We’re happy to bring you more information from the American Soybean Association (ASA) and John Deere “Reach for the Stars” summer grower meeting in Bettendorf, Iowa, on July 20th at Scott Community College.

The morning classroom sessions continued with a presentation from John Hoffman, ASA President and 2,000-acre corn and soybean grower near Waterloo, Iowa. Hoffman spoke about how precision agriculture is helping to meet global demand for U.S. soy and outlined three key benefits to precision farming:
1. Improved Profitability
2. Increased Efficiency
3. Enhanced Sustainability

He began with a look at the global marketplace. “We have a global marketplace that has become very complex and competitive. As we look ahead, where are we going to find the acres? U.S. soybean production in 2006 was 3.2 billion bushels; soybean acres planted in 2006 was 76 million. In 2007, soybean acres planted was 64 million – down about 13 percent from a 5-year trend line. Exports are running at an all-time high, and the U.S. is the dominant supplier of soybeans.”

“The ASA endorses precision ag and we, along with John Deere, are excited about the potential that this new, innovative technology holds for U.S. farmers,” continued Hoffman. “I believe that precision ag will improve our profitability, enhance our sustainability and that precision farming is part of the solution for becoming a reliable supplier.”

Visit the John Deere Web site for more information about the GreenStar™ 2 system. Watch for future reports from Mark Hanna, Extension Agricultural Engineer with Iowa State University as well as feedback from three of the local Reach for the Stars contest winners.