By Mark Moran
A new report from a farm industry alliance showed high-tech ag practices in Iowa and the Midwest do not reduce pesticide and fertilizer use as much corporate ag operations suggest. Instead, some small farmers say precision agriculture takes a one-size-fits-all approach to the state's diverse croplands.
Precision agriculture employs GPS technology, drones and artificial intelligence to maximize yields on every acre of farmland.
Rob Faux, a diversified crop farmer from Tripoli, said it can work for large corporate farms but when it comes to small operations like his, understanding the nuances of the land is more important for maximizing yields. He contended precision ag is taking the skill out of farming.
"The very argument that precision ag folks will make is that it's supposed to allow you to respond to with precision to very small parts of your farm," Faux pointed out. "But what it is doing is the exact opposite. It's trying to force everything into 'This is perfect for growing corn,' or 'This is perfect for growing soybeans.'"
Click here to see more...