precision farming technology

Thieves Coming After Precision Ag Equipment

Dan Field Crops, Technology

Farmers need to keep an eye on their precision ag equipment, such as auto-guidance monitors and antennas. An ag store in central Illinois was set to send some equipment for field demonstrations at the 2021 Farm Progress show when a representative showed up to take the tractor there and couldn’t find the auto guidance monitor and antenna. Staff had calibrated …

broadband

USDA Made Funds Available for High-Speed Internet in Rural Areas

Dan High-Speed Internet/Broadband, Technology

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has announced a significant expansion of access to high-speed internet, making $1.15 billion available to help people in rural communities across the country get access to high-speed internet through the ReConnect Program. Ag Secretary Tom Vilsack says this new upcoming round of ReConnect funding will include 100% grants in certain cases. Vilsack talked about the importance of bringing …

nutrient

Technologies for Improved Nutrient Analysis

Dan Citrus, Field Crops, Fruits, Herbs, Nursery Crops, Organic, Pecans, Specialty Crops, Sugar, Technology, Tree Nuts, Vegetables

Nutrient management is important for citrus production. Regular nutrient assessments should be conducted to optimize nutrient balance and prevent deficiencies or over-fertilization. Optimizing nutrition is important for tree health and can improve tolerance to stresses and diseases. Good nutrient management requires regular field monitoring to identify problems and examine crop responses. Leaves need to be collected and sent to a …

safety

Safety Tips for Flying Drones Offered by UF/IFAS Researchers

Dan Cattle, Citrus, Dairy, Field Crops, Forestry, Livestock, Nursery Crops, Organic, Specialty Crops, Technology

Some people view drones as toys, but they can be dangerous. In fact, about 1,000 people per year are injured from using drones incorrectly. To address the potential peril, two University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) researchers are offering ways to keep people from getting hurt while using drones. Yiannis Ampatzidis of UF/IFAS uses unmanned aerial vehicles …

broadband

Survey Shows Increase in Farms with Internet Access

Dan High-Speed Internet/Broadband, Technology

We told you last week that usage of computers on the farm was up, according to USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS). Their 2021 Farm Computer Usage and Ownership report is conducted every other year and it shows numbers have risen compared to 2019. Adam Peters with NASS discusses some of the trends indicated in the latest survey. Peters talks about the history, intent …

farm computer

Farm Computer Usage is Climbing

Dan High-Speed Internet/Broadband, Technology

This week, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) released their 2021 Farm Computer Usage and Ownership report. The report is conducted every other year and presents data on farm computer usage, including computer access, ownership or leasing, farm business use, and internet access. USDA findings show that 82 percent of farms reported having access to the internet and business telephone …

rural broadband

Rep. Scott Working to Bridge the Rural Divide

Dan High-Speed Internet/Broadband, Legislative, Technology

Last month, the U.S. House Agriculture Committee unanimously advanced a bipartisan bill that authorizes $43 billion to expand rural broadband service nationwide. The Broadband Internet Connections for Rural America Act would authorize $4.5 billion in annual funding, starting in fiscal year 2022. This has been a priority for Rep. David Scott (GA-13), Chairman of the House Agriculture Committee. He talks about the rural divide we …

Almanac

2022 Farmers’ Almanac Released This Week

Dan Aquaculture, Beef, Cattle, Citrus, Crop Forecasts, Dairy, Drought, Environment, Field Crops, Irrigation, Livestock, Nursery Crops, Organic, Pollinators, Specialty Crops, Technology, Water, Weather

The 2022 Farmers’ Almanac hits store shelves this week and contains 184 pages of helpful tips, calendars, and guides to help you plan your year ahead. It also features weather forecasts for the next 16 months, plus useful advice on ways to take cues from nature to live a more sustainable lifestyle. Editor Pete Geiger states, “we encourage readers to …

rural broadband

USDA Invests $167 Million in High-Speed Broadband in 12 States

Dan High-Speed Internet/Broadband, Technology, USDA

Re-Connect Funding to Give 100,000 People Access to High-Speed Internet e-Connectivity (WASHINGTON, Aug. 11, 2021) — Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack announced that the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) is investing $167 million in 12 states to deploy broadband infrastructure (PDF, 360 KB) in rural areas without sufficient access to high-speed internet. “Generations ago, the federal government recognized that without affordable access to …

high-speed internet

Scott on Lack of Reliable High-Speed Internet in Rural Areas

Dan High-Speed Internet/Broadband, Technology

For quite some time the issue concerning the lack of reliable high-speed internet in rural areas has been discussed. The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has already invested dollars to provide broadband service in some rural areas, but there are still many that have no access. Rep. David Scott (GA-13), Chairman of the House Agriculture Committee, recently talked about his concerns with the lack …