The agricultural industry is always looking for new ways to harness the power of technology. There are some technologies that are essential for the industry to function properly though. Read on to find out more about those vital technologies.
Crop Sensors
Ground and crop sensors have changed agriculture a lot over the past five years or so. They are used to monitor crops around the clock, alerting the farmer when changes need to be made. These changes could mean giving the crops more water, for example. They are also able to monitor the health of the crops and highlight any concerns or potential dangers. The sensors can also track the features of the soil, which is essential for healthy crops. All in all, this technology allows farmers to improve the quality of their yield.
RFID Technology
Radio frequency identification technology is used to transfer data, and in farming it’s used to tag animals. The livestock needs to be tracked and tagged so that farmers can easily identify them. The tag contains information that’s stored electronically. It’s a very simple process, but it’s vital to the day to day running of a farm. The technology is starting to be used in a broader way now though. It’s being used to tag and monitor crops, as opposed to simply livestock.
Ducting
Grain dust is the type of dust that’s created during the harvesting, drying and handling process of various crops. Wheat, barley and oats all create this dust when harvested. There are serious health risks associated with exposure to this dust. So, having a modern ducting system, like that made by nordfab ducting, is essential. Employers must adequately protect employees from these risks. Ducting helps to quickly remove the agricultural dust before it has the chance to cause any health problems to people nearby.
Agricultural Robots
Small automated robots are already being used on many farms across the world. This is part of a much larger transformation of the workforce that is going on at the moment. As robotic technology becomes more advanced and cheaper, it seems that they will continue to replace humans in manual jobs. This is a good thing for farmers in the short-term because it means that they will be able to employ fewer people. Robots are already being used as fruit pickers. But, in the long-term, it could cause problems as unemployment will rise.
Drones
The best way for farmers to quickly get an idea of the quality of the ground is to use a drone. These can be flown above the land quickly and easily. The best ones are fitted with infrared cameras that can pinpoint where the most fertile areas of land are. They can also pick up on any problems on the land, such as flooding and waterlogging. This is a great way for farmers to get an overview of their land without having to spend a long time looking at the land by themselves. As they become more affordable, they’re being used more and more.
