Farm service businesses have an important role in establishing successful and sustainable precision agriculture activities in a farming community. The evolution and implementation of new cultural practices, technologies, and management styles occur in clusters or within communities. Agricultural service industries are often at the nucleus of these clusters providing a center for technical support, services, and educational programs. The innovative farmers within such a community who demand new services are the catalysts for development of new programs. Agricultural service providers with confidence in and commitment to supporting new farm practices often become the foundation for a cluster.
Precision farming involves the adoption of both new technology and a new level of management.
The technologically advanced equipment necessary to implement site-specific fertility and pest control plans can require a significant investment. This investment is often too expensive to be considered by many farm businesses, resulting in a new demand for precision farming services. Hence, the support of an agricultural service provider can become very important in the development of a precision farming cluster. The decision to adopt precision agriculture practices should be carefully considered. The issues surrounding the changes in management and productivity with precision farming are complex and there is little research available to predict the success and profit of farming with site-specific tools.