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Abstract
The capabilities of planter and sprayer
technologies that link GPS navigation
with application control continue to
expand. Current technology permits
varying levels of control for sprayers and
planters down to the individual nozzle
and row. The economics of various levels
of control have not been reported in
the literature. This research incorporates
over 1,400 real-world cropland fields
to examine the effects of region, crops
grown, and acres covered on the returns
to investment in these technologies. While
the technologies generally are found to be
quite profitable, the relative returns varied
considerably across these factors. The
marginal return of investing in individual
nozzle (sprayer) or row (planter) control
is less obvious and thus it is important for
producers and farm managers to consider
their own unique situations.