Yuma Agricultural Center Partners with RDO for Precision Agriculture

Richard Alias, Vice President at RDO, highlighted that the Yuma Agricultural Center at the University of Arizona offers advanced agricultural equipment, technology, and training solutions.

Samuel Discusa, farm director at the center, expressed his enthusiasm, noting, “This is a game changer for us and for students at the university’s AG Research Center. Learning from data-driven insights provided by these connected tractors and planters, as well as RDO’s team expertise, is invaluable.”

Discusa mentioned that this partnership enables YAC to upgrade its machinery, which has been in use for over two decades across its 500 acres of test fields. The center aims to transform into a “smart farm,” aligning with RDO’s commitment to assisting farmers in optimizing their operations to better meet global food demands.

Arias added that the contract ensures the center has access to a tractor for daily operations during designated times. “As a leader in agricultural progress in our region, it’s essential that our equipment meets customer needs and supports our research objectives,” he said.

YAC stands out in the region for its agricultural research, particularly in the testing of experimental pesticides, herbicides, and fertilizers, working towards more effective pest management and water conservation. RDO team members, including product specialist Saul Amezquita, provide hands-on training to students using connected tractors and modern agricultural equipment for activities like planting and spraying.

Maria Zepeda, an agriculture scholar at RDO in Yuma, mentioned, “YAC not only aids current local farmers with practical chemistry research but also trains the next generation with precision agricultural tools.” This spring, several experts from RDO equipped students with training on equipment such as the Monosem Planter and DJI Agras T50 drones.

She also shared that in the upcoming season, students, YAC leaders, and RDO team members will collaborate on lettuce field trials.

Arias reiterated RDO’s commitment to local farmers, emphasizing their role in advancing services and support that help identify effective growth practices in the region. “We’ll create a dataset to aid our users in making informed decisions through collaborative trials with customers,” he said.

According to Discusa, this partnership boosts YAC’s capabilities, increasing local farmers’ access to cutting-edge testing equipment. “We aim to provide farmers with the opportunity to engage with new equipment and technology,” he stated, adding that they hope many will choose to collaborate, fostering new techniques to grow vital crops like lettuce for consumers nationwide.