The Technology Race in ON - Is Your Operation Ready?

Over the past five to eight years, agriculture has been experiencing a major shift in the acceptance and application of technology within our industry. This revolution, if you will, has been primary led by machinery manufactures that have been bringing exciting new products to growers.

Think back to the late model tractor or combine cab that you sat in as a kid. Now flash forward and picture of the modern tractor or combine cabs that you own or see at tradeshows. What is the major difference? The most noticeable difference would be technology, or the lack there of in the late models. Unlike a few years ago, these rigs can now do just about anything.

It used to be state-of-the-art to have an AutoSteer system—now we have telematics. Telematics is the use of technological devices to transmit information over long distances. Telematics allow you to remotely monitor and manage your equipment in real-time. This can include the basic location of equipment, monitoring the harvest date, or even trouble shooting with a service department. Telmatics allows us to monitor machinery in ways never seen before in farm equipment.

I have been around telematics since it first emerged in 2011 from the “Green Line” of equipment. Its major benefit to growers is the increased uptime for both the producer and the machinery dealer. If you haven’t seen this technology you really should have a demonstration of how these systems work. Other brands and companies will have telematics also so don’t worry.

The Technology Leap

Most people want to break into the new agriculture technology scene, but are not sure where to start or are intimidated by the multitude of choices available. My advice—get the basics as soon as possible!

Start slow. Beyond a smart phone, a tablet is a must have. There are many brand and price-point options out there for a tablet. I prefer the iPad version by Apple. The best thing about an iPad is even the most inexperienced user can learn to run one. Why iPad? Very simple, they just work. The ag industry has accepted this technology whole-heartedly, and is a common device in the cabs of tractors and combines. If you have a tablet, it’s important that you use it to it’s full potential. If you need help just ask the companies you do business with.

The use of cameras, both video and still, is one of the latest crazies among growers. We live in a society of not wanting to miss anything—and the use of cameras in, on, and around (see Unmanned Aerial Systems below) allows us to connected with people within and outside the ag industry. I would guess that it would not be long before tiny cameras are standard options on our large equipment. Most dealers offer cameras to add to any equipment regardless of age. Many tractor, combine, and sprayer’s display screens have the ability to add a camera to your equipment, and have it displayed on the OEM display. Most cameras are “triggered” based on the function you are doing.

Training, Training, Training

All machinery built in the last five years was designed with loads of technology—and most of us are not taking advantage of it. Don’t be afraid to ask you local dealer to help you and your operators understand how these new systems work. Most companies have someone on staff that is the technology expert; in most cases this technology will make you and your operation more efficient. 

What’s next?

Have you seen or heard about Google Glass? Google Glass is a wearable computer with an optical head-mounted display (OHMD)—a tiny computer that looks like a pair of glasses. Google developed it with the mission of producing a mass-market ever-present computer. Google Glass displays information in a smartphone-like hands-free format.^*

What about Unmanned Aerial Systems? These little flying machines are about to show our crops in ways we’ve never seen before. You will see a major shift to this technology this year to a field near you. Don't be afraid to learn about it, the costs are not very high to get the benefits. 

When you think about what has happened in the last five to eight years it’s hard to say what’s coming. But understand this, technology will be leading the way.

*definition from google.com