Paul Schrimpf Group Editor, CropLife Media Group What’s Ahead For Precision Ag
About The PrecisionAg Brand Serving Agriculture Since 1994 Initiatives Include: – PrecisionAg.com – Quarterly Special Reports – PrecisionAg Institute – Media Partners, InfoAg Conference 2014 Event is July 29-31, St. Louis, MO
What We’ll Talk About Today Historical Perspective On Ag Technology Where Things Stand Today A Look At the Future
A BRIEF HISTORY OF PRECISION AG
Chapter 1: The Noble Cause Focus on maximum use efficiency of fertilizer Coincided with rise of PCs No widely available GPS – radar required Proof of concept, but not commercially viable
Chapter 2: Innovation And Evolution Al Myers commercializes the yield monitor for row crops GPS available, but with selective availability Microprocessors increasingly powerful The Internet is born Early bids at developing interconnected systems (Vantage Point, Vision system)
Speaking Of Evolution... From This…
… To This in 15 Years
Chapter 3: The Great Disillusionment The VRA Conundrum – no payback on low priced fertilizer Complexity of technology vs. the simplicity of farming (Roundup Ready) Farmers vote ‘no faith’ in recommendations Overpromised technology benefits “This stuff is hard”
Illustrating The Disillusionment…
Chapter 4: Rebirth With Efficiency Automatic steering explodes Boom control technologies Improving GPS accuracy Planter control Agronomy still important but not the primary driver for adoption Establishing GPS as a core technology
Retailer Use of Precision Technology CropLife Media Group/Purdue University Retail Adoption Survey, 2011
Chapter 5: Connectivity Technologies Emerge: 2009-present Smartphones and Tablets Cellular/Wireless connectivity Higher Speed Internet Logistics Better Technology Compatibility Emerging Data collection and storage (and processing) in the “cloud”
What’s Driving The Future Complexity of agronomy is returning – Weed resistance management – Hybrid/variety selection – Micronutrients/Specialty Blends Pressure to Maximize Yield/Feed The World Input Stewardship (fertilizers) Food Safety/Traceability Manufacturer Innovation Water Management
What’s Driving The Future Drive For Sustainability Regulatory pressure Grower size/ability to compete Need to bring growers not using technology into the fold
Estimated Market Area Using Precision Services (1 of 2) 2011 Base: 161 Note: 2014 is predicted use
Estimated Market Area Using Precision Services (2 of 2) 2009 Base: 160 Note: 2014 is predicted use
CropLife Magazine/Purdue University Retailer Survey, 2013