Precision Farming: What is it?

By: Matt MacIntosh

Tech continues changing how farmers raise animals and grow crops

There was a time, not that long ago, when smartphones were rare. Similarly, the internet really hasn’t been around for that long. Despite this, these and other technologies have drastically changed how we live and work – that includes farming and ranching.  

Technologies allowing us to more effectively raise crops and animals have had an enormous impact around the world, including in Canada. In recent decades, the umbrella term “precision agriculture” has been commonly used to describe tools and techniques farmers and ranchers can use to improve how food and agricultural materials are produced. 

What “precision” means 

An exact definition of precision agriculture is somewhat difficult to pin down. Institutions such as Michigan State University – a school well known for its agricultural research and farming programs – defines it like this: 

“Precision agriculture (a.k.a. precision ag, precision farming) uses different technology tools along with data collection and interpretation to make farming more efficient and effective…Precision agriculture started with GPS guidance for tractors, enabling automatic driving based on the map coordinates of a field. Agricultural technology continues to expand and grow, as new ways are developed to help farmers determine irrigation, fertilizer, and seed ratio to increase yield.” 

Today’s precision farming technologies are both large and diverse in number. From satellite-guided tractors and autonomous robots to drones and soil-analyzing field sensors, each is designed to help farmers and ranchers be more efficient and produce more with less. 

With the right apps, even the common smartphone is a powerful precision farming tool. Those growing crops can better plan some of their management tasks by receiving notifications on incoming weather patterns and potential pathogen pressures. Those with livestock can ensure their barns and other farm structures stay safe and at optimal climactic conditions for the animals inside. Similarly, smartphones can be used in conjunction with scannable livestock tags to maintain food traceability throughout the vale chain. 

When it comes to fertilizer, for example, many technologies are designed to help get the right type and amount of fertilizer to the exact place where it is needed, and at the right time of year. These “variable rate” tools can come in the form of new equipment designs or software which farmers control via their tablet or smartphone.  

Environmental benefits 

Precision technologies help farmers and ranchers save money on inputs – that is, materials like fertilizer and seed required to produce crops and livestock. This also brings many environmental benefits.

Knowing exactly how much fertilizer is required in a specific part of the field, for example, helps reduce the risk of over-application. By taking steps to ensure there is no unnecessary fertilizer in the area, farmers can mitigate the risk of fertilizer entering waterways. Similarly, having a better understanding of a field’s soil structure gives growers a greater ability use products more likely to stay in the field.

Using GPS to drive more efficiently in the field is another example, since less time in a running tractor means lower fuel emissions. Tools such as yield monitors – devices which track how much crop is harvested as the combine drives through the field – can also highlight which areas need more or less fertilizer to be more productive. That means the following year, the farmer can adjust the amount of nutrients applied to a specific piece of land and avoid over-application of fertilizers.

Precision farming tools – common examples 

Farmers have been using some precision tools for many years, while others are comparatively new. Here are some examples in common use today, as well as emerging technologies: 

GPS (Global Positioning System)  

GPS technology is foundational to modern precision farming. The ability for farmers to know exactly where they are in the field has allowed them to be very precise in planting, harvesting, and managing crops. GPS precision has improved over time, to the point where large tractors and equipment can manage spatial differences to the centimetre. GPS sensors can also be used to track livestock over vast distances.  

Auto-steer 

Using GPS technology as its guide, auto-steer allows tractors and combines to automatically adjust its drive path. The result is very uniform crop rows. Though it might not seem like a big deal, straighter rows allow farmers to manage and harvest crops more efficiently. More consistent spaces between rows also helps crops grow more efficiently.  

Drones 

Drones can be used for an array of farm jobs, and their capabilities are being constantly explored. Right now, for example, it’s common to see drones being used to scout fields for pests and crop damage. When combined with different types of imaging, such as infrared, they can also tell farmers a lot about soil and crop health. Some people are even using drones to spray crops, or strategically apply fertilizer.  

Satellites 

Like drones, satellites are being increasingly employed for field imaging – that is, using many different types of imaging to show what’s happening on the ground. Both drones and satellites can highlight moisture content, total crop cover, soil type, and many other things important to crop production.  

Variable-rate technology 

Farmers use sprayers, wagons, planters and other equipment to apply seeds, crop protection products, and fertilizer. Historically, this equipment is calibrated to apply a specific amount of product evenly throughout the entire field. Variable rate tools give farmers the ability to apply different amounts in different areas. If data gathered from soil sampling shows part of the field does not need extra fertilizer but an adjacent part requires more, for example, variable rate technology allows the farmer to account for the difference.   

Monitoring technology 

Artificial intelligence (AI) and sensor technology is being used in a plethora of ways, and continues to be refined in an effort to help farmers stay ahead of potential problems. Facial-recognition camera systems and small sensors, for example, are starting to be used to monitor livestock for signs they might be getting sick, while machine learning software can be paired with drone imaging to identify otherwise unseen weeds in field crops.  

Robots and autonomous equipment 

Though not yet commonplace, there is a very wide range of autonomous farm equipment both currently available and in development. From small AI-driven weeding robots to larger autonomous, multi-platform machines, field robots are being designed to reduce the resources needed to produce crops and livestock, while helping farmers solve labour challenges and time constraints.   

Complexity and expense 

Precision agriculture can mean a lot of things, needless to say, but the sheer variety of software and hardware tools available highlights significant opportunity.  

It’s not one-size-fits-all, of course – farmers and ranchers have to find which tools are best suited to their needs, goals, and conditions in which their farms operate.  This is particularly true as many precision farming technologies are expensive. Regardless, there continues to be more and more investment and research on new tools and techniques, as well as strategies on how more farmers could access them.  

Producing more food and material more efficiently, and with fewer resources. That’s the goal of precision farming.