The Precision Farming Primer is a collection of Joseph K. Berry's popular "Inside the GIS Toolbox" column published in the @gInnovator newsletter from 1993 through 2000.  It uncovers the potential and pitfalls of the rapidly evolving field of precision farming—not only what precision farming can and can't not do, but how it does it.  This book is ideal for farmers, crop consultants, agronomists, farm input advisors, technology developers and scientists who are interested in a basic understanding of the concerns and considerations surrounding precision farming.  The concepts are presented in an informal manner designed so the reader can grasp the broad issues and then delve into more detail, even to the algorithm level.

The Precision Farming Primer describes a comprehensive approach to precision farming consisting of five parts.  The early discussions are concerned with the nature, accuracy and application of the two types of spatial data used in precision farming—continuously logged data, such as yield measurements and discrete point data, such as soil samples.  The third part of the book discusses the procedures of mapped data analysis used to derive relationships between farm outputs (yield map) and the inputs (maps of soil properties, nutrient, terrain and other factors).  The next portion of the book investigates spatial modeling approaches that use site-specific relationships to determine appropriate management actions.  The final portion discusses general issues surrounding GIS and GPS technology.  The appendices provide more detailed discussion of the material presented, a compilation of resources and a software checklist.

The book is available for online viewing at www.innovativegis.com