Farmers have always been innovators. Sometimes you’re out in the middle of nowhere and need to make an unexpected repair, but you don’t have the right tools. Not a problem for a farmer. In a pinch, you can make something else work for you 9 times out of 10.
Farmers are also great at adopting new technology. Nowadays tools on many farms and ranches are very sophisticated. From tractors that drive themselves to cows that text, the modern farmer’s toolbox contains a host of cool toys.
Farmers are also great at adopting new technology. Nowadays tools on many farms and ranches are very sophisticated. From tractors that drive themselves to cows that text, the modern farmer’s toolbox contains a host of cool toys.
Here are 6 of the most advanced agricultural technologies employed today:
1. Tractors on autopilot
Thanks to GPS tractors, combines, sprayers and more can accurately drive themselves through the field. After the user has told the onboard computer system how wide a path a given piece of equipment will cover he will drive a short distance setting A & B points to make a line. Then the GPS system will have a track to follow and it extrapolates that line into parallel lines set apart by the width of the tool in use.
Thanks to GPS tractors, combines, sprayers and more can accurately drive themselves through the field. After the user has told the onboard computer system how wide a path a given piece of equipment will cover he will drive a short distance setting A & B points to make a line. Then the GPS system will have a track to follow and it extrapolates that line into parallel lines set apart by the width of the tool in use.
2. Swath control and variable rate technology
Building on GPS technology is swath control and VRT. This is where guidance really begins to show a return on investment. Swath control is just what it sounds like. The farmer is controlling the size of the swath a given piece of equipment takes through the field. This video is a great visual representation of how swath control works.
Building on GPS technology is swath control and VRT. This is where guidance really begins to show a return on investment. Swath control is just what it sounds like. The farmer is controlling the size of the swath a given piece of equipment takes through the field. This video is a great visual representation of how swath control works.
The savings come from using fewer inputs like seed, fertilizer, herbicides, etc. Since the size and shapes of fields are irregular you are bound to overlap to some extent in every application. Thanks to GPS mapping the equipment in the field already knows where it has been. Swath control shuts off sections of the applicator as it enters the overlap area, saving the farmer from applying twice the inputs on the same piece of ground.
3. Your tractor is calling
Telematics is being touted as the next big thing in ag. This technology allows equipment to talk to farmers, equipment dealers, and even other equipment. Imagine you have a problem in the field and have to stop working. With telematics, your dealer can access the onboard diagnostic system of your tractor. Depending on the problem they might be able to fix your equipment right from the dealer. No waiting on a mechanic to drive out to wherever you might be. You’re back to work, and the dealer saved a trip too. Farmers will be able to keep track of what field equipment is in, fuel consumption, operating hours, and much more. Personally, I’ve noticed on our farm as we become more technologically advanced our downtime is often caused by electrical, software, or hardware problems as opposed to mechanical.
Telematics is being touted as the next big thing in ag. This technology allows equipment to talk to farmers, equipment dealers, and even other equipment. Imagine you have a problem in the field and have to stop working. With telematics, your dealer can access the onboard diagnostic system of your tractor. Depending on the problem they might be able to fix your equipment right from the dealer. No waiting on a mechanic to drive out to wherever you might be. You’re back to work, and the dealer saved a trip too. Farmers will be able to keep track of what field equipment is in, fuel consumption, operating hours, and much more. Personally, I’ve noticed on our farm as we become more technologically advanced our downtime is often caused by electrical, software, or hardware problems as opposed to mechanical.
4. Your cow is calling too
And it’s not saying “Moo!” Collars developed for livestock are helping producers keep track of their herds. Sensors in the collar send information to a rancher’s smartphone giving the rancher a heads up on where a cow might be, or maybe she’s in some sort of distress, or maybe just in the mood for some mating. I suppose you could say it’s kind of like telematics for cows!
RFID tags are also a handy device for livestock management. The information kept on a tag helps producers keep track of individual animals, speeding up and making record keeping more precise. I recently read about RFID tags placed into hay as it is baled. Data such as moisture and weight can be stored in the tag to be scanned later.
And it’s not saying “Moo!” Collars developed for livestock are helping producers keep track of their herds. Sensors in the collar send information to a rancher’s smartphone giving the rancher a heads up on where a cow might be, or maybe she’s in some sort of distress, or maybe just in the mood for some mating. I suppose you could say it’s kind of like telematics for cows!
RFID tags are also a handy device for livestock management. The information kept on a tag helps producers keep track of individual animals, speeding up and making record keeping more precise. I recently read about RFID tags placed into hay as it is baled. Data such as moisture and weight can be stored in the tag to be scanned later.
5. Irrigate via smartphone
Mobile tech is playing a big role in monitoring and controlling crop irrigation systems. With the right equipment, a farmer can control his irrigation systems from a phone or computer instead of driving to each field. Moisture sensors on the ground are able to communicate information about the level of moisture present at certain depths in the soil. This increased flexibility allows for more precise control of water and other inputs like fertilizer that are applied by irrigation pivots. Farmers can also combine this with other techs like VRT mentioned earlier to control the rate of water applied. It’s all about more effective and efficient use of resources. I read a magazine article recently where a farmer stated that because of these technologies his total water usage is now less than what he was wasting previously.
Mobile tech is playing a big role in monitoring and controlling crop irrigation systems. With the right equipment, a farmer can control his irrigation systems from a phone or computer instead of driving to each field. Moisture sensors on the ground are able to communicate information about the level of moisture present at certain depths in the soil. This increased flexibility allows for more precise control of water and other inputs like fertilizer that are applied by irrigation pivots. Farmers can also combine this with other techs like VRT mentioned earlier to control the rate of water applied. It’s all about more effective and efficient use of resources. I read a magazine article recently where a farmer stated that because of these technologies his total water usage is now less than what he was wasting previously.
6. Sensing how your crop is feeling
Crop sensors. This is taking variable rate technology to the next level. Instead of making a prescription fertilizer map for a field before you go out to apply it, crop sensors tell application equipment how much to apply in real time. Optical sensors are able to see how much fertilizer a plant may need based on the amount of light reflected back to the sensor. I haven’t seen one of these systems in operation yet, but I’m keeping a close eye on them. It’s fairly new and pretty expensive, but I see huge potential here. Crop sensors are going to help farmers apply fertilizer in a very effective manner, maximizing uptake and reducing potential leaching and runoff into groundwater.
Crop sensors. This is taking variable rate technology to the next level. Instead of making a prescription fertilizer map for a field before you go out to apply it, crop sensors tell application equipment how much to apply in real time. Optical sensors are able to see how much fertilizer a plant may need based on the amount of light reflected back to the sensor. I haven’t seen one of these systems in operation yet, but I’m keeping a close eye on them. It’s fairly new and pretty expensive, but I see huge potential here. Crop sensors are going to help farmers apply fertilizer in a very effective manner, maximizing uptake and reducing potential leaching and runoff into groundwater.
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