Date Available
12-7-2011
Year of Publication
2008
Degree Name
Master of Science (MS)
Document Type
Thesis
College
Agriculture
Department
Agricultural Economics
First Advisor
Dr. Carl R. Dillon
Abstract
This thesis examines the use of two specific types of precision agriculture technologies: cost maps and lightbar. Cost maps visually depict spatial differences in production costs. The visual depictions of these costs are represented using ArcGIS in an attempt to aide farmers in further decision making. Results will show that cost maps have great possibilities in their addition to the set of tools that farmers use in decision making. This thesis will expand the understanding of lightbar from a partial budget study to a whole farm model incorporating competition across different enterprises for labor and capital. The results from the study of cost maps indicate that inaccuracy of machinery movement, whether in the application stage or the harvesting stage is very costly. As a result, the suggestion of lightbar as a guidance aide to improve farm profitability is recommended under the conditions analyzed and shows a net farm return increase in just over 6%.
Recommended Citation
Kayrouz, Benjamin Michael, "PRECISION AGRICULTURE: REALIZING INCREASED PROFIT AND REDUCED RISK THROUGH COST MAP AND LIGHTBAR ADOPTION" (2008). University of Kentucky Master's Theses. 530.
https://uknowledge.uky.edu/gradschool_theses/530
