N, etc) is thus required. Development of "patch" sprayers, which are connected to computer-linked mapping, could allow treatment to patches within the field. Requirements for information acquisition, analysis, strategy development, delivery and evaluation of results can be very intensive depending upon the state of knowledge about the soil, N needs, as well as pest identification and development profiles. There remain serious questions about information ownership and economic benefits to all farmers. The various levels of information have to be well integrated in order to achieve an understanding about crop health and pest abundance/damage interactions, pest aggressiveness and invasion capacity, needed for a sustainable agriculture.