YourVoice.Now Summary
Environmental ConcernsFarmers adopting GPS and sensor-based "precision agriculture" could get USDA loans and up to 90% cost-share.
Environmental Concerns
- Conservation cost-share for precision agriculture — Federal share may reach 90% of adoption costs
- Conservation loan eligibility — Precision agriculture practices and equipment added as an allowed purpose
- Conservation Stewardship Program — Precision agriculture added to the higher-payment activity list
- Program stacking — A conservation loan and an EQIP payment may cover the same practice on the same land
The details
Precision agriculture means using GPS mapping, sensors, yield monitors, and data software to apply seed, feed, fertilizer, water, and chemicals more precisely. Farmers who adopt it could reach federal conservation money more easily. USDA conservation loans and loan guarantees would explicitly cover both the practices and the equipment. Producers borrowing for that purpose would move up in priority. The federal cost share also rises. USDA could cover up to 90 percent of the cost of adopting precision agriculture under the Environmental Quality Incentives Program. Producers could pair an EQIP payment with a conservation loan for the same practice on the same land, and USDA would have to tell them so in writing. Precision agriculture also joins the Conservation Stewardship Program's higher-payment activity list.
Congressional Summary
Producing Responsible Energy and Conservation Incentives and Solutions for the Environment Act or the PRECISE ActThis 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, payments, 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 related to soil health for participants in certain USDA conservation programs. This includes planning related to the use of cover crops, precision agriculture practices, and comprehensive nutrient management.
Details
- Congress
- 119th
- Chamber
- House
- Status
- summarized
- Action
- Introduced in House
- Action Date
- 2025-11-19
- Date Added
- 2026-07-28
- Source
- Congress.gov →
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