The PRECISE Act of 2023 is designed to help farmers and ranchers use smarter, more efficient farming methods through USDA support programs. Precision agriculture means using technology and data to carefully manage exactly how much seed, fertilizer, water, chemicals, and other resources you use on your crops or livestock—applying the right amount in the right place at the right time. This reduces waste, saves money, and protects the environment.

The bill updates several existing USDA conservation and loan programs to make it easier for farmers to adopt these precision agriculture technologies and practices. For example, programs that currently help farmers with conservation efforts can now specifically support them in buying precision agriculture equipment or implementing these techniques. The bill also expands rural lending programs so that loans can be used to invest in precision agriculture. Additionally, the USDA is required to work with outside experts and specialists when helping farmers improve their soil health through these conservation programs.

In practical terms, this means farmers who want to invest in GPS-guided tractors, soil sensors, automated irrigation systems, or other precision farming tools will have better access to government financial assistance and expert advice to help them make these investments. The goal is to help agriculture become more productive and sustainable while reducing environmental impact.

PRECISE Act of 2023

Fischer, Deb

Producing Responsible Energy and Conservation Incentives and Solutions for the Environment Act of 2023 or the PRECISE Act of 2023 This bill incorporates support for precision agriculture into various programs of the Department of Agriculture (USDA). Precision agriculture refers to managing, tracking, or reducing crop or livestock production inputs, including seed, feed, fertilizer, chemicals, water, and time, at a heightened level of spatial and temporal granularity to improve efficiencies, reduce waste, and maintain environmental quality. Precision agriculture technology includes any technology and equipment that directly contributes to a reduction in, or improved efficiency of, inputs used in crop or livestock production. Specifically, the bill makes changes to eligibility criteria, administrative procedures, and other aspects of the Conservation Loan Program, the Environmental Quality Incentives Program, and the Conservation Stewardship Program. These changes include allowing the programs to support the adoption of precision agriculture practices and acquisition of precision agriculture technologies. In addition, the bill expands a program through which USDA makes and insures loans to for-profit and nonprofit organizations that invest in rural areas by allowing the loans to be used for precision agriculture practices. Also, USDA must emphasize the use of third-party providers when providing technical assistance on matters related to soil health for participants in certain USDA conservation programs.