Technology is changing how farming is handled on big and smaller farms around the world. Today we have diesel power farming equipment, crop monitoring, data analytics, drones, and smart technology. We will discuss these changes and show how tech companies will change farming in the future.
Diesel Powered Farming Equipment
Most farm equipment is powered by diesel fuel and about two-thirds of farming equipment is diesel powered. Many crops are delivered by diesel-powered trucks that transport food across many states. Trains and barges that carry crops are powered by diesel fuel too. There is no substitute for the efficiency of diesel-powered equipment in the farming industry. Their machines plant the crops, water, fertilize and care for the crops, harvest them, and transport them to market.
Diesel fuel provides about 10% to 15% more energy than gasoline and can go 20% to 35% further on a gallon than gasoline. Diesel-powered farm tractors with irrigation systems and harvesting capacity have become the focal point or workhorse of the farming industry. Today, we have the cleanest diesel engines ever produced that use biodiesel fuels.
Smart Crop Monitoring and Growing
Farmers can now collect data on soil conditions, weather, and other useful information to help manage crops more effectively. This is done a small scale at this time, but in the future, because of high tech companies, it has the potential to be used for large farms and monitoring fields. Remote sensors and aerial vehicles like drones can check soil conditions, temperature, plant health, and send this info back to farmers to make changes in their routine. Sensors on farming equipment provide farmers with information about how their crops are growing as they work in the fields. With this information, farmers can make decisions about how to manage problems that arise in the growing season. This data can be applied to locating the best locations to plant crops, when to plant, and how to care for them.
Technology in the floral industry has led growers to be able to grow flowers in greenhouses using computer-monitored systems all year round. Software programs have led to better control over the selection of flowers and control over growth and quality. You can order some flowers directly from the grower and get fresh flowers from their greenhouse. In 2019, over 250 million roses were produced for Valentine’s Day, proving that tech has transformed the floral industry too. They can produce more quality flowers all year long than ever before.
Data Analytics
The access to data using software and monitoring equipment helps farmers to improve their farming techniques. It has improved productivity and the ability to grow more food and, with the added resources, resolve problems before they occur. Monitoring environmental conditions that cause changes in weather gives farmers a chance to prepare for unexpected occurrences. They can find ways to cope with extreme weather, droughts, and insect infestation due to data collection and analytics. It helps agricultural businesses make good decisions on what to grow, pricing, and marketing their products. It can help them find new markets to sell their products to. This data helps improve the supply chain management of delivery and storage of food until it reaches the consumer. In 2020, there were over 2 million farms in existence, making tech an important part of the future.
Drones and Computer Driven Equipment
Drones have been used to spray crops for a few decades and now are being used to survey crops and farm animals and provide information to farmers. In fact, they are now surveying larger areas and relaying information to companies and suppliers. Drones can be used to deliver fertilizer, pesticides or nutrients to the soil when needed. With GPS and self-driving equipment, farmers can one day operate a variety of farm equipment from a computer without leaving the house, giving them time to devote to other issues. Connectivity will help farmers all over the globe provide better crops and food for consumers.
Big tech will help the farming industry in the future become more efficient and successful in growing crops. This will improve crop production, distribution, and farming equipment.
