Perceptions of precision agriculture technologies in the U.S. fresh apple industry

    Collection:
    Agricultural Communications Documentation Center (ACDC)
    Contributers:
    Gallardo, Karina R. (author), Grant, Kara (author), Brown, David J. (author), McFerson, James R. (author), Lewis, Karen M. (author), Einhorn, Todd (author), Sazo, Mario Miranda (author), and Washington State University Michigan State University Cornell Cooperative Extension
    Format:
    Journal article
    Publication Date:
    2019-02-28
    URL:
    https://journals.ashs.org/horttech/view/journals/horttech/29/2/article-p151.xml
    Published:
    United States: American Society for Horticultural Science
    Location:
    Agricultural Communications Documentation Center, Funk Library, University of Illinois Box: 15 Document Number: D10435
    Journal Title:
    HortTechnology
    Journal Title Details:
    29(2) : 151-162
    Subject Term:
    adoption behavior, attitudes, colleges, extension programs, extension research, farmer attitudes, farmer perceptions, farmers, perceptions, technological advancement, precision farming, apples, collaboration, and industry
    Notes:
    12 pages., Via online journal., Advances in precision agriculture technologies provide opportunities to improve the efficiency of agricultural production systems, especially for high-value specialty crops such as fresh apples (Malus domestica). We distributed an online survey to apple growers in Washington, New York, and Michigan to elicit stakeholder perceptions of precision agriculture technologies. Findings from this study demonstrated that growers are willing to adopt precision agriculture technologies when they receive results from applied research projects and are engaged with active extension programs. The availability of customized services and purchasing and rental options may minimize the effects of the economies of size that create barriers to adopting increasing access to technologies. Finally, respondents deemed collaborative efforts between industry and academic institutions crucial for adapting the innovation to better address the needs of growers.

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