This January 9-10 in St. Louis, will present a new opportunity for precision farming retailers to gather at the 2nd Precision Farming Dealer Summit. The intimate event will feature networking and idea sharing through general sessions, panel presentations and dealer-moderated roundtable discussions.

The benefits of precision farming translate to multiple farming practices, but strip-till is often cited as a system in which technology is essential. Banding nutrients beneath the soil surface and accurately planting into a fertile seed bed are cornerstones of strip-till, enhanced by a reliable guidance technology.

As farm equipment dealers continue to emphasize areas of opportunity, precision growth remains a priority for many. So what areas are dealers targeting as long-term precision profit centers?

With the agricultural industry in somewhat of a holding pattern for broad use of unmanned aerial vehicles, the Federal Aviation Administration this week finalized its much-anticipated rule for commercial use of small unmanned drones. The new regulations are set to take effect in late August and provide more detailed, and in some cases, less restrictive requirements for flying UAVs.

At the pinnacle of the precision farming boom, technology specialists were in high demand, while supply was relatively low. But as the farm machinery market has slowed, so too have precision hiring plans for most OEM dealers according to Ag Equipment Intelligence’s 2016 Dealer Business Outlook & Trends report.

Progress on developing true plug-and-play compatibility through ISOBUS connections has been ongoing, although at times, it’s an arduous process, especially in North America. But the collaboration of two independent organizations aiming to streamline equipment functionality could help accelerate the rate of progress.

As the field of data management service providers in agriculture becomes increasingly crowded, more attention is being paid to companies that can provide a tangible return on a farmer’s investment.

Moving into the second quarter of 2016, many precision dealers are maintaining a conservative sales outlook for the foreseeable future. But there may be reason for optimism, based on the recent results of No-Till Farmer’s 8th annual Benchmark Study.

Seeking to more fully blend its hardware and agronomic-based solutions, Trimble recently announced a new distribution channel to deliver the company’s diverse line of precision products. Known as Vantage, the new dealer network will be purely a distribution model, while Trimble will remain the primary brand for products and services.

Recent years have seen momentum build for autonomous vehicles in agriculture as a potentially more efficient and durable alternative to today’s machinery. But to bring autonomy to North American agriculture, it’s going to have to be phased in, says Kraig Schulz, president and CEO of Autonomous Tractor Cooperation.