A long‑term precision agriculture system sustains grain profitability

Authors

Matt Yost, Utah State UniversityFollow
Newell R. Kitchen, USDA-ARSFollow
Kenneth A. Sudduth, USDA — Agricultural Research Service
R. E. Massey, University of Missouri
E. J. Sadler, USDA ARS
S. T. Drummond, USDA ARS
M. R. Volkman, USDA ARS

ORCID IDs

M. A. Yost http://orcid.org/0000-0001-5012-8481

Date of this Version

2019

Citation

Precision Agriculture (2019) 20:1177–1198

doi:10.1007/s11119-019-09649-7

Comments

U.S. government work

Abstract

After two decades of availability of grain yield-mapping technology, long-term trends in field-scale profitability for precision agriculture (PA) systems and conservation practices can now be assessed. Field-scale profitability of a conventional or ‘business-as-usual’ system with an annual corn (Zea mays L.)-soybean (Glycine max [L.]) rotation and annual tillage was assessed for 11 years on a 36 ha field in central Missouri during 1993 to 2003. Following this, a ‘precision agriculture system’ (PAS) with conservation practices was implemented for the next 11 years to address production, profit and environmental concerns. The PAS was multifaceted and temporally dynamic. It included no-till, cover crops, crop rotation changes, site-specific N and variable-rate or zonal P, K and lime. Following a recent evaluation of differences in yield and yield variability, this research compared profitability of the two systems. Results indicated that PAS sustained profits in the majority (97%) of the field without subsidies for cover crops or payments for enhanced environmental protection. Profit was only lower with PAS in a drainage channel where no-till sometimes hindered soybean stands and wet soils caused wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) disease. Although profit gains were not realized after 11 years of PA and conservation practices, this system sustained profits. These results should help growers gain confidence that PA and conservation practices will be successful.