By Emmy Powell
Communications Specialist

A recent report from the Association of Equipment Manufacturers (AEM) highlights the benefits of precision agriculture across the U.S.

According to AEM’s The Benefits of Precision Ag in the U.S. report, precision agriculture has helped boost overall crop production by 5% in the past five years.

Tools like smart irrigation, soil moisture sensors and targeted spraying systems have enabled farmers to maximize efficiency and minimize waste.

The study’s findings show that, with increased adoption of precision ag technologies, the following benefits can be achieved: widespread use of resource-efficient production practices that positively impact producers’ bottom line; improved societal outcomes; and long-term soil and water stewardship.

“The overarching message is precision ag enables farmers to maximize use of their inputs,” Austin Gellings, AEM senior director of agricultural services, said. “We’re maximizing every drop of what we’re putting on our crops and on our soil, and I think that’s a very powerful message.”

The findings show that U.S. farms have cut annual water usage by 5% with the adoption of smart irrigation systems. That’s the equivalent of 824,000 Olympic-sized swimming pools of fresh water saved, and this saves about $16,000 per 1,000 acres.

Advanced spraying technologies, such as John Deere’s See & Spray and CNH Industrial’s SenseApply, could slash herbicide usage nationwide by as much as 55% if adopted by 90% of farms.

“We also found potential for an additional 6% increase in annual crop production with higher precision technology adoption rates,” he said. “It’s clear these technologies show almost unlimited potential in reducing inputs while increasing our output.”

The report was developed with support from the American Farm Bureau Federation, American Soybean Association, CropLife America and the National Corn Growers Association, with analysis from global consulting firm Kearney.

View the full report here.