Socioeconomic Profiles of Early Adopters of Precision Agriculture Technologies

Abstract

Corn producers are the largest users of cropland and agrichemicals in U.S. agriculture, and represent a major market for precision agriculture technologies. Based on a USDA survey of 950 corn-producing farms, approximately 9% utilized some aspect of precision agriculture for corn production in 1996. A logit analysis indicated that farmers were more likely to adopt precision technologies if they farmed a large number of corn acres, earned a sizable farm income, and had high expected corn yields. The probability of adoption was also higher for farm operators using a computerized farm record system, who were less than 50 years of age, and who relied on crop consultants for information on precision agriculture.