(NAPSA)—According to the Census Bureau,there are 3.2 million farmers op- erating 2.1 million farms covering 915 million acres. Each U.S. farmer, reports the Farm Journal Foundation, produces enough food to feed 155 people and is the leading producer of more than 50 foods of importance to diets throughout the world. How They Do It Fortunately, farmers don’t have to do it all alone. They get big help in this from sophisticated technologies such as robots, temperature and moisture sen- sors, aerial images, and GPS technolo- gy. These advanced devices and precision agriculture and robotic systemslet farmers be moreprofitable, efficient, saf- er, and more environmentally friendly. For example, as the Department of Agriculture reports, farmers no longer have to apply water, fertilizers and pesticides uniformly acrossentirefields. Instead, they can use the minimum quan- tities required and target very specific areas, or even treat individual plants dif- ferently. Benefits include: Higher crop productivity e Decreased use of water, fertilizer and pesticides, which in turn keeps food prices down Reduced impact on natural ecosystems e Less runoff of chemicals into rrs and groundwater Increased workersafety. Robotic technologies enable more reliable monitoring and management of natural resources, such as air and water quality. They also mean more control over plant and animal production, pro- cessing, distribution and storage, which results in: Greaterefficiencies and lowerprices Safer growing conditions andsafer foods Reduced environmental and ecological impact. Utility vehicles are a popular tool on the farm due to the efficiency, ease of maintenance and maneuverability they Today’s robotic and automot advances help American farmers provide food andfiber to the world. offer. To makefarm life (as well as hunting and recreation) even better, there is now a new and improvedversion of the best-selling utility side-by-side (SxS) of all time. More than 100 owner-inspired innovations make the new RANGER XP 1000 the hardest-working, smooth- est-riding version everbuilt. A powerful ProStar 1000 engine and 82 horsepowerprovide unmatched power and more towing capacity for an industry-leading 2,500 Ibs. (1,134 kgs) to powerthrough the toughestfarm tasks. A mass front bumper and fullbodyskid plate g it added protection, whether in the barn, out in the brush or traversing tough trails. An all-new dumping cargo box carries 11.5 percent more volume and has welded steel cornersfor increased stiffness to get the job done quicker and faster. For precision handling, the vehicle has a reduced steering ratio and provides a tighter turning radius, making it ideal for traversing fields or maneuvering in tight spaces. Meanwhile, the Polaris engine braking system (EBS) ensures smooth, controlled descents on steep inclines with or without a load. It comes in Sage Green, Sunset Red, Suede Metallic, Matte Titanium Metallic and Polaris Pursuit Camo. Learn More For further facts, visit www.Polaris. com.
