Precision Ag by the Numbers

The USDA recently ran a report that identified three pillars of sustainability for the agriculture industry: reduced environmental impact, increased productivity and yield, and a better overall economic result. Today's precision agriculture technologies are helping crop farmers make significant gains with all three pillars.

This is huge news for farmers here in the southeast, as implementing precision ag technologies can save farmers thousands of dollars, and significantly reduce the environmental impact of agriculture. Implementing more precision ag technologies can help in the following ways:

- Reduce carbon emissions equal to removing 200,000 cars from the road.

- Reduce fertilizer use by 24,000 tons, almost the weight of the Statue of Liberty.

- Reduce water use by almost 1/4, extremely important for growers here in the southeast as water conservation efforts grow.

- Increase crop yields by 6%, helping fight hunger and rising food prices.

- Planting season is *now*.

In examining various crop types around the country, the research data can be summed up in one sentence: Crop farmers are doing more with less.

By leveraging precision agriculture technologies, farmers have already accomplished the following:

· 4% increase in crop production

· 7% reduction in fertilizer use

· 9% reduction in herbicide use

· 6% reduction in fossil fuel use

· 4% reduction in water use

Less inputs and more focus on sustainability will drive profits for farmers across the country.