Precision Ag: Internet Connectivity…the Broadband Divide in Agriculture

As we continue to modernize our agricultural/farming operations across the nation, the amount of data generated by modern machinery (i.e. planters, sprayers, combines to mention a few) will likely overwhelm the communication infrastructure in our farming communities. Our review of the US Department of Agriculture’s 2012 Agriculture Census gave us the initial evidence that our governmental investment in communication infrastructure was falling quickly “behind the curve” as far as its ability to move farming data in an efficient, timely manner. However, other than a sense of the problem, we did not have the evidence of the magnitude of the data transfer problem. Now we do!

A presentation by Dr. Scott Shearer (Chair, Department of Food, Agricultural, and Biological Engineering, The Ohio State University) at the Northwest Ohio Precision Ag Technology Day provided us with the insight we needed to connect the “dots”. Dr. Shearer slides presented the file sizes for machine outputs for typical farming operations. The file sizes are as follows:

Using the above farming operation information as our guideline and the typical speeds for the different Internet communication mechanisms, we computed the amount of time the above operations will take (in hours). Figures 1-4 shows the results of these calculations.

Figure 1 Yield Maps Uploads

Figure 2 Planting Data Uploads

Figure 3 Spraying Data Uploads

Figure 4 Fertilizer Uploads

The graphs show two cluster areas: operational speeds come as a result of a DSL, wireless implementations. For our wireless calculations we used a 1.0 MB/second speed, traditionally associated with rural communities wireless deployments. As wireless speeds increase, the amount of time will be reduced by the factor of the increase (i.e. a 2.0 MB/sec will reduce our calculated wireless values by 2).

Clearly, Dial-Up operations are not suitable for any meaningful data transfer. An unintended consequence of a Dial Up infrastructure is that it will preclude any “cloud” operations for the farmer. The only option for this farmer is to download the data to a USB drive and physically deliver its contents to the Cooperative, equipment provider of his/her choice. For this farmer, the ability to take full advantage of the technology implemented in his farming equipment is limited (at best). As the prices of key commodities continue to drop, this type of data access inefficiency will translate in less revenue per acre…having a profit or a loss in his balance sheet.

What is the bottom line? The last three charts show the Internet penetration for the State of Ohio based on the 2012 Agricultural Census. Figure 5 shows the Dial-Up presence, Figure 6 shows DSL, and Figure 7 shows the mobile infrastructure. The conclusion of all of these calculations relates to the economic principle of “return on investment”. The true return on investment for Precision Ag methods will come to those communities that can bring together the power of technology, an analytic backbone, a decision cycle based on access to ground truth, and a communication infrastructure that can support all of the above operations in a timely manner. All elements must be in place…and for communication infrastructure, our elected officials need to answer the mail for the execution of this strategy.

Ms. Sara DeWine - GIS Analyst

Figure 5 Dial Up Internet Infrastructure for Ohio (2012)

Figure 6 DSL Internet Infrastructure for Ohio (2012)

Figure 7 Mobile (Wireless) Infrastructure for Ohio (2012)