Precision agriculture: From real-time farming data to meta analysis

Précis:

Susan Kuchinskas looks at how analysis and merging of data from farming equipment and other sources could improve the precision of agricultural practices – and maybe end world hunger.

John Reifsteck is a new kind of farmer. Unlike the stereotypical guy scanning the skies in search of clouds and rain, the corn and soybean grower from Illinois knows exactly where that next thunderstorm is in relation to his tractor and those of his crew.

“One of the worst things that can happen is to be planting and then have a heavy thunderstorm that packs the soil,” he says. “You can decide, I’d rather not plant and save the seed.”