Lessons Learned from Technology Adoption: Precision Technology on the Farm

Many farmers began implementing precision farming practices — such as grid soil sampling, digital soil maps, yield monitors, and variable-rate fertilizer and soil amendment applications — in the 1990s. Following those were equipment guidance systems and GPS-connected controllers on sprayers and planters. Although guidance and computer-driven controllers on sprayers and planters have been widely adopted, many farmers have still not adopted information-intensive forms of precision agriculture. Bruce Erickson, Ph.D., Purdue University, and Tom Oswald, United Soybean Board farmer-leader, discuss the adoption of precision technology and factors influencing the adoption on farms across the U.S. The panelists also cover issues related to technology adoption in the digital age of farming. A recording of the webinar with slides can be found here.