Agricultural technology has changed farming as we know it over the years. It has allowed farmers to grow crops and raise livestock with much greater efficiency and saved them time and money by automating some of their most time-consuming tasks. Farmers are using these technologies to increase crop yields and feed more people around the world. As well as solve major environmental problems associated with agriculture and improve animal welfare on farms. Here’s a list of the top agricultural technologies that are changing farming today.
Top Agricultural Technologies That Changing Farming
1) GPS
GPS is a global positioning system that was originally developed for military use. Farmers can attach a GPS to their tractors, combine harvesters or any other equipment that’s doing work on the farm. With the help of GPS technology, these pieces of equipment can be tracked and monitored in real-time for things like fuel consumption and engine health.
Some newer models even come with sensors to monitor soil conditions and determine where crops need to be watered before they wither from the heat. GPS has made it possible for farmers to spend less time walking around their land looking for lost equipment and more time planting crops or tending to livestock.
2) Weather tracking
Farmers have been using meteorological data for decades to make farming decisions. Today, weather tracking technology has become so advanced that the impact of weather on agriculture can be predicted in advance. This is a huge deal for farmers because it allows them to save both time and money by making more informed decisions about planting, harvesting, and managing livestock. But how exactly do these tools work?
When farmers predict the impact of any given weather event on their crops or livestock, they’ll consult a variety of sources that provide localized forecasts. One such source is NOAA’s Weather Prediction Service (WPS). This service provides detailed information about upcoming events, including temperature, precipitation amounts, and wind speed.
3) Virtual fences
Virtual fences replace traditional fencing and allow farmers to remotely monitor their livestock, record data, and control access. The system is solar-powered, which means no new infrastructure needs to be built or maintained. It also has a large range so animals can roam freely and not be restricted by a physical fence. Virtual fences provide vital information on the health of animals, such as heart rate, weight gain, and pregnancy status. With this information, farmers can make adjustments to their feeding practices that could save them time and money in the long run.
4) Farm Management Software
Farm management software gives farmers the ability to track their crops, manage inventory, and create reports. This type of software is used by many large farms around the world. The most popular type of farm management software is called ERP (enterprise resource planning) software, which is a suite of programs that usually includes accounting, inventory control, and production tracking.
5) Sprayers & Fertilizers
Sprayers and fertilizers are two of the most common technologies that farm owners use to increase their crop yield. Sprayers apply a coating to plants, which can be used for herbicide or pesticide protection. Fertilizers, on the other hand, add essential nutrients to the soil in order to improve crop production. Today’s farmers use many different types of sprayers and fertilizers, depending on their crops and the needs of those crops.
6) Predictive Analytics
Predictive analytics software is being used by farmers to analyze data and make better decisions. For example, instead of sending every cow in the herd to the veterinarian for an expensive health check, a farmer can use predictive analytics software to identify high-risk cows and only send those that need a visit to the vet.
The software helps farmers understand what their past investments have been worth, what has worked for them, and what hasn’t, so they can make better decisions about their farming practices going forward.
7) Robots
Robots have been a hot topic in agriculture lately. With their use, farmers can use less labor and be more efficient. They also help with planting decisions, pest management, fertilization, weed control, and harvesting. However, not all the robots out there are the same. There are two broad categories of robotic systems in agriculture: autonomous robotic systems and remotely-controlled robotic systems.
Autonomous robots make decisions on their own about where to go or what action to take; whereas remotely-controlled robots need instructions from someone else on what to do next.
Of course, there will always be challenges when it comes to using new technologies in farming.
How Technology Is Revolutionizing Agriculture?
Agriculture has come a long way over the years with many new inventions that have made farming more efficient. Some of these technologies include GPS, drones, and hydroponics. These new technologies allow farmers to be more aware of their fields while also saving time and money by using less water, fertilizer, and pesticides.
The use of technology in agriculture is a must as it provides many benefits that can increase crop yield while having a smaller impact on the environment. It is estimated that 60% of global crops rely on pollinators and they are struggling to keep up with demand. With the introduction of automated bee hives, this percentage could decrease drastically. Automated bee hives work without human intervention which reduces costs for farmers as well as being able to produce honey all year round without any loss in quality or quantity.
Drones give farmers a better understanding of how plants react to different weather conditions such as temperature, humidity, rain levels, etc., which will help them make better decisions when it comes to planting, harvesting, etc., this results in an increased production per acre while also reducing agricultural waste caused by plant diseases and pests.
The Benefits of Technology in Agriculture
Internet of Things (IoT)
Using sensors and real-time data, IoT has the potential to help farmers make better decisions about everything from irrigation to crop selection. This type of technology can also help farmers save money by reducing waste and improving efficiency.
Precision Agriculture
With the help of drones, satellite imagery, and GPS mapping, precision agriculture is helping growers produce more food with less land while minimizing their environmental footprint.
Artificial Intelligence (AI)
AI can help farmers make better decisions about pest control by predicting when and where they should spray based on weather patterns or other factors that could affect the plants’ health.
Robotic Automation
Robots have been replacing manual farm labor for years because they’re cheaper, faster, and don’t get tired. The rise in automation has given rise to a new profession: Agri botanist.
Vertical Farming
Rising urban populations mean people are living farther away from rural areas which means more transportation costs for fresh fruits and vegetables so vertical farming offers a solution because it takes up very little space compared to traditional farming methods which help to reduce the cost of transportation making fresh fruits and vegetables affordable for everyone
Drones
Drones offer many benefits like identifying pests in hard-to-reach areas without risking human life
Smartphone apps
Smartphone apps allow farmers to track livestock or monitor crops through augmented reality
Remote Sensing
Remote sensing has the potential to provide improved early detection of weeds and insects before they cause significant damage
Social Media Data
Social media data provides invaluable information about what consumers want including what types of fruit and vegetables they want to be grown locally
Synthetic Biology
Synthetic biology is being applied to all sectors of our lives. It’s using engineering principles and design processes in biology, but at a much larger scale than what we see today. Some goals include designing microbes that generate biofuels instead of eating them; designing organisms that consume CO2 instead of emitting it; creating synthetic organisms out of inanimate objects such as plastics; and adding biotechnology traits to your own genome
How Technology Is Used In Agriculture
Agriculture is one of the oldest industries in the world. These days, farmers have a lot more to contend with than just planting and harvesting. They’re also dealing with shrinking profit margins, climate change, and an ever-evolving global market.
Technology has been working to give agriculture a hand in these areas for years now. Farmers use technology in the form of information management systems, weather sensors, precision farming tools, data analytics, and much more to keep up with their changing environment. Here are some agricultural technologies that are changing farming: