Utilizing Precision Technology and Robots to Increase Crop Yields
In the ever-evolving world of agriculture, technological innovation has led to improved crop yields, reduced farming inputs, and higher rates of sustainable farming practices. Particularly, precision technology and robotics have dramatically transformed the farming landscape, creating new possibilities for cost savings and environmental-friendliness.
According to Precedence Research, the global precision farming market size was estimated at USD 9.31 billion in 2022 and is projected to surpass around USD 26.8 billion by 2030.
This article explores how these advancements, ranging from drones to autonomous farm equipment, aerial imagery, and GPS, are enabling farmers to reduce input costs, maximize crop yields, and meet customer demands. With the rising input costs, farmers expect these investments to yield higher returns, maintaining a balance between production costs and the prices their products command in the retail market.
GPS and Yield Mapping Systems
Tractor guidance systems using GPS can help farmers gather information on changing field conditions to adjust production practices. This technology allows farmers to reduce input costs by minimizing overlaps and skips in planting, fertilizing, and spraying.
For example, the Trimble Autopilot™ system is an automated tractor guidance solution that utilizes GPS technology to navigate and steer tractors to eliminate manual steering of the vehicle. This technology helps farmers save time and increase accuracy in production, resulting in increased crop yields.
Similarly, GPS yield and soil monitors and maps can help farmers identify areas of their fields that are underperforming and adjust their practices accordingly. That means farmers can improve crop yields by optimizing inputs such as fertilizer and water.
According to the University of Nebraska-Lincoln Institute of Agriculture and Natural Resources, "Yield maps represent the output of crop production. On one hand, this information can be used to investigate the existence of spatially variable yield-limiting factors. On the other hand, the yield history can be used to define spatially variable yield goals that may allow varying inputs according to expected field productivity."
Longer yield histories, typically more than five years, are the most effective for investigating environmental factors affecting crop yields and identifying prescriptions for achieving yield goals.
Autonomous Farm Equipment
Autonomous farm equipment is quickly becoming a useful tool for farmers seeking to reduce input costs. Usage of these robotic machines can eliminate unnecessary travel throughout the field, resulting in increased efficiency.
For example, autonomous walkers for vineyards have been developed to identify grapevine issues such as diseases and pest infestations. This technology helps farmers to quickly identify yield-reducing problems, allowing them to take quick action and address these issues before their crops are damaged.
Autonomous tractors are also being used to reduce labor costs and even address labor shortages as well. For example, autonomous John Deere combines, which can drive themselves from the field to the storage facility, have been developed and are gaining in popularity among farmers who need to maximize efficiency and cost savings.
Drones and Aerial Imagery
Farming drones have been widely used in recent years to gather aerial imagery and data on crop health, soil conditions, and even weed problems. While drones are initially expensive investments, they can greatly reduce input costs by helping farmers identify areas of their fields that need attention and take quick action before the problem gets worse.
For example, using drone-mounted multispectral cameras during the growing season allows farmers to monitor crop health, identify nutrient deficiencies, and detect pest issues. This helps farmers optimize their inputs and maximize yields while reducing input costs.
Furthermore, drones can also be used to monitor soil moisture levels as well as create detailed maps of a farm's topography that can be used to adjust irrigation schedules accordingly.
Variable-Rate Application (VRA) Technologies
VRA technology allows farmers to apply inputs such as fertilizer and pesticides at variable rates across their fields, based on the specific needs of each area. This technology can help farmers reduce input costs by avoiding over-application of inputs in areas that don't need them, while also improving crop yields in areas that do.
Most VRA solutions come in the form of automated machinery, such as tractors and sprayers that can be programmed to apply inputs in specific areas. By utilizing GPS technology, these machines can accurately apply a variety of inputs in the most efficient way possible.
Specialized Software and Analytics Technology
Precision agriculture technology requires special equipment and software to collect and analyze all the information. Since precision agriculture technology uses hardware and software, specialists are needed to implement them for farmers to leverage solutions like drones, automated equipment, and VRA tools.
Specialized applications like Bushel Farm, Granular Insights (Corteva), Conservis, and Trimble provide technology solutions as well as analytics services to assist farmers. These companies offer a variety of vital services that include weather tracking and forecasting, crop planning and monitoring, soil analysis, drone mapping, adaptive irrigation scheduling, risk management strategies, and more.
Leverage the Latest Precision Farming Technologies
Precision farming technologies are constantly evolving, but there already exists a critical base of technologies that most farmers can use to optimize their operations. Implementing new systems like drones and automated machinery can take time. Often, it's best to partner with service providers to map out a plan for implementation and change management.
To learn more about how you can utilize precision farming technologies, don't miss the Smart Harvesting Summit on cultivating precision, yield, and sustainability with farmer-driven innovation. It’s happening at the Rancho Bernardo Inn in San Diego, California from February 21 to 22, 2024.