Transcript Dissemination and Adoption of Precision Agriculture

Dissemination and Adoption of
Precision Agriculture
Jenn Scott
Overview
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Types of Technology available and in use
Adoption Trends
Dissemination of information
Education of farmers and the
Recommended strategies
Technology Available
and in Use
• GPS and DGPS
• GIS
• Variable Rate Sensors
and applicators
• Sensors (field, soil, and
crop)
• Guidance Systems
• Remote Sensing
– Arial mapping/ satellite
imagery
– Grid soil sampling
– Soil mapping
– Yield monitors
(4)
• 1998 nationwide
survey of over 8,400
farmers indicated
that:
– 70% were not aware
of PA technologies
– 2% were aware but
not adopters
– <5% had adopted
some aspect of PA (6)
Stages of Adoption
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Awareness
Interest
Evaluation
Trial
Adoption
Awareness and the formation of attitudes
is influenced by ag producer’s socioeconomic characteristics.
Who is using PA? (3)
• Corn and Soybean farmers have been the most rapid
adopters of PA sensing tech.
• Use of yield monitors in 1996
– 30% corn in
– 25% soybeans
– 10% wheat
• Use of geo-referenced soil maps By 2000
– over 10% of cotton and wheat
– 17% of soybeans
– >20% of corn
• Purdue found that 60% of studies done indicated a positive return
for any given PA technology, 10% negative, and 30% mixed.
In The Corn Belt (2)
• In 16 states, only 9% utilized some form of PA
representing nearly 1/5th of the 1996 harvested
acreage
– 7% grid samples/maps
• Of these: 70% used sampling/mapping on 64% of their
acreage.
• 60% sampling 2.5 acre grids w/ 43% every 4 yrs.
– 4% applied fertilizer or lime with VRT
– 6% yield monitors during harvest
– 4% used yield monitor info to develop yield maps
Composite of Average Adopting Farmer
• Age
– 70% of adopters were under age 50 (2)
• Full-time farmers
– 90% listed farming as their major occupation
(2)
• Technology Savvy
– Using computerized record systems (2)
• Educated
– more education would enhance the ability of
the farm operator to utilize these
technologies.(1)
• Experience
– older farmers are less likely to invest to due shorter
planning horizons (2)
• Land Tenure
– Land ownership is widely believed to encourage
adoption of technologies. (6)
• Farm Size
– Lower unit cost by spreading their fixed investment in
PA over more acres -1
• Early adopters have different attributes than late
or non adapters
– Non adopters are very risk adverse.
Farm Characteristics
• Size was found to be positively associated with the
adoption of PA technology. (1)
– Due to substantial human and financial capital resources
– Probability of having all acreage under PA was also greater.
– Of the 9% of corn farmers using PA, they controlled 19% of
the corn acreage, indication adoption has occurred primarily
on the larger farms.
• Large family farm, very large family farms, and non-family farms
account for 61% of production. (8)
• Over 50% of farms sales were >$250,000
• 18% grossed <$100,000 in 1996
(2)
(2)
• How do we educate farmers about their choices
and about how to use the technology?
• How do we get them to adopt PA technologies?
Barriers to Adoption (6)
• Uncertainty in returns due to adoption
• High fixed cost of investment and info
acquisition
• Lack of demonstrated effects on yield
• Input use and environmental performance (5)
• Lack of appropriate service centers and
professionals (2)
Benefits of PA
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Make more informed management decisions
Improve input allocations
Be more efficient
Lower production costs
Improve Crop Yield / Increase profit margin.
Reduce chemical and fertilizer costs through
more efficient application.
• Reduce pollution.
(5)
Dissemination of Information
(10)
• So far, info has been targeted towards the “early
adopter” producers rather than main stream
producers.
• Only recently have they targeted advisors, crop
consultants and dealers.
• Oriented toward understanding concepts rather
than functionality of equipment or software.
• As PA progresses, the industry will have to
produce a range of info for all skill levels.
Methods of Dissemination
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Research Publications refereed journals
Newsletters
Extension Bulletins
Industry Guides
Internet
CD’s
(10)
Teaching PA
• Teaching PA in one talk or hour lecture is
impossible
• Field Days
• Conferences and Workshops
• Internet and web-based classes
Field Days
• Allows for learning ways to practically apply
technologies and management practices to
individual situations.
• Provides opportunity to become acquainted with
what is available
• Some hands-on access to tech: opportunity to
try out field computers, DGPS equip, GPS
software, guidance systems and other tech. w/o
investing large amounts of money.
Field Days, cont (12)
• Connects growers who lack local experts
in PA tech with people who can help
answer questions and solve problems.
• Must be carefully planned and organized
– Multiple sessions for multiple areas
– Try for smaller group sessions to allow max.
learning and visibility.
Conferences and Workshops
• Provide the opportunity to focus on PA for one to
many days
• Can provide hands on exercises
• PA tech isn’t necessarily crop specific, so can
use broad based sessions
• WPAC
• Assiniboine CC in Manitoba
• U of N- Lincoln
(9)
Internet and Web-based Classes
• NCES reports: distance ed. is a more common
feature at many post-secondary institutions.
• Is popular and will be more readily available in
the future
• Ag field has been among the slowest to adopt
dist. ed.
• With the rapid change of info in PA, internet
provides the best place for information due to
the ability to revise and update material.
(11)
Problems with Internet
• Majority of ag producers lack internet
access
• Quality and level of service in rural areas
can often be poor
• Users may not be able to take advantage
of all online tools despite having “access”
• Many with internet access don’t have
computers that are new enough or fast
enough for many programs.
Internet Access By Region
1997
1999
North East 14%
33%
North
Central
South
12%
28%
12%
25%
West
19%
41%
(11)
Natural Learning Process for PA
1. Learning and understanding the concept
of spatial data management, including
the importance and value of spatial data.
2. Learning the proper use of sensors
makes it possible to obtain intensive
sampling of quality info inexpensively.
3. Learning to use a computer and software
for mapping. (GIS)
(13)
4. Using info to make improved crop
production decisions through
assessment of yield variation and
determining potential causes.
5. Summarize and interpret data to develop
site-specific management plans.
6. Strategic sampling and on-farm trials
(13)
Future of PA Adoption
• Motivation to adopt may come from:
• Environmental regulations
– Much of the US corn is grown on or near
environmentally sensitive lands which require more
intensive management. (aquifers, rivers, lakes,
wetlands, etc)
• Public concern of excessive use of agro
chemicals
• And economic gain from reduced inputs and
improved farm management efficiency
References
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6.
8.
9.
Frenandez-Cornejo,J., Daberkow, S. McBride, W.D. Decomposing the
size effect on the adoption of innovations. AgBioForum, 4,2: 124-136.
Daberkow, S., McBride, W.D. Adoption rate of Site Specific Crop
Management Technologies Among US Corn Growers. Retrieved from
internet on April 0, 2004 from:
www.eomonline.com/modernagsite/archives/daberkow.html
Daberkow, S. Fernandez-Cornejo, J., Padgett, M. Precision Agriculture
Adoption Continues to Grow. Agricultural Outlook. November 2002.
Zhang, N., Wang, M., Wang, N. Precision Agriculture-a world overview.
Computers and Electronics in Agriculture. 36,2:125-139.
Batte, M.T, Arholt, M.W. Precision Farming Adoption and Use in Ohio:
case studies of six leading edge adopters. Computers and Electronics in
Agriculture. 38,2 : 124-139.
Daberkow, S., McBride, W.D. Farm and Operator Characteristics
Affecting the Awareness and Adoption of Precision Agriculture
Technologies in the US. Precision Agriculture, 4, 163-177, 2003.
www.usda.gov/new/pubs/fbook00/factbook2000.pdf
Fiez, T. Providing Precision Farming Education through Conferences and
Workshops. Precision Agriculture, 3, 353-358. 2002
References
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Ferguson, R. B. Educational Resources for Precision Agriculture.
Precision Agriculture, 3, 359-371, 2002
Pocknee, S. Kvien, C. Web Based Educational Programs In
Precision Agriculture. Precision Agriculture, 3, 327-340, 2002.
Heiniger, R.W., Havlin, J.L., Kvien, C. Knowles, T. Seeing is
Believing: the Role of Field Days and Tours in Precision
Agriculture Education. Precision Agriculture, 3, 309-218, 2002.
Kitchen, N. R., Snyder, C.J., Franzen, D.W., Wiebold, W.J.
Educational Needs of Precision Agriculture. Precision Agriculture,
3, 341-351, 2002.