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The problem with the 15% number is how many are actually using it to manage their farm versus just on checking it out or using the weather/markets features? Th

by kfcm 12y ago

The problem with the 15% number is how many are actually using it to manage their farm versus just on checking it out or using the weather/markets features? The guys (dozen or so) I've spoken to about it are just using it for weather/markets. A second problem is web-/app-based farm management solutions place at loggerheads two qualities of good farmers: 1) progressive use of technology to increase profitability; and 2)the natural resistance to tell anyone what they've paid for inputs (land, machinery, seed, fertilizer) and what they're being paid for outputs. Farming is a business, and by giving out too much information, farmers risk being out-maneuvered by their competition. Whether the competition be another farmer discovering what's being paid for cash rent and offering $5/acre more, or a hedge-fund gathering up real-time planting and yield information to play the CBOT/CME. On a personal note, I've been involved in farming for 45+ years. My dad 80+ years. When explaining taking the information about the farm and crops and giving it to a company, my dad--who's never used a computer in his life--just stopped me and said: "That information is a new commodity they'd be getting for free to take and sell, and we'll never see a penny of it. " Something for farmers to consider.

gumballhead 12y ago
Agriculture is a practice affected by loads of variables that are often not well understood. Farmers could definitely benefit from products that could be created by applying data science to all the information collected from other farmers, the government, remote sensing, etc.
- kfcm 12y ago
  The problem is, ag data is a commodity. People/organizations can gather, mine, and create new products with it. It's always been that way, except the past few years have seen the types and amount of data being gathered, and the speed at which it can be analyzed growing rapidly. And farmers just are supposed to give this commodity away for free? An action which--whether done for free or for profit--might have some short-term benefits, but may run counter to their interests in the long-term? Yeah, right.

by kfcm 12y ago

gumballhead 12y ago

Agriculture is a practice affected by loads of variables that are often not well understood. Farmers could definitely benefit from products that could be created by applying data science to all the information collected from other farmers, the government, remote sensing, etc.

kfcm 12y ago
The problem is, ag data is a commodity. People/organizations can gather, mine, and create new products with it. It's always been that way, except the past few years have seen the types and amount of data being gathered, and the speed at which it can be analyzed growing rapidly. And farmers just are supposed to give this commodity away for free? An action which--whether done for free or for profit--might have some short-term benefits, but may run counter to their interests in the long-term? Yeah, right.