The Coalition to Advance Precision Agriculture is launching a new website, www.DiscoverPrecisionAg.org, aimed at improving communication between farm organizations and government officials about precision agriculture.

As profit margins have become thinner, farmers are turning to precision agriculture’s innovative practices and tools to help reduce costs, improve efficiency and reduce their environmental footprints. CAPA’s website will convey that message.

Members of the coalition include a range of organizations from across the agricultural community, from grower groups to agribusiness associations such as the Ag Retailers Association and CropLife America, working to develop the most advanced technology possible for farmers.

“Precision agriculture is where many of farming’s challenges and solutions come together,” says Daren Coppock, president & CEO of the Agricultural Retailers Association. “The precise application of nutrients and crop protection products as well as the analysis of production variables — such as soil type, fertility, past yield, slope and other data — help generate what essentially are prescriptions for healthy and abundant crops.

Sharing innovative technologies

“Agriculture today is a high-tech enterprise, and CAPA is a way to share these innovative technologies and practices with policymakers who otherwise might not know about or have access to the state of the art in farming.”

“From AgGateway’s perspective, CAPA is an important resource, informing government and industry leaders about the essential work being done to facilitate the exchange of electronic information for precision agriculture,” said AgGateway President and CEO Wendy Smith. “The ability to manage data is key to the continuing success of U.S. agriculture.”

American Farm Bureau Federation officials said they believe the CAPA’s new website can help them deliver the message that farmers are the original good stewards of the environment.

“Precision agriculture is about using just the right amount of seed, fertilizer and crop protection for every acre we plant,” said Dale Moore, executive director of public policy at the AFBF. “The technology revolution that made that precision possible promises still more abundance and less environmental impact than ever before.”

“Manufacturers of farm equipment have enthusiastically embraced technological innovation and have helped to advance precision agriculture to help make farming more efficient and sustainable than ever,” said Dennis Slater, president of the Association of Equipment Manufacturers. “We are proud to support CAPA and these new resources to raise awareness of the contributions of precision agriculture and educate policy stakeholders about the need to foster agricultural innovation.”

Seed technology improvements

“Continued innovation is paramount to the future of the American seed industry, American agriculture, and to our quality of life,” said American Seed Trade Association President and CEO Andrew W. LaVigne.

“CAPA’s resources are a great tool to help facilitate the conversation about precision agriculture, and the role it plays in addressing so many of the challenges we face today — from changing weather, to managing plant disease and pests, to ensuring food security through a wider variety of nutritious food choices that are safe and healthy for consumers and for the environment.”

Jay Vroom, CEO and president of CropLife America, the organization that represents the nation’s pesticide manufacturers, said his organization is “proud to be part of CAPA and the collective effort to communicate the importance of advancing U.S. agriculture.

“With a wide range of voices in the coalition, CAPA is an essential resource for decision makers and journalists looking for information on the role that technology and innovation play in agriculture. We invite everyone who is interested in the conversation on advancing farming – from foodies to moms and chefs and everyone in between – to visit the new CAPA website to become more informed and help us advance precision ag.”