Hinson, Panetta, Finstad, Gray Reintroduce Bipartisan PRECISE Act to Expand Access to Precision Ag Technology

Washington, D.C. – Today, Congresswoman Ashley Hinson (R-IA-02) reintroduced the Producing Responsible Energy and Conservation Incentives and Solutions for the Environment (PRECISE) Act alongside Representatives Jimmy Panetta (D-CA-19), Brad Finstad (R-MN-01) and Adam Gray (D-CA-13). This bipartisan legislation will expand farmers' access to precision agriculture tools through existing U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) programs. 

"Farmers are the best conservationists and stewards of their land. I’ve seen the impact of precision agriculture firsthand in Iowa, and this technology is essential to boosting crop yields while reducing input costs and environmental impacts. The bipartisan PRECISE Act will expand access to these proven tools through programs our farmers know and trust, and I’m proud to continue championing this critical issue as we look to get the next Farm Bill across the finish line for Iowa farmers.” – Congresswoman Ashley Hinson
 
“Farmers across the nation and on the central coast of California are currently facing difficult challenges from everything from inflation, tariffs, labor challenges, burdensome regulations, shrinking markets, to mother nature. Our bipartisan legislation to help them with the investment, education, and application of technology in their everyday work is the least that we can do to lessen the many burdens of agriculture production. By making technology more accessible and useful to farmers, it can help them increase crop yields in a sustainable manner, make farming more cost effective for their families and rural communities, and ensure our country's food security." – Congressman Jimmy Panetta
 
“Southern Minnesota farmers lead the way in innovation, and precision agriculture is a key part of growing more with less while protecting our land for the next generation. The PRECISE Act builds on that success by ensuring producers can access the tools they need without adding new spending or creating new programs." – Congressman Brad Finstad
 
“The San Joaquin Valley is the center of cutting-edge agricultural innovation. This critical technology must be readily available to our farmers. The PRECISE Act would make this a reality: expanded federal support for technology purchases for farmers will keep us stay competitive on the world stage. Our Valley is the most productive agricultural region in the world, and I will work across the aisle with whoever is serious about making sure our producers have the tools they need to succeed.” – Congressman Adam Gray
 
 
Background:

• The PRECISE Act incentivizes private sector financing through programs like the Conservation Loan and Guaranteed Loan Programs and increases cost share and practice payments under EQIP and CSP for the purchase of precision agriculture technology.
• The PRECISE Act will also fund precision agriculture projects through joint participation of conservation cost-share programs and the Conservation Loan Program.
• Precision agriculture increases crop yields while lowering overall inputs and environmental impacts. The expansion of affordable precision agriculture technologies and applications has the potential to substantially increase crop yields, improve distribution, and reduce input costs, all while lowering emissions and preventing soil degradation.

Bill text can be found here.

###