Putting 9 'P's in Emerging Technologies For Integrated Agriculture Decisions

Prior Preparation, Perfected Protocols and Planning Prevents Poor Performance and Perception

Since the introduction of relatively low-cost global positioning systems (GPS) technologies, and similarly-inexpensive, field-robust dataloggers, there has been a veritable explosion in the breadth of precision agriculture activities. Initially, synonymous with on-the-go yield mapping, precision agriculture (PA) is now as much about the development of new sensors and data management modalities themselves as it is about the need to collect geo-referenced information necessary to monitor or manage spatially-variable agricultural fields. As far as the industry-wide proliferation of precision agriculture is concerned, it could be asked “just who is driving who ?” The team ultimately responsible for the success or failure of precision agriculture comprises scientists, engineers, extension officers, commercial providers and farmers.

This presentation explores some of the precision agriculture technologies currently ‘on the market' as well as discusses potential failings we could face in light of current trends to push towards ‘smarter systems'. Questions posed will include •How do we measure the success of PA technologies ? •Are we doing enough to husband the uptake of PA technologies ? •As innovators of technology and practice, should we be content with the PA cycle of "Measure – Interpret – Apply – Measure etc". Who looks after "Sensor start-up - Calibration - Operation - Data acquisition - Data verification - Data management - Shut down" ? •Having tested a technology or technique in the context of one agricultural system, what are the shortfalls of providers simply applying them to others without conducting detailed evaluations?