information and cycles.  Precision farming uses site specific product management.  Different data is gathered per management zone from the field at a specific time that is analyzed then the right decisions are made.  This requires the use of different technologies such as soil testing, weather and yield monitoring amongst other variables.  Given that precision agriculture employs technology and data collection and analysis, only someone trained can make the most of it and thus the need for a certified professional agronomist.  A certified professional agronomist is someone trained in the study of crop management systems and all matters accompanying it.

To further understand the need for precision agriculture and a certified professional agronomist, an overview of the various aspects of precision farming is important.  The main segments include the following; yield monitoring, remote sensing and variable rate technology.  All the measuring is done at a small scale and using the data to come up with a number of decisions.  For effective monitoring a many types of software are available, which make the collection and interpretation of data easier to identify and understand.  With this information it is easy to know which management zone delivered high yields and which ones resulted in a loss.

The advantages of precision agriculture include the following; first there is a proper understanding of the soils and the plants.  With soil testing, information regarding the soil chemical composition, fertility, and texture is used to know the best kind of crops that can be used and the amount and type of fertilizers one can use.  This leads to the attainment of optimum conditions necessary for crops growth.  Secondly, the use of real time data ensures all the decisions taken are based on what is happening on the ground.  It increases the accuracy and also allows for corrective measures to be undertaken immediately.  With the help of a certified professional agronomist, farmers can now make decisions that directly lead to higher yields as well as an increase in efficiency for overall farm production.
              Precision agriculture can help in the automation of the field management system on is using. This is by the inclusion of a Decision Support System (DSS) which uses data already collected by the sensors and analyzed to help you in getting the best from the soils in your farm by letting you know when to fertilize, the need for water etc.  A certified professional agronomist can help you in setting up this.
            Finally, with precision agriculture you are guaranteed higher yields.  This is because the whole process from preparation of the field, the choice of machinery, harvesting, and transportation of the yield is based on real time information.  This guides your decisions and when you apply them, thus avoiding waste.  The application of soil testing, weather and yield monitoring techniques provides accurate data that ensures you make the most of the conditions and improve your resources where necessary.

**Important tip**  If you have a zero in any of your percent base saturation numbers and want to put on an application, you are wasting money!! Applying anything without your base saturations being balanced will not move any numbers, or help you get your soils balanced.  Contact me or sign up for our monthly newsletter for more information on how to keep your soils balanced.