20 Years of Precision Agriculture

Many changes have taken place in the precision ag industry since its inception. We have come from having to put wires together with computing power of 386 computers to collect harvest data off the combine to where today we can use an Ipad to control many functions such as planters. In the early days we collected data but had no software to use the data where as today we collect data, download to a USB stick and then upload either to the cloud for use in programs on the web or into software to do data anaylsis. We have come a long way but in some ways we are reinventing the wheel. Back in the mid to late 90’s I was a part of a group that had a vision of programs on the web with resources fully available to do the analysis. Problem was slow internet and not enough computing power. Today, industry is still trying to replicate systems built years ago that were more advanced in some ways than our current programs. We have come from grid soil sampling, variable rate fertilizer and chemicals to today we can almost do any thing imaginable with controllers and GPS. I will have a history of development of GPS to todays RTK and further advancements. Research in this time period has also advanced but in ways are replications of early year projects but with todays computing power we can now analyze data and make useful management decisions. We still have mountains of information that has yet to be analyzed and used in a profitable manner. We will see many more changes as the industry continues to discuss ownership of data and how that data can be used.
Speaker
Scattered Acres Farm
3014N 1500E Road
Mansfield, IL 61854
217-202-4817

Biography:
Our farm is a 3000 acre corn and soybean farm in east central Illinois. Our farm has been on the cutting edge of precision ag technology since its beginning. I have been in the testing and development of many of the items on the market today. Having an agronomy background has led to my involvement in research projects involving precision ag with not only private concerns but also with USDA ARS, Universities and NASA. This has lead to speaking engagements in foreign countries. My involvement with grower organizations has led to travels around the world discussing trade issues, sustainability issues and the opportunity to study agriculture in other countries. This has broadened my views of world trade and policy. Being a founding board member of USSEC ( US Soybean Export Council) lead interaction with trade officials in other countries along with having a better understanding of how US exports enter the world market. In Washington, I have worked on two farm bills (1990 and 1998) along with serving as a reviewer of ARS research projects. Serving on the GIPSA board lead to a broader view of how US grain trade works from a regulator view point. Using futures and options has led to a greater use of information gathering sources to make better marketing decisions.

Date
July 16, 2013 01:00pm
July 16, 2013 03:30pm


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