Precision agriculture, which includes practices such as GPS steering and soil mapping, is seeing more traction in states leading in corn, wheat, soybean, and hog production. According to the USDA's recent farm computer report, these states have double the adoption rate than smaller-producing states.
Every two years, the Technology Use report provides insights into how farmers use technology. The current stats reveal an increase in the number of farmers turning to the internet for business operations, with 85% of farms connected online. Interestingly, more farmers prefer smartphones (82%) over desktops or laptops (69%).
Looking back to 2021, the US average adoption of precision agriculture stood at 25%. This figure saw a slight rise, reaching 27% this year. But in states like Illinois, Iowa, Kansas, Nebraska, North Dakota, and South Dakota, more than half of the producers are embracing these modern practices.
North Dakota topped the list with a 57% adoption rate.
States renowned for specific crops, like Iowa for corn and hogs, and Illinois for soybeans, are front-runners in this trend. There are states where adoption seems slower, such as Texas at 13% and California at 40%.
States like West Virginia, Kentucky, Virginia, and Florida recorded the lowest rates, with West Virginia at a mere 8%. The findings stem from a survey conducted in June, covering 14,000 agricultural operations. To provide a broader picture, there are about 2 million farms in the US, typically recognized as places generating at least $1,000 from agricultural sales annually.
Photo Credit: istock-ekkasit919
Categories: North Dakota, Crops