Data Collection Lagging Due to Trust Concerns

Big data, as its called, is often cited as one of the major drivers of the future of agriculture, but many farmers are resistant to opening their farm to that data collection.

California Roger Royse said the trust issue is significant because of what might happen with yield data.

“Or maybe financial data. I’m going to figure out how profitable that farm is and then I’m going to take that data and sell it the companies that sell the inputs to the farm cause they’ll know how profitable the farm is, or maybe I’ll go sell it to one of that farmers neighbors so can come and know what that farm is worth or maybe I’ll sell it back to the owner of the land.”

There are also many farmers that don’t trust the government and what they might do with the information according to Texas producer Billy Tiller.

“What would keep the EPA from wanting to subpoena my records. I live in a watershed, so there’s a lot of caution.”

The House Ag Subcommittee took testimonly recently on the progress of big data and how and why farmers might reject it.