Digital Surveys on the Farm and in the Environment

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Digital Surveys on the Farm and in the Environment

April 26, 2023 | all blog

Data. Where would our modern world be without its constant stream of information available any time of day? The knowledge data provides is vital to answering science questions of today, particularly when we consider the farm and surrounding environment where data can be used to:

  • Aid researchers with environmental questions related to water quality, air quality, biodiversity, and climate change.
  • Support growers with management decisions that can improve production on their farms and increase profitability.
  • Help farmers and stakeholders select best management practices (BMPs) that support soil and water stewardship goals.
  • Assist scientists with improving environmental risk assessments.

The classic data collection process has to be a survey which have traditionally been conducted on paper, making for a less reliable outcome. Modern technology has come to the rescue in the form of mobile and desktop applications that can collect digital surveys from any device (i.e., phones, tablets, and computers), record locations using GPS, collect photos, support offline data collection in areas with poor cellular service, and require little training to use. The data captured via these channels is immediately available online, where results can be quickly reported and analyzed. For those concerned with privacy, digital surveys can be collected anonymously and without location information. Examples of digital surveys relevant to the farm and/or environment include:

  • Field operations (e.g., planting, fertilizer applications, pesticide treatments, etc.).
  • Monitoring site visits.
  • BMP adoption.

Waterborne has extensive experience in the development and management of digital surveys. If you are interested in how these surveys might be able to help you, please get in touch with us for additional information.