Aaron Sheller is a seventh generation family farmer in Noblesville, Ind., and his adoption curve of precision farming practices has been steep and fast. He's also co-owner of Precision Drone, a company that's developing crop-scouting unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) and information systems that interface with farm management programs.

Bodenhausen farms 2,300 acres near Muscotah, Kan., and also does custom field work for other farmers in northeastern Kansas. He's a proponent of banding fertilizer and will deep rip compacted soils as well as grain cart paths in the fall.

Nate Bonde farms with his two cousins, Gary and John Bonde near Nerstrand Minn. They've been increasingly using precision farming practices in their operation since 2008 when they switched from ridge-till for corn production to strip-till.

With $4 corn, the economics of precision farming take on increasing importance. More judicious fertilizer and seeding rates can reduce expenses, but the upfront cost of that equipment must first be figured into the equation.

Spanning two southern states, Blythe Cotton Co. relies on cutting-edge farm technology to stay connected and keep operators productive.