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Adds formal definitions for “precision agriculture” and “precision agriculture technology,” updates conservation program rules to explicitly support and pay for precision-ag practices and related tech, and requires USDA to promote soil health planning (using third-party technical assistance). Changes modify EQIP and CSP payment rules, allow certain farm loans to be used for practices that receive program payments, and require USDA to notify producers about loan/guarantee options—without specifying new funding or deadlines.
Amend Section 310B(a) of the Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act (7 U.S.C. 1932(a)).
Redesignate existing subparagraph (B) as subparagraph (C) within paragraph (1).
Insert a new subparagraph (B) defining the terms “precision agriculture” and “precision agriculture technology” by referencing their meanings in section 1201(a) of the Food Security Act of 1985 (16 U.S.C. 3801(a)).
In paragraph (2), in subparagraph (C) strike the word “and” at the end of the subparagraph.
In paragraph (2), in subparagraph (D) change the phrase “to facilitate” to the gerund form “facilitating.”
Who is affected and how:
Farmers and commercial producers: Directly affected. The bill makes precision agriculture an explicit, eligible set of activities for conservation payments and financing. Producers who adopt precision tools (sensors, variable-rate equipment, remote sensing, data services) may be eligible for program payments and can use certain loans for the same investments. CSP payment rules limiting payments for zero-cost activities could change which practices receive supplemental payments and how producers document costs or income effects.
Owners and operators of commercial farms: Likely to see clearer pathways to finance precision-ag investments through a combination of USDA program payments and farm loan or loan-guarantee authorities; may benefit from technical assistance and planning support.
Precision agriculture technology providers and service vendors (proposed category): Increased demand potential because technologies are explicitly recognized and may be funded through program payments or financed via loans; Secretary’s authority to add technologies can broaden market opportunities.
USDA and program administrators: Must update program definitions, payment schedules, guidance, and outreach; implement written-notification processes for loan/guarantee options; and provide or contract for third-party technical assistance for soil health planning.
Lenders and loan program administrators: May see increased use of certain farm loans for precision-ag investments and will need coordination with USDA programs; notification requirements place a new outreach burden on USDA.
Environment and communities: Potential environmental benefits from more targeted input use (reduced fertilizer/pesticide runoff, improved nutrient management, better soil health) if adoption rates rise; benefits depend on program funding and adoption.
Risks and uncertainties:
Replaces paragraph (3) of subsection (c) to add an exclusion preventing payments when the producer incurs no cost or income forgone for the conservation activity.
Modifies subsection (d): updates the subsection heading, adjusts paragraph (2) punctuation/formatting and adds a new subparagraph (C) for precision agriculture; amends paragraph (3) to include precision agriculture conservation activities in the list.
Amends section 1201(a) of the Food Security Act of 1985 by (1) inserting paragraph headings for specified definition paragraphs, (2) redesignating existing paragraphs (20)–(27) as (22)–(29), and (3) inserting two new definition paragraphs after paragraph (19) establishing definitions for "precision agriculture" and "precision agriculture technology" (with enumerated subparagraphs (A)–(K)).
Amends section 310B(a) of the Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act (7 U.S.C. 1932(a)) by (1) redesignating paragraph (1) subparagraph (B) as subparagraph (C); (2) inserting a new subparagraph (B) in paragraph (1) that defines the terms “precision agriculture” and “precision agriculture technology” by reference to section 1201(a) of the Food Security Act of 1985 (16 U.S.C. 3801(a)); and (3) making textual edits in paragraph (2) (changing wording in subparagraph (D)) and adding a new subparagraph (E) to paragraph (2) to authorize/encourage expanding the adoption of precision agriculture practices, including financing acquisition of precision agriculture technology.
Adds a new paragraph (6) to subsection (f) directing the Secretary to emphasize use of third-party providers for technical assistance related to soil health planning, including cover crops, precision agriculture practices, comprehensive nutrient management planning, and other innovative plans.
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Read twice and referred to the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry.
Introduced May 6, 2025 by Debra Fischer · Last progress May 6, 2025
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry.
Introduced in Senate