Agriculture and Advancing Technology

I don't know about you all, but I am proud of how agriculture is continually advancing practices and incorporating new technology. This week, we are diving more into that topic by exploring how California farmers are incorporating technology into their operations.

You can check out the full story below, but just a quick reminder that if you enjoy reading trending ag news topics, then join the monthly newsletter for Discover Ag as I will be moving over there to better connect with you all.?

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This Week in Agriculture

California farmers have been struggling with increased costs of operation, labor, and fertilizer while commodity prices remain stagnant. Smart technology, such as "drone tractors," could be the solution for those who can afford the up-front investment. These programmable and remote-controlled drones are gaining popularity for their precision in spraying, watering, and seeding. According to Hylio, a Texas-based company specializing in "AgroDrones," their drones use 1/10th of the water of traditional irrigation systems. However, these drones can be costly, ranging from $1,500 to $300,000 per unit, which can be out of reach for small and medium-sized farms. Large corporate operations have been using the technology for several years, but the high price point is a limiting factor for many farmers.

The Colusa Farm Show in Colusa County showcased various innovative agricultural technologies, such as fully autonomous farming vehicles and smart sprayers. Robert Myre of Myre Distributing noted that targeted sprayers can reduce chemical use by 50% after one use, saving farmers money while limiting the number of chemicals in surrounding water systems and crops. These technologies offer long-term cost-saving benefits, which could be essential as farmers adapt to climate change and potential droughts in the future.

Kurt George, the vice president of Business Development for Hylio, stated that autonomous farming is where the agriculture industry is headed. Hylio's AgroDrone first came on the market five years ago, and since then, their product has gained popularity in California. California farmers are at a tipping point, and the combination of workforce reduction with COVID and water reduction through droughts have pushed them over the edge, according to George. As such, technologies like the AgroDrone could be a critical tool for farmers to adapt to these challenges.

Devin Bower, an almond grower, stated that the cost of this technology can be a challenge for small and medium-sized farms, limiting what they can do. But large farms that are more financially secure can easily adapt to new technologies. As the technology becomes more affordable and easier to produce, it may eventually become more accessible for mid-size and small growing businesses.

Are you open to adding technology like this to your operation? Leave a comment below!

To read the full story, you can find it here; https://www.kcra.com/article/californias-agriculture-big-tech-farming-expenses-soar/43185961

Let’s Discover Ag

On this week’s show, Nat and Tara have a special advocacy episode today with the team from Case IH and they plan to cover several topics including, What is Autonomy and Precision Technology Operation Labor and Autonomy Sustainability and Autonomy What Can a Self Driving Tractor Do. Tune in below!

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Advocacy Resource

Greenhouse-gas emissions from dairy cows have shown a decline globally during a 10-year period, a new study has found. The study was launched by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations and the Global Dairy Platform, the report is entitled “Climate Change and the Global Dairy Cattle Sector.” During a 10-year period from 2005 to 2015, the study calculated greenhouse-gas emissions from the dairy sector and found reductions in all regions of the world. The sharing of technical knowledge with all dairy economies is fundamental to maintaining the sector’s continuous improvement ambitions at a global level.?

To read more, you can find it here: https://agupdate.com/agriview/news/business/efficiency-reduces-greenhouse-gas-emissions/article_2ef75faa-eb48-58f2-9796-2c3bbb4cdc11.html

Thank you for being here and if there’s something you’d like to hear opinions on or learn more about, you can find me on Instagram at @TaraVanderDussen or feel free to join the conversation on the Discover Ag Instagram. Just a reminder, if you like the content I share here, then make sure to sign up for the Discover Ag newsletter for once-a-month emails about trending topics in agriculture!?