GPS, VRA and Corn Growers: Top 5 Findings

In early 2013, the PrecisionAg Institute and Millennium Research Inc. conducted a survey of U.S. corn growers in an effort to gain an understanding of the use of precision agriculture tools they employ. From what tools are used and how they use them, to best estimates on the benefits and return on investment realized, the study shed light on the state of precision technology in the corn grower community.

Use of global positioning systems and variable rate technology were identified by growers throughout the research project. In this story we review (number) of the most compelling research “finds.”

Real Time Kinematic Accuracy Is Favored

Overall, some 52% of survey respondents indicated that they use real-time kinematic- (RTK) produced global positioning, the signal which produces the highest accuracy and repeatability. Not surprisingly, growers controlling larger amounts of acres are more likely to use RTK, but the difference is significant. Of growers that control 2,000 or more acres, 80% are using RTK.

 

VRA Growth Is Anticipated

Growers were asked what technologies they are using now, and plan to add over the next three years. Among the biggest anticipated movers is “variable-rate planting,” with 41% currently using but more than 70% indicating they will be doing the practice by 2016. Growth was anticipated from higher baselines of adoption in most positioning and variable rate technologies, including yield mapping, automatic steering, and variable-rate fertilizer application.

 

Big Acre Growers Are Big Users

Among 2,000 acre-plus corn growers, many practices are nearing ubiquity. Every respondent at this level indicated they are using automatic steering on their planters, and 9 in 10 are using automatic swath control. Some 85% are doing variable rate fertilizer, and three-fourths have automatic steering on their sprayers and combines.

 

Efficiency Is The Big Driver

Among top benefits of precision technology use for corn growers, efficiency reasons top the list. Fewer skips and overlaps leads the pack at more than 8 in 10, while reduced seed and input use, time savings, and less operator fatigue were mentioned by more than half.

 

GPS, VRA Provide The Payback

Growers were asked which practices and tools provide the highest paybacks. Among the most mentioned were swath control for planters and sprayers (just over 4 in 10), automatic steering on the planter (38%), variable rate fertilizer (about one-third), and automatic steering on the sprayer (about one-fourth).