| The Cooperative Extension Service is challenged to assess the needs of customers who are unable or unwilling to try new production techniques that have potential to increase profitability. Precision farming is the practice of tailoring soil and crop management to fit the existing variability of field conditions. This research describes farm population characteristics and precision farming adoption rates in three North Central Kentucky counties. Discussion focuses on the extent of the adoption of specific precision farming technologies, identifies adoption impediments, and measures farmers' perceptions about the future of precision fanning.;Based upon the findings, adoption rates of precision farming technologies in the region are similar to those in the Upper Midwest. Yield mapping and grid-soil sampling are the most common precision farming practices, and they tend to be adopted primarily by larger grain or grain and livestock farms. Regionally, farmers are highly optimistic concerning perceived future benefits of precision technologies with 42.6% of adopting farms indicating that they believe precision fanning has increased profitability.;Using concepts introduced by Nowak in 1992, the study provides an analysis of farmers' opinions about reasons that they are unable or unwilling to adopt precision technologies. Opinions concerning impediments to adoption vary considerably between users and non-users of precision technology. Farmers in this region who have experience with precision farming believe that the cost of the technology is the most significant factor preventing full adoption of the practice.;This study also gathered data on farm producers' satisfaction with precision technology services and programs of regional fertilizer dealers and the Cooperative Extension Service. A t-test for comparison of means for all groups shows farmers have a higher level of satisfaction with soil test results and recommendations from extension agents, but rely on their local fertilizer dealer for technical support for precision farming. |
