In Nov. 2014, I posted a blog entitled “Privacy of Farm/Farmer Data”, which deals with the issues surrounding the accumulation of “Big Data” sets that are being used by Agriculture Technology Providers (ATP’s). In this article, a link to “Privacy and Security Principles for Farm Data” is provided. This document was published by a coalition of farm groups, and provides principles and basic tenets that should be adopted and adhered to by each ATP.

To provide further information on the subject of Big Data use in agriculture, the Plant Management Network has posted a webinar in its Focus on Soybean series entitled “Big Data and Implications at the Farm” presented by Dr. John Fulton, Associate Professor at the Ohio State University. Dr. Fulton describes the current state of Big Data in agriculture, and provides recommendations to soybean producers and service providers to consider in their determination of how to use the options that are now available or soon will be available to them. He discusses:

• Using big data to promote sustainability, which involves farm profitability, accountability for water and nutrient applications, and crop yield


• Areas of investment and growth for digital agriculture


• Example application using planter technology that generates data to provide feedback to the operator


• Connectivity at the farm level to simplify data transfer and viewing


• Ensuring data quality and proper data cleaning and backup so that collected data are available and correct for use in making management decisions


• Generation of plant and machine data

He also provides example companies for data exchange, as well as website resources for additional detailed information.

I encourage you to view this webcast which is open access through Sept. 30, 2015.

Compiled by Larry G. Heatherly, Aug. 2015, larryheatherly@bellsouth.net