Precision farming, a blend of tractors, satellites, lasers and the like, isn’t magic
to Stephen Portch. The
new technology is precisely what agriculture needs from the state’s universities.
"I
do some amateur farming, and I know that if your operation is not precise, it’s not
efficient," Portch said. "And in the professional, competitive world of modern
agriculture, that’s what you’ve got to be."
In a recent visit to the Tifton campus of the University
of Georgia College of Agricultural and
Environmental Sciences, Portch said he’s excited about the combination of technology
and farming he saw.
"This is not like your father’s farming," he said after the 1998 Precision
Agriculture Forum and Trade Show. "This is truly fascinating work being done
here."
Portch said part of the mission of the University System of Georgia is to not only
conduct research that helps Georgians, but to extend that knowledge to them.
"We must maximize the use of technology, " he said, "not just in
agriculture, but also in teaching, research and extension."
He sees the entire university system supporting agriculture. UGA,
the main responsibility to teach and extend agriculture. But Portch said the system’s role
in farming isn’t exclusive to those three schools.
"A lot of the technology is being developed at Georgia
Tech and several other of our colleges and universities," he said. "The
biggest challenge for all of us is keeping up with the dramatic rate of change. But we do
need to stay a half-step ahead of our customers."
|
Chancellor Stephen Portch looks at fungi
|
Portch showed particular interest in the new
Diagnostics Digital Imaging system. This system, installed in 31 counties during early
1998, allows county extension agents to take digital pictures of diseased plants both in
the field and under a microscope.
The agents then upload the pictures to the World Wide Web. Scientists great distances
away can identify the problem and make a recommendation, usually via e-mail.
"It’s a reality that we can’t have every specialist in every corner of the state
to help farmers," Portch said. "But this system puts together expertise and
technology, and this allows us to increase our service."
As an amateur farmer, Portch sees the potential value of the university’s work in
precision agriculture using Global Positioning System equipment. He said that’s likely to
have long-term impact for Georgia farmers, and for farmers all over the world who will
benefit from Georgia research.
"Who would have thought, even just 25 years ago, that farmers would need
technological and computer skills?" he asked. "But today, farmers almost can’t
live without them."
