The Association of Equipment Manufacturers (AEM) is on a mission to promote the benefits of precision agriculture. Curt Blades, Senior Vice President of AEM, stated that the organization aimed to quantify these benefits to help those who don't fully understand agriculture, like environmental groups with a negative opinion.
Through a study conducted in collaboration with environmental groups, AEM identified five areas with the most potential to impact the environment positively. The study found that farmers who consistently utilized various precision agriculture technologies achieved significant results:
• A 4% increase in crop production
• A 7% increase in fertilizer placement efficiency
• A 9% reduction in herbicide and pesticide use
• A 6% reduction in fossil fuel use
• A 4% reduction in water use
These practices have led to impressive environmental outcomes, including:
• Avoiding the use of 2 million acres of cropland due to more efficient land use
• Reducing herbicide usage by 30 million pounds
• Saving 100 million gallons of fossil fuel
• Conserving enough water to fill 750,000 Olympic-size swimming pools
To further advance precision agriculture in the U.S., AEM supports two acts under consideration for inclusion in the farm bill: the Precision Ag Loan Act and the PRECISE Act.
The Precision Ag Loan Act proposes the establishment of a loan program within the Farm Service Agency to assist agricultural producers in purchasing precision agriculture technology. The legislation aims to offer loans of up to $500,000 for approved precision ag technologies and enable farmers to retrofit existing equipment with new technologies.
The PRECISE Act, another bipartisan legislation supported by AEM, seeks to expand farmers' access to precision agriculture tools through existing USDA programs. It incentivizes private sector financing for precision ag technology purchases and increases cost share and practice payments for conservation programs.
AEM's study and support for ag bills highlight the significant benefits of precision agriculture, not only for farmers' economic gains but also for society and the environment. The potential reduction in resource usage and increased efficiency are essential steps towards a sustainable and prosperous future for the agricultural industry.
Photo Credit: istock-ekkasit919
Categories: Indiana, Crops, Sustainable Agriculture