Abstract
Enthusiasm regarding the “digital agriculture” revolution is widespread, yet objective research on how commercial farms actually use data and data services remains limited. The purpose of this research is to better understand the current positioning of U.S. commercial corn and soybean farms within the farm data lifecycle, including the collection, use, and impact of farm data. Using survey data from a sample of 800 commercial-scale U.S. corn and soybean farms, the factors associated with progression within the farm data lifecycle are examined. Results indicate that the majority of commercial U.S. corn and soybean farms collect data, indicate that the data they collect influences their decisions, and perceive positive yield benefits as a result of their data-informed decisions. However, farms vary in intensity of their data usage. Investments in data management and analysis resources are associated with progression within the farm data lifecycle. These investments comprise software products that manage and analyze data, including creating GPS maps, layering different data sources, and generating recommendations. Investments in human capital, either in on-farm employees with designated data responsibilities or in trusted off-farm service providers, are also associated with progression within the farm data lifecycle. Farms that have not yet invested in these types of data management and data analysis resources may be forfeiting the potential benefits associated with using their farm’s data to improve on-farm decision making.
Highlights
A great deal of enthusiasm over “digital agriculture” and “big data” in agriculture has emerged among industry, venture capital, and an eager farm press
What kinds of data are farmers collecting? What software platforms do producers subscribe to and what features do these software solutions offer? Do producers share their data with outside service providers? Most importantly, how do these data and software services integrate into existing production systems to impact decision making and, subsequently, farm outcomes? There is a clear need to better understand how commercial farms in the United States use the data they collect and the value that data brings to their operations relative to the technical, and sometimes impractical, offerings of data service providers
The objective of this study is to identify where commercial U.S corn and soybean farms lie in the farm data lifecycle and to determine the factors associated with producers’ progress in the collection, use, and impact of farm data on their operations
Summary
A great deal of enthusiasm over “digital agriculture” and “big data” in agriculture has emerged among industry, venture capital, and an eager farm press. Several large-scale acquisitions suggest the value of farm data to be vast. There is a noticeable deficit of objective research on how commercial farms use data and data services. What kinds of data are farmers collecting? Do producers share their data with outside service providers? There is a clear need to better understand how commercial farms in the United States use the data they collect and the value that data brings to their operations relative to the technical, and sometimes impractical, offerings of data service providers. Researchers and extension educators can better serve agricultural producers, service providers, and developers by addressing these questions
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