Skip to main content
ARS Home » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #198536
Title: ON-FARM ANALYSIS OF PRECISION FARMING PRACTICES

Author
item MARTIN, STEVEN - MSU-DREC
item Hanks, James
item HARRIS, AUBREY - MSU-DREC
item WILLS, GENE - MSU-DREC
item BANERJEE, SWAGATA - MSU-DREC

Submitted to: Mississippi Agricultural and Forestry Experiment Station Research Report
Publication Type: Experiment Station
Publication Acceptance Date: 5/11/2006
Publication Date: 5/15/2006
Citation: Martin, S.W., Hanks, J.E., Harris, A., Wills, G., Banerjee, S. 2006. On-farm analysis of precision farming practices. Mississippi Agricultural and Forestry Experiment Station Research Report. Vol.23, No.19. 1pg.

Interpretive Summary: Preliminary investigations were conducted at Stoneville, MS to evaluate the economic feasibility of implementing a whole farm precision farming system. A 33-acre farm example was used to establish baseline cost estimates of these increasingly popular technologies. Findings suggest that per acre expense was relatively small ranging from $8.00 per acre to $12.00 per acre depending on the number of acres available. Acreage size may be smaller than conventional wisdom would suggest. Average annual savings due to reduction in production input in the study amounted to approximately $2.00 per acre. Possible yield increases may more than cover the cost of implementing a whole farm precision farming system even on minimum size farms

Technical Abstract: Precision farming technologies are becoming increasingly popular. However, few studies have addressed the whole farm and per acre expense of these technologies. A 33-acre farm example is used to establish baseline cost estimates of these technologies. Findings suggest that per acre expense is relatively small ($8.00 - $12.00 per acre) if sufficient acres are available. Acreage size may be smaller than conventional wisdom would suggest. Average annual input savings in the study amounted to approximately $2.00 per acre. Possible yield increases may more than cover the cost of implementing a whole farm precision farming system even on minimum size farms.