Grant funds Kan. precision agriculture partnership

HAYS, Kan. -- Kansas farmers and farmers-in-training will get some help learning to use the latest technology.

The National Institute of Food and Agriculture has awarded $277,000 to Fort Hays State University and Hutchinson Community College to promote so-called precision agriculture. It involves using GPS and satellite technology to map fields and precisely apply chemicals and seed and measure the crop yield.

Both schools have farms and will use the money to acquire farm equipment.

Hutchinson Community College will purchase a GPS-compatible grain combine and a farm utility vehicle with soil grid sampling equipment. Its program will have a hands-on focus, with students learning to use and maintain the equipment.

Fort Hays State's program will focus more on data analysis.