The Value of Data in Agriculture – By the Wyoming Department of Agriculture

Data may not be the first thing you think about when you hear the words agriculture, ranching, or farming but that doesn’t mean it’s not of vital importance to each. Gathering data in agricultural operations not only helps producers make better decision, it helps protect their operations and allows them to make plans for the future.

The tools available to producers continue to grow and evolve to assist in almost every aspect of this industry. Developments in precision agriculture, resource optimization, animal health and more are constantly evolving and providing opportunities to improve our industry and the commodities we produce.

Having the right data can make a big difference in any operation. It can help improve decision making on the ranch by helping guide the best time to sell their cattle based on market trends and other variables as well as help with grazing and herd management strategies. It can also increase efficiencies in their operation by following the feed conversion and growth rate of specific breeds and by determining which areas of their land are best suited for grazing at any given time. Data can be utilized to monitor grazing lands, improve animal health, help guide business decisions and more.

Not only does having good data help producers, it can also help protect grazing allotments by showing the positive impacts of agriculture and into the future.

A good example of the importance of data can be found in the Rangeland Health Assessment Program (RHAP) through the Wyoming Department of Agriculture. This program started in 2010 and helps researchers and producers gather important data to our industry. It has been providing an avenue for cooperative monitoring, education, and important data collection since its inception. The RHAP program’s principal focus is centered on the cooperative involvement of all parties, beginning with the design of the project, education related to methodology, determining the health of the rangelands, which can lead to sustainable grazing now and into the future. This program provides an avenue for the permittees to be more involved in adaptive management strategies, founding decisions based on scientifically defensible data, and credible monitoring data for National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) requirements essential for permit renewals on federal lands. This program provides sound scientific data that can be used to guide future management decisions as well as provide data for permit renewal.

This program is just one example of data collected to help optimize and move our industry forward. Data from across their operations can help producers make sound business decisions, while continuing to be the best stewards of the land, while maintaining the agricultural culture and heritage of our state into the future. The more useful data that can be collected and utilized, the more successful the operation can be.