Embracing Variable Rate Technology in Arizona Crops:Geographic Visualization of Field Zone Management

Abstract

The concept of “Zone Management” in US agriculture emerged in the early 2000’s; it derived from the paradigm shift towards site-specific management of production inputs. The technological driver that fueled this change was the introduction of satellite-based global positioning systems (GPS) of sub-meter precision. Since then, Precision Agriculture (PA) has evolved as an academic discipline to study the relationships between digital technology, its user interface, and the characteristics of the farming system where it is intended to be implemented. Moreover, PA is an intensively practical and applied discipline, embraced by a large segment of practitioners and service providers in the US agricultural community and abroad.