Precision Ag in Iowa: FAQ

With over 90% of Iowa's land being dedicated to agriculture, farming is more than a hobby for many locals, it's a way of life. At Kibble Equipment, we want your operation to run as smoothly and efficiently as possible so you can enjoy the greatest return on investment possible. Being a farmer requires dedication, skills, hard work, long hours, and a lot of sweat. With John Deere's precision farming systems, you can worry less, save time, and improve your crop yield all while saving money. Because precision agriculture encompasses several forms of technology, it can be difficult to understand. Below, we have answered some of the most frequently asked questions about precision ag.

Frequently Asked Questions About Precision Agriculture

What is precision agriculture?

Precision agriculture is a process of land management that allows farmers to view their land in specific increments instead of on a field basis. This type of farming incorporates technology to monitor the health of the soil and crops. Precision agriculture takes the guessing game out of farming. No more worrying if you are giving your crops what they need. No more hoping you aren't double striping your fields with fertilizer or pesticides.

What is the purpose of precision ag?

Whether you are a large commercial farmer or own just a few acres, the purpose of precision ag is the same, to improve the efficiency and accuracy of field management. Precision farming can give you insight into exactly what your land is needing. By optimizing farming processes, precision farming helps improve profitability and reduces the number of inputs being wasted.

How does precision farming work?

Precision farming integrates various types of cutting-edge technology that gather data on all aspects of your field and crops. Information gathered from precision ag sensors can be incorporated into application systems for planting, fertilizing, and harvesting your fields. The systems can vary how much seed/fertilizer/water is applied to the soil in precise areas of the field in order to give the soil exactly what it needs. These systems can even automate the functioning of your tractor, everything from driving to technology updates can be done automatically, without you having to hassle with it.

What tools are used in precision farming?

There are numerous tools and systems used in precision farming. GPS guidance systems, such as John Deere's AutoTracTM, and GPS soil sampling systems are among the most popular forms of precision farming systems. Variable-rate technology is integrated into many systems to allow varying amounts of input to be put into the soil/on crops. A lot of the data that goes into creating customized land management systems is gathered through remote sensors that are placed throughout the field. The sensors can report information on field boundaries, crop health, soil type, water levels, and more.

Is precision ag expensive?

All things considered, precision ag isn't as expensive as you might think. The initial cost of implementing precision farming systems may seem a bit pricey but when you figure in the improvement in crop yield, the decrease in wasted inputs, and the reduction of mental and physical fatigue, precision ag is well worth the money invested. Not only do the benefits far out way the costs, but you can also customize your precision farming process to fit your needs. If all you want is a GPS system that tells you where to line up for your next headland pass, you can have just that. You don't have to incorporate all of the latest and greatest technology if that doesn't fit your needs.

One of the best things about precision farming is that it isn't only beneficial to a select group of farmers. It can be incorporated on farms of any size. Precision farming can be a bit daunting but it doesn't have to be. Engaging in precision farming doesn't mean you are eliminating the need for farmers. Just like when John Deere invented the steel plow, it didn't mean farmers were any less necessary or capable, in fact, it enabled them to spend more time doing other important tasks because they weren't having to take time to clean their plows.

To learn more about how you can benefit from precision ag or to start setting up your farming with precision agriculture systems, contact your local Kibble Equipment dealership in Iowa. Our team will be more than happy to answer any questions you have.