Exploring Differences in Precision Agriculture Adoption: New and Beginning Farmers, and Established Farmers

ABSTRACT This paper compares precision agriculture (PA) adoption between new and beginning farmers (NBFRs) and established farmers using data from a 2021 U.S. Midwest farmer survey. We focus on the human capital of two different groups of farmers in the PA adoption. NBFRs adopted PA technologies at a higher rate than established farmers, with the most substantial adoption gap observed in diagnostic technologies that require human capital investment. A higher proportion of NBFRs held college degrees in agricultural majors, which significantly influenced PA adoption. The findings highlight the need for targeted education and support to ensure sustainable PA adoption among NBFRs. JEL Classification: Q10, Q12, 116