This poster uses data obtained from a 2005 survey of cotton producers to assess the adoption of precision agriculture technologies by Louisiana Cotton producers. The poster identifies the extent to which specific technologies have been adopted. In addition to quantifying the level of adoption, the poster examines the factors important in making the adoption decision. In addition to yield monitors, there are a variety of other practices producers may employ as components of precision agriculture technologies. The poster examines the adoption rate for several of these technologies.

A comparison is made between producers who have adopted precision agriculture technologies and those who have not adopted the technologies. This comparison is based on farm size and selected demographic characteristics. A comparison is also made between survey respondents and census data for selected demographic and other characteristics. These comparisons demonstrate the level of comparability between the survey respondents and Louisiana cotton producers in general.

Results presented here indicate that adopters of precision agriculture technologies tend to operate somewhat larger farms and have a higher level of education than non-adopters. Survey respondents tended to be from farming operations that were above the average reported in the census. Results indicated that overall adoption of precision agriculture technologies by cotton producers was low. Key factors influencing adoption included farm size, education level, and age of operator.