Subcommittee on General Farm Commodities

The Future of Farming Subcommittee on General Farm Commodities

Promising new information technologies, and the increasing utilization of data in agriculture, are influencing the future of farming. It is a critical time for everyone involved in production agriculture. Given tight margins and a continued slump in the prices at the farm gate, even routine day-to-day decision making can determine whether the farmer will turn an annual profit. The decisions that are made surrounding data and agriculture technology will decide the future of farming in America and impact producers for years to come as technologies continue to expand and evolve. Big data is influencing planting decisions, optimizing yields, it gives farmers tools to more accurately assess soil health and water usage, and it is even cutting down on labor costs. Farmers are also quickly learning that smart investments in new technology will not only make them more efficient, but will also conserve resources and ensure their land will remain productive for generations to come. While cutting-edge technology promises many benefits, there are also significant challenges to overcome. Farmers are justifiably concerned about the privacy and security of their data, while questions loom over data ownership. Inadequate rural broadband access is also a significant barrier for farmers who lack the high-speed Internet needed to take full advantage of innovations. As the industry continues to make investments in its future, the Federal Government must keep pace to modernize and adapt to a rapidly changing environment.