Re-thinking the future of labour in Canadian agriculture

May 29, 2020

What do farmers have in common with high-tech solutions, software and data-driven results? Everything, according to a recent RBC report, Farmer 4.0: How the coming skills revolution can transform agriculture.

The report highlights how Canada needs to grab hold of “the internet of farming.” It points out that Canada’s agricultural sector could be valued at $11 billion by 2030. To achieve this, the report recommends a complete re-think to ag education and focus more on both young people and a growing pool of new Canadians.

It says there could be as many as a 123,000-worker shortage by 2030, which comes on the heels of a looming retirement explosion from baby boomers.

The report was written before the COVID-19 pandemic outbreak in March, which upended food production and processing, supply chains and consumer demands. The fluid situation continues to impact agriculture, especially the workforce, where temporary foreign workers face self-isolation protocols when entering the country prior to starting work.

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Video: Air Command Section Control for Pro-Force Spreaders

This patented section control system uses air to divert material on to different areas of the spinner disks for precise 4-section control, for an economical design by eliminating the need for added conveyor belts or movable spreader components. The section control uses the Raven RCM ISOBUS controller and a customer’s field boundary and coverage map to automatically turn off any of the four sections at any time to avoid applying valuable fertilizer in areas where it’s not needed.

This results in fertilizer savings which means more money in your pocket for a maximum Return On Investment. The powerful blower fan sends air through a 4-section manifold while the conveyor automatically speeds up or slows down as sections are turned on or off for consistent and precise fertilizer application.

• The revolutionary patented Air Command section control utilizes a pneumatic system to accurately place fertilizer onto the spinner disks to give you individualized 4-section control of your spread pattern.

• Pinpoint accuracy of four individual sections allows you to operate the system with ease. This robust design with few moving parts offers no gimmicks, just real-world results.

• The new Air Command section control option is available on pull-type models 2250 and 1850 with the new PTO drive system, and on 1450, 1250 and 1050 pull-type models with standard single hydraulics.

• Continue to do it all with the Unverferth pull-type Pro-Force Spreader. Use the Air Command section control for spreading fertilizer and in-seeding applications, while converting to single-section lime or litter application in a matter of minute