Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA) Agribusiness Practice Test

What does precision farming entail?

1. A uniform application of fertilizers across fields

2. A crop management system based on field differences

3. Planting multiple crops in one field

4. A technique for organic farming

The correct answer is: A crop management system based on field differences

Precision farming is a modern agricultural approach that focuses on managing farm variability in a way that optimizes field-level management regarding crop farming. This method relies on understanding and utilizing the differences within a specific field, such as variations in soil type, moisture levels, crop health, and other environmental factors. By employing data-driven techniques, farmers can apply inputs like water, fertilizers, and pesticides more accurately, tailored to the specific needs of different areas within the same field. This leads to increased efficiency, reduced costs, and improved crop yields over time. The focus on field differences allows farmers to apply only what is necessary, rather than blanket applications that may be wasteful or less effective. The other options do not accurately capture the essence of precision farming. Uniform application of fertilizers, for instance, disregards the nuances of soil and crop needs across different sections of a field, which is contrary to the principle of precision agriculture. Planting multiple crops in one field refers to intercropping, which is a separate agricultural strategy and does not relate to the precision farming approach of optimizing inputs based on field variability. Similarly, while organic farming may use some precision techniques, it is specific to growing crops without synthetic chemicals and is not synonymous with the concept of precision farming.