GPS - The Future of Agricultur
It's cold, it's late, you're driving home from the public speaking contest when suddenly, BAM, you hit a patch of ice and your car slides out of control. Across the road, through the ditch, into the left over stubble of a corn field, finally stopping at an old tree. Then it happens. You hear the voice... "Your name are you all right?" You pause and wonder... Where is the voice coming from? "Your name, this is Angie with On-Star. Our system indicates that your airbag have been deployed. Are you in need of assistance?" You try to answer, but no words will come out. "your name, this is Angie with On-Star. We have identified the position of your vehicle, and since you are unable to respond at this time, we have contacted the local police department and help is on the way." Now I bet you are wondering what any of this has to do with agriculture. Well sit back, relax, and let me tell you a story of how the same technology used by On-Star has changed the face of farming.In the 1980s, everyone wanted to talk about sustainable agriculture. In the 1990s, it was precision agriculture (Thompson). Now, GPS and remote sensing have moved precision agriculture to the forefront. To many people, the Global Positioning Syste
So, if precision agriculture is so great, why isn't everyone doing it? The two main reasons why everyone hasn't hopped on the bandwagon. In the exploratory stage, field characteristics and other relevant information is collected using GPS receivers and remote sensing technology. With precision agriculture the farmer can know the exact location from which soil samples or other characteristics are being collected and use this information to adjust the amount and type of fertilizer that is needed for each location. Tomorrow's technology will bring even more changes and may one day make it possible to conduct business and control production without a great deal of human labor. So what is the next revelation for agriculture? According to journalist Lucas Shivers, the latest and greatest GPS related advancement for farmers is automatic steering units. However, each study showed that GPS works and tried to persuade farmers to rush out and buy a system from a specific manufacturer. Precision farming has allowed today's producers, advisors, and researchers to integrate information technology with field and office activities. Some people feel things are fine the way they are, and some people are always looking for the next great thing. Resources:Global Positioning System. Is it the latest and the greatest? Should every farmer run out and get one? AgGPS Autopilot was first introduced at the 2000 California Farm Equipment Show and was expected to be available later in the year (Trimble). Few valid economic studies have been conducted on precision agriculture and most of the studies that have been performed were carried out by persons with a strong vested interest in the results.
Common topics in this essay:
Kirk Thompson,
Ag Innovator,
Modern Agriculture,
Taylor GPS,
Angie On-Star,
,
AgGPS Autopilot,
Farm Equipment,
System GPS,
Palm Pilot,
precision agriculture,
viewed december,
positioning system,
december 22,
global positioning,
december 22 2003,
global positioning system,
viewed december 22,
22 2003,
precision agriculture isn't,
according kirk,
according kirk thompson,
kirk thompson,
exact location,
angie on-star,
|
Acceptance Essays
