Keywords: Precision farming, Information management, GIS, Mapping, IT

In recent years, Precision Farming has seen considerable progress, which has resulted in the development of a large range of commercial products. To enable the introduction of these products into the market many different components have to be integrated into a system which must be profitable and easy to use for the farmer. For this, together with the improvement of the products, expert knowledge has to be integrated in the system. This process has been started but requires time.

In terms of information management in the future a standardisation process of electronic hard- and soft-ware has to be realised in the products. Without this, a wide acceptance of a complex, sophisticated technology like Precision Farming can not be achieved. In Europe appropriate standards have been developed and in part utilised in products.

Data acquisition is a decisive cost factor. In view of the modest financial benefits which can be expected through precision farming, the future of this new technology is especially dependent on efficient and cost-effective acquisition of the data. Data acquisition has to be limited to the required minimum.

Future developments of agricultural field management software will step by step integrate elements of geographic information systems. The dynamic development of these products will continue. Communication features provided with the help of the Internet will probably gain importance.

With the introduction of Precision Farming into practise a considerable knowledge transfer to the farm has to be realised.

Peter Jürschik, ATB Institute of Agricultural Engineering, Potsdam-Bornim,Germany.

24 pages, 3 tables, 5 figures, 15 refs.