Describe technologies used in agriculture and their importance.

Description should include technology used in in site-specific farming to collect timely geospatial information on soil-plant-animal requirements and to prescribe and apply site-specific treatments to increase agricultural production and protect the environment.

Additionally, description should include information on

  • variable rate technology (VRT)
  • animal identification technology
  • irrigation
  • mapping technology
  • virtual fencing
  • global positioning system (GPS)
  • geographic information systems (GIS)
  • guidance technology
  • remote sensing (RS) technology
  • unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV) (e.g., drones)
  • self-driving tractors
  • software applications (apps) for remote management
  • robotics (e.g., for milking).

Process/Skill Questions:

  • What could be some of the consequences of not maintaining records for an animal enterprise?
  • What are some of the record-keeping categories for health, breeding, and production?
  • What systems are available to assist producers in maintaining records?
  • What are expected progeny differences (EPDs) and why are they important to the agricultural enterprise?