Contact: Eric Edgington (202) 690-2539
Eric.Edgington@rma.usda.gov

Washington, November 24, 1999--Risk Management Agency (RMA) Administrator Ken Ackerman announced USDA support for the use of the geographic imaging systems/global positioning systems (GIS/GPS) to measure insured acreage. USDA is second only to the Department of Defense in using satellite data, mainly to forecast crops worldwide.

"Many producers are way ahead of us in using this technology," said Ackerman. "GPS technology provides them the information they need to customize their farming practices. Up until now, RMA has only used the satellite imaging data that assesses crop damage from natural disasters like Hurricane Floyd. Wider use of this technology will increase the accuracy of acreage reporting."

Two companies selling Federal crop insurance have already started selected use of the technology. Others are investigating its use.