Precision Agriculture Yields Gains: 5% Crop Increase & Major Input Savings in U.S. Farms
Smart farming tech is paying off. Precision agriculture has boosted U.S. crop yields by 5% and slashed input use-saving water, fuel, fertilizer, and herbicides. And the data shows there's still more room to grow.
The updated report, "The Benefits of Precision Ag In The U.S.," was released in partnership with the American Farm Bureau Federation, American Soybean Association, CropLife America, and the National Corn Growers Association. Data analysis and modeling were led by consulting firm Kearney.
Precision Agriculture Impact by the Numbers (Per 1,000 Acres)
| Economic Impact | +$118,000 per year | $118 per acre |
| Fuel Savings | ~$4,000 | 7% less fuel used |
| Herbicide Savings | ~$12,000 | 9% more efficient use |
| Boosted Yields | +$66,000 | 5% more crop production |
| Water Savings | ~$16,000 | 5% less water used |
| Fertilizer Savings | ~$20,000 | 8% more efficient use |
Thanks to widespread use of smart irrigation systems and soil sensors, U.S. farms have achieved a 5% reduction in annual water usage. That translates into a truly staggering volume of fresh water saved nationwide.
Water Savings from Precision Agriculture
| Smart Irrigation & Soil Sensors | 824,000 Olympic-sized swimming pools of water saved in the U.S. |
This kind of efficiency is crucial for regions facing water scarcity, drought, and climate-driven shifts in rainfall patterns.
Precision tools like John Deere's See & Spray and CNH Industrial's SenseApply have helped farmers reduce overall herbicide use by a staggering 55%. If 90% of U.S. farms adopted these systems, the benefits could scale even further.
Herbicide Reduction from Targeted Spray Technology
| Herbicide Use Reduction | 55% nationwide |
| Equivalent Volume Saved | Enough to fill 12,000 rail cars |
| Distance Equivalent | Would stretch across 136 miles |
Beyond environmental gains, this sharp reduction also supports regulatory compliance, soil health, and cost containment.
Austin Gellings, senior director of agricultural services at AEM, says the report underscores not just current benefits, but the untapped potential of precision technology. A further 6% yield gain is projected with broader adoption. And new innovations-like AI-driven imaging, real-time drone sensing, or autonomous machinery-could revolutionize farming again within the decade.
"We're in this technology boom," says Gellings. "And I can almost guarantee there will be another groundbreaking technology that doesn't exist today that will come along and fundamentally change the way we farm."
With the next Farm Bill on the horizon, policymakers may lean more heavily on smart ag incentives to boost resilience and reduce environmental impact. Programs focused on crop insurance reform, climate-smart farming, and co-op tech adoption could help unlock broader gains. Precision ag is also tightly linked to the USDA's goals for sustainability and loterm food security.
For now, the message is clear: precision ag works-and the business case is stronger than ever.