![\"capture2\"](\"https:\/\/d3.harvard.edu\/platform-rctom\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2016\/11\/Capture2-5.png\")
<\/a>sed by NASA scientists to detect the composition of meteors and planets, can be geographically overlaid on a map to show a farmer where in his field crop issues are occurring.\u00a0 Farmers are also collecting and controlling more data than ever before, employing Precision Planting equipment that can react to changing soil conditions real-time to modify seed dispersion and depth.\u00a0 Harvesters collect geo tagged yield data which is saved and analyzed later in the feedback loop to help inform future planting efforts.\u00a0 This information, combined with precise mechanical tools, enable the farmer to place a seed at the perfect distance from its neighbors.[ii]<\/a>\u00a0 This dispersion is critical in that it facilitates growth without competition against the other plants, resulting in higher yields and ultimately more profit for the farmer.\u00a0 Finally, GPS enabled systems now essentially drive the tractors for the individual farmer, ensuring that proper speed and laser-straight headings are maintained.<\/p>\nWith so many sensor platforms deployed to agriculture businesses, numerous big data startups have entered the community.\u00a0 Products such as Climate Corp\u2019s FieldView platform (now a Monsanto company) collect vast quantities of data such as satellite imagery and enhanced NOAA weather streams.[iii]<\/a>\u00a0 These data form a processing platform into which farmers can upload their own local information for the purpose of pulling out agronomic forecasts.\u00a0 These and other products can then be fed back to farmers on the ground who are consuming them real-time on mobile devices as they traverse fields.\u00a0 The overall goal for many companies is a central dashboard from which all relevant data can be visualized.\u00a0 Farmers will be able to link their in-field deployable sensors, their regional planting characteristics, and their various ERP systems to manage everything from the timing of nitrogen application to dialing in the exact seed coating a particular field requires.[iv]<\/a><\/p>\n The application of these technologies has resulted in numerous benefits for the agriculture community.\u00a0 With the ability to geo-locate exactly where and what type of pest infestations are occurring, farmers are applying more targeted pesticides in fewer locations, resulting in fewer broad based pesticides leec As with many technological trends, agricultural improvements are governed by the Hype Cycle.\u00a0 Many, such as drones, are seeing investment wane as market ebullience falls and waits for long-term business plans to take root (pun intended<\/em>).[vii]<\/a>\u00a0 Nonetheless, agriculture continues to benefit tremendously from technological improvement, with digital enhancements clearly being the next step to an efficient and highly productive farmer.<\/p>\n 675 Words.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n [i]<\/a> AgFunder News, \u201cIntelinAir CEO Al Eisaian on the Future of Aerial Imagery in Agriculture\u201d, https:\/\/agfundernews.com\/intelinair-ceo-al-eisaian-talks-the-future-of-aerial-imagery-in-agriculture.html<\/a>, accessed November 2016.<\/p>\n [ii]<\/a> Precision Planting, \u201cYieldSense\u201d, http:\/\/www.precisionplanting.com\/#products\/yieldsense\/<\/a>, accessed November 2016.<\/p>\n [iii]<\/a> AgFunder News, \u201cWhat do Monsanto\u2019s Plans to Open Up its Digital Platform Mean for the Agriculture Industry?\u201d, https:\/\/agfundernews.com\/what-do-monsanto-plans-to-open-up-its-digital-platform-mean-for-the-agriculture-industry.html<\/a>, accessed November 2016.<\/p>\n [iv]<\/a> Climate Insights, \u201cPlanning and Monitoring Tools are Essential to Supporting Healthy Corn Development Through Harvest\u201d, http:\/\/www.climateinsights.com\/tools-for-healthy-corn-harvest\/<\/a>, accessed November 2016.<\/p>\n [v]<\/a> Climate Insights, \u201cSensors and Connecting the Field\u201d, http:\/\/www.climateinsights.com\/?randomId=Z0Rx29W26BT5m&_ga=1.192630954.123526976.1479387992<\/a>, accessed 2016.<\/p>\n [vi]<\/a> USDA, \u201cEstimating US Crop Yields\u201d, https:\/\/www.nass.usda.gov\/Education_and_Outreach\/Reports,_Presentations_and_Conferences\/Presentations\/Johnson_Winrock_12.pdf<\/a>, accessed November 2016.<\/p>\n [vii]<\/a> AgFunder News, \u201cAgTech Investing Report,\u201d https:\/\/agfundernews.com\/agriculture-technology-trends-agtech-captures-attention-h1.html<\/a>, accessed November 2016.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" How advanced technology and big data are combining to help farmers grow more with less.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1782,"featured_media":15827,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","template":"","categories":[28,1911,1921],"class_list":["post-15826","hck-submission","type-hck-submission","status-publish","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-agriculture","category-agriculture-technology","category-precision-agriculture"],"connected_submission_link":"https:\/\/d3.harvard.edu\/platform-rctom\/assignment\/digitization-challenge-2016\/","yoast_head":"\n![\"capture\"](\"https:\/\/d3.harvard.edu\/platform-rctom\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2016\/11\/Capture-28-300x245.png\")
<\/a>hing into adjacencies and the water table. \u00a0Deployable field sensors monitor soil hydrology levels and provide an accurate and real-time understanding of the growing conditions, to which farmers can respond with targeted water and fertilizer application.[v]<\/a> \u00a0As a result, crop yields \u2013 measured in bushels per acre \u2013 have been able to sustain their strongly upward trajectory (see figure 2)[vi]<\/a>.\u00a0 Furthermore, targeted chemical application lowers the overall materials spend for farmers in addition to reducing equipment damage and fuel consumption through heavy use.<\/p>\n