Whether it'sfinding a new way to boost yields, apply variable rate nutrients, trim seed and chemical costs, control weeds or check out novel farm machinery ideas, no-tillers are always ready to try something new if it makes sense in their operations.

That’s certainly been the case with the adoption of precision ag technologies. And as confirmed in a recent analysis, the investment has been profitable for most precision ag users.

Lots of Precision Uses

Earlier this spring, L.E.K Consulting shared data from a survey of 300 U.S. growers that looked at the impact investing in precision ag had on their farming operations.

The data showed nearly half of these growers utilize precision ag. In fact, 25% are using nine or more different precision applications, such as soil sampling, monitoring, mapping, equipment positioning, variable rate seeding, GPS and variable rate chemical and nutrient application.

Nearly one-third of the growers ranked reduced cropping costs and improved yields as major economic benefits of precision ag.

Watching Dollars

Over the past 6 years, 48% of these growers continued to invest more dollars each year in precision ag, while 32% indicated their spending held steady. However, 33% of the growers reduced the amount of dollars they spent each year on precision ag.

Between now and 2022, only 27% of the growers expect to invest still more dollars each year on precision ag. Some 27% expect to spend the same amount each year, while 47% expect to spend less.

Unfortunately, the study indicated some growers don’t…