Brad Haire This research provides information for farmers to better understand where the downforce on their planter needs to be set to aid in maximizing crop emergence. Laurabeth Bland, University of Georgia | Apr 01, 2021 Due to high consumer expectations, farmers and agricultural producers are constantly under pressure to deliver their products at higher yields for cheaper prices. This may seem like an impossible combination of demands, but University of Georgia Cooperative Extension researchers are developing precision agriculture methods to make the planting process more efficient for farmers while protecting profits. A recently published article in the journal Precision Agriculture revealed the importance of planter downforce and the impact that it, along with other precision technology, can have on harvest yields. Downforce is the pressure that farmers apply to their row unit to ensure that it's maintaining the depth at which the planter is set. The study was led by Simerjeet Virk and Wesley Porter, faculty in the College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences’ Department of Crop and Soil Sciences on the UGA Tifton campus.