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STIMULATING INTEREST IN AND ADOPTION OF PRECISION AGRICULTURE METHODS ON SMALL FARM OPERATIONS

Craig Yohn

Summary

West Virginia University Extension provided initial seed money to demonstrate precision soil sampling and precision nutrient management. WVU partnered with a crop consultant\custom applicator to perform this task. In 2006 11 land owners consigned 670 acres to an expanded demonstration. Farms were sampled using conventional and precision methods. Results: precision management and application required more lime on more acres than recommended by conventional management. Precision management required more phosphorous, less potash on fewer acres than recommended by conventional management. Extension education through presentations, fact sheets and a field day resulted in 1545 additional acres being sampled. Over 1600 acres received precision application of lime, phosphorous and potash. Variations in application levels and acres covered affect the costs of precision sampling and application. In more than one case no lime was recommended from the conventional samples taken, but lime application was recommended from the precision sampling. Costs for each farm are more a reflection of nutrients needed and the variation in the fields than the additional cost of the service. Only one farm would have realized a savings by using precision over conventional sampling and application. One farm would have saved $17.61 per acre by using precision soil testing and application. The other eleven farms had an expense by using this precision technology. The cost per acre ranged from $5.06 per acre to $65.89. The average cost among all twelve farms was $21.61. Producers have used this information to change management practices. Acquisition of precision tools has increased in the area.

Details

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