NARC Precision Agriculture
Welcome to the NARC Precision Agriculture Program! Explore our active research projects, field trials, and practical tools designed to support producers in Montana. This site features updates on ongoing studies, educational content, video tutorials, and digital resources to help you apply precision agriculture technologies on your farm or ranch.
Research Interests
Supporting Producers Across Montana Through Innovation and Technology
The Precision Agriculture Program at the Northern Agricultural Research Center focuses on evaluating and integrating emerging technologies to improve the efficiency, profitability, and sustainability of farming and ranching systems in northcentral Montana. Through applied research and on-farm trials, we assess tools such as remote sensing, variable rate application, autonomous equipment, and data-driven decision support systems.We collaborate with farmers, industry partners, and researchers across Montana State University and beyond to ensure that new technologies are practical, effective, and regionally relevant. Our goal is to provide producers with timely, research-based recommendations that optimize inputs, enhance productivity, and support environmental stewardship.The program is committed to hands-on outreach, demonstration, and education, offering local producers access to workshops, field days, and digital resources that translate cutting-edge innovation into real-world results on Montana farms and ranches.
Current Projects and Collaborations
Current projects
- Remote sensing for improving precision weed management in fallow
- Integrating trapping and remote sensing data for quantifying wheat stem sawfly infestation
- Impact of precision weed management on soil health and pulse crop production
Collaborations
- Variety-specific spectral responses to wheat stem sawfly vs wireworm pest pressure
- Integrating satellite imagery and virtual fencing for enhanced grazing management
- Soil Organic Carbon Mapping and Stock Estimation: Integrating Machine Learning, Satellite Observations, and Climate Factor Scale Effects on Farmland
Current Team
Dr. Ricardo Pinto
Assistant Professor, Precision Agriculture Research and Extension Specialist
