Ricardo Manoel Arioli Silva, (standing) of Aprosoja Brazil, translates during the meeting so both the Brazilian and U.S. growers and representatives could share ideas and ask questions about ag data and technology.

New technologies and products are constantly entering the marketplace and generating millions of bits of data about farmers’ fields, crops and equipment.

In the past two years, the American Soybean Association (ASA) joined industry leaders and other farm groups to decide what to do with all of this data and establish a common position for farmers and companies on privacy.

ASA hosted a group of growers from Brazil to share information and lead discussion on ag data and technology this week in St. Louis.

Brazil is second to the U.S. in world soybean production, producing 31 percent or 3,674 bushels in 2015, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA).

During the meeting, ASA Washington Representative Bev Paul discussed establishing the privacy and security principles for farm data. The Brazilian group was interested in the process for developing the principles and how farm groups and ag tech providers were able to come to consensus.

Paul also reviewed the Ag Data Transparency Evaluator, a tool designed to help farmers understand how their data will be used when they adopt precision agriculture technologies. The evaluator was created to help producers understand where their data is going and who has access and control over it. The Transparency Evaluator is hosted on the Farm Bureau website here.

Jeremy Wilson, of Crop Information Management Services (IMS), also presented an update on precision ag and data management in the U.S., giving examples from his own farm. Wilson discussed how he sends data on yield to his local co-op and in return they send maps, custom products and handle soil sampling.

Wilson said farmers must be willing to consider new emerging technologies, like Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs), but make sure there’s a return of investment for their business.

Ricardo Manoel Arioli Silva represented the Association of Soy Producers Brazil (Aprosoja Brazil) and discussed how farmers use technology. Silva translated during the meeting so both the Brazilian and U.S. growers and representatives could share ideas and ask questions.

Former ASA Director Dean Campbell, an Illinois farmer, also discussed benefits and concerns regarding technology and ag data on his farm.

ASA Industry and Stakeholder Relations Manager Michelle Hummel provided an overview of the U.S. soybean family structure and how ASA works together with the United Soybean Board (USB), U.S. Soybean Export Council (USSEC) and state associations. Hummel also provided an overview of ASA’s top issues such as biotech, trade and sustainability.