                                ROANOKE TIMES 
                      Copyright (c) 1996, Roanoke Times

DATE: Sunday, August 18, 1996                TAG: 9608190092
SECTION: VIRGINIA                 PAGE: B-5  EDITION: METRO 
DATELINE: SURRY
SOURCE: LINDA McNATT LANDMARK NEWS SERVICE

SATELLITES BECOME AN AID TO FARMERS

Twenty-one satellites planted deep in orbit by the military years ago are paying off in the private sector, and the agricultural industry is reaping a huge part of the harvest.

Neil Zahradka, a nutrient management specialist with the Virginia Department of Recreation and Conservation, said the same satellites that may soon be helping motorists find their way on unfamiliar highways already are helping farmers in Virginia apply just the right amount of herbicides, pesticides and nutrients to specific plots in their fields.

``This is the most exciting advance we've had in agriculture for years,'' he said. ``It is an amazing revolution. And, environmentally, it's probably the best way we can go.''

More than 1,000 farmers learned more about the technique - called precision farming - at Ag Expo '96 in Surry County on Saturday.

The event featured exhibitions, farm-equipment demonstrations and crop tours on the historic plantation, which is made up of farm fields tilled continuously since the mid-1700s.

The statewide agricultural exposition was sponsored by the Virginia Corn Growers Association and the Virginia Soybean Association in conjunction with the Virginia Cooperative Extension.

The expo featured a forum on genetically altered corn and soybeans, as well as displays from equipment dealers and other agribusinesses associated with ``satellite farming.'' About 60 commercial exhibitors were displaying the latest in agricultural equipment, seeds, fertilizers, supplies and technology.

To take advantage of precision farming, Zahradka said, farmers first must have soil samples conducted on their farms on a grid basis - that is, a sample every 21/2 acres. From there, they can load their laptop computers and global positioning receivers onto their tractors or ATVs, determine the exact plot they're on and take it from there to determine exactly what that plot of soil needs.

Another advantage is that the IRS is offering tax credits to farmers purchasing certain equipment required for precision farming.

``It's in its infant stage in Virginia right now, but it's all very exciting,'' Zahradka said.

LENGTH: Short :   48 lines

by CNB