Purdue News

February 5, 1999 Seminar spreads the word on precision farming WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. -- Farmers, crop consultants and bankers will have the chance to learn more about precision farming at two seminars being co-sponsored by the Purdue University Cooperative Extension Service. The seminars, called "More Information ... More Control," are being offered to help people implement and profit from the use of precision agriculture technology. Precision agriculture involves the use of global positioning satellites to help farmers pinpoint exact locations in their fields. That allows farmers not only to monitor yields in specific parts of their fields, but also to more precisely apply fertilizers and pesticides to only those areas that need them. "We want to give Indiana producers all the tools possible to profit from this management tool," said Tammy Lawson, seminar coordinator. "The class concentrates exclusively on agronomic aspects of precision farming." The "More Information ... More Control," seminars will be at Covington on Feb. 22 and at Metamora on Feb. 25, and the price has been dropped from $109 to $60 because of Purdue's sponsorship for the two Indiana sites. Lawson said the seminar is for people who have recently decided to use precision farming technology, those thinking about using it, or anyone simply interested in learning more about the technology. She said the seminar should be of interest to farm managers, crop consultants, bankers and others in agribusiness. Seminar topics will include interpreting yield maps, determining which records to keep, utilizing the power of Geographical Informational Surveys, and implementing planning and goal setting. Additional topics are measuring the benefits of precision agriculture, calculating a simple cost-benefit analysis, conducting reliable on-farm testing, and working with area farmers to collect data. The seminars are sponsored by Purdue Extension, Deere & Co., Cenex/Land O' Lake, Countrymark Cooperative, FS/GROWMARK and Farmland Industries. Registration of $60 includes lunch and a class manual. To register, call More Information ... More Control Precision Ag Services at (888) 258-0208. For more information on the seminars, contact Lawson at (765) 436-7405, e-mail, tlawson@in-motion.net. Purdue News Service: (765) 494-2096; e-mail, purduenews@purdue.edu To the Purdue News and Photos Page