Different industries, from manufacturing to construction, leverage technological advancements to enhance overall performance. Industries usually make a list of new developments shaping each segment annually. The agriculture sector is not different, especially with the emergence of precision technology. Unlike in the past, when farmers did not have control over farming processes, precision agriculture allows them to manage inputs and yields accurately. That said, farmers must first understand the core elements of precision agriculture products before making any investment.
This post highlights the core features of precision agriculture products.
Variable Rate Technology (VRT)
The first crucial feature regarding precision agriculture products is variable-rate technology. Through VRT, farmers can control inputs applied to specific locations on a farm. The technology comprises a computer system, software, a controller, and a differential global positioning system (DGPS). Notably, farmers can leverage VRT capabilities manually, through sensors installed in their farms, or via GPS mapping. The approach a farmer decides to use depends on the features of a precision product.
Remote Sensing
Accuracy is of utmost importance in farm management. It is particularly the case when dealing with vast tracts of farmland. For instance, managing a 100-acre piece of land is not particularly easy because farmers have to monitor water usage and other resources closely. Farmers must also understand the different crop stressors to ensure that farm yields are not affected, which is where the remote sensing capabilities of precision agriculture products prove critical.
By using sensors, farmers can determine different factors affecting crops at specific locations and points in time. For example, sensors placed at specific points on a farm can record moisture levels throughout the day. The moisture readings can be picked by drones and analysed to facilitate the formulation of irrigation strategies. While farmers have access to different sensors, remote sensing in water management is the most advanced because landowners often look for ways to manage water considering increased regulations and scarcity.
Precision Weather
Global warming has made it difficult for farmers to predict the weather accurately, making decision-making somewhat challenging. Therefore, the modern farmer is leveraging precision weather strategies to stay ahead of the rest. An excellent example of precision weather is on-farm weather stations, which ensure that farmers can monitor temperature, precipitation, and humidity in real-time. Thus, farmers can protect their crops from adverse weather conditions and pests. The best part is that you can rely on the internet-of-things to connect different on-farm weather equipment.
