Advanced technology research can make food production systems more economical, efficient, and environmentally friendly through improved precision in data collection, analysis and the resulting management actions. This requires knowing the exact conditions of plants, animals, and their growing environments—individually or grouped with similar characteristics—and responding precisely to detected or anticipated needs. New technologies, such as advanced sensors, wireless communications, satellite-based positioning and computer assisted management, are required to sense conditions in food production systems, interpret and predict impacts of changing conditions, communicate and interpret information rapidly, and take appropriate action. The results are precise application of seed, fertilizer, water, pesticides, feed, heat/cooling, inoculation, or other treatments.

Technologies designed specifically for the food products and conditions of the state are crucial to precision food production systems. Technology development and deployment requires research to understand underlying scientific principles. This understanding guides (a) gathering of information on plants and animals, (b) interpreting data properly, and (c) predicting effects of different actions on plant and animal well-being and environmental impact. Three types of technologies are needed:

• Sensors of plant stress, soil water status, soil nutrients, plant emergence, animal health, yield
• Predictions of plant growth, yield, maturity, weather, water stress, disease spread, fertility
• Controls and mechanisms for application of water, fertilizer, pesticides, ripening agents, vaccines

ATI funding will be used to supplement recent reallocations within WSU and build on existing expertise. Present expertise includes scientists in disciplines ranging from crop science to engineering and from biological chemistry to agricultural economics— all located at WSU sites across Washington. With ATI funding, WSU will hire two senior scientists and technicians and support them to organize teams focused on priority projects and lead new initiatives to increase funding from private and public sources. WSU will become recognized nationally as a leader for the development, manufacturing, and application of technologies supporting precision food production.

WSU has a narrow window of opportunity for establishing an effort that attracts funding for aggressive development of needed technologies. No other location in the nation or world has this state’s combination of diverse food products and its number of scientists with interest in precision food production systems. WSU has captured the attention of at least one multi-national company interested in investing over $500,000 in precision food production systems. But universities in other states are aggressively seeking to divert this attention and potential funding. ATI funding is crucial at this time to demonstrate the state’s commitment to this effort. ATI funding will leverage external funding many times the state’s $500,000 annual investment.

This initiative benefits all people of the state through:

• New startup businesses to develop, manufacture, and use new technologies
• Higher quality food products with improved nutrition, longer storability, increased safety
• Increased ability to conduct agricultural operations using environmentally responsible techniques
• Increased crop yield and profitability for food producers, adding to the state’s economy
• More precise irrigation, reducing water use and power consumption
• Less groundwater and surface runoff from fields, reducing nutrient contamination to waterways

Text accompanying combine image copyright Precision Farming (www.precisionfarming.com), a supplement to GPS World published by Advanstar Communications Inc. Used with permission.