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Adjustments can then be made via software inputs to
alter the farm equipment’s performance to ensure best
results are achievable.
The telematics aka precision farming technique uses
sensors, antenna, access points, automation and
control systems to create analyzable data, which
is then applied via technologies such as robotics,
automation and bioengineering. Voila! Precision ag
technology.
Quite naturally, the Global Precision Farming Market
2021-2028 report states that agriculture equipment
companies expect telematics adoption to only increase
and to drive the market moving forward.
The report says that increased applications of
telematics will further drive the demand for more
precision farming. It cited the Global Navigation
Satellite System (GNSS) being used as being a great
way for precision ag farmers to track the positioning
of the machinery et al as a key management tool to
ensure a larger crop yield is attainable while wasting
fewer costly resources such as fuel usage, or by better
distribution of seed, water, herbicides or fertilizers.
From start-ups to well-established major firms,
agriculture equipment manufacturers are utilizing
telematics services to help their customers achieve
better farming efficiency.
According to a recent report from the
Association of Equipment Manufacturers
(AEM), American farmers using precision
ag technologies gained:
•
4 percent increase in crop production
•
7 percent reduction in fertilizer usage
•
9 percent reduction in herbicide application
•
6 percent reduction in fossil fuel required
•
4 percent reduction in water use
It’s a farm management tool that uses information
technology to provide a farmer with better assurances
of crop health and productivity.
While your performance may vary relative to the
reductions in environmental impact regarding
fertilizer, herbicide, fuel and water usage,
farmers employing telematics will also
achieve cost savings.
While we can not state that you will see crop
production rise—we are slaves to weather, after all—
precision ag telematics dictates that yield increases are
in the forecast.
Using precision ag technology—such as an
autonomous (no-human driver required) vehicle,
farmers will be able to apply seed perfectly in a field,
as well as to properly apply just the right amount of
plant care items to give you a chance to produce a
larger crop over the entire field. By using the precision
ag technology, farmers will be able to move their
equipment effectively to ensure fuel usage is spent
judiciously.
Technology-wise, several platforms exist that provide
access to near real-time weather conditions in a
farmer’s region and across the province, and to
see accurate and timely daily and hourly forecasts.
Farmers can analyze their field history of tillage and
agronomic information to plan for the planting and
growing season, with the ability to share data with their
agronomist, ag-retail seed or chemical representatives.
And then there’s drones—drone technology is taking
off.
We’re not talking about those old remote-controlled
airplanes and helicopters here—we’re talking about
drones decked with technology and operated with
software specific to the ag industry.
Use of drone technology will offer a farmer many
different things to contemplate. There are already quite
a few ag drone firms out there, with more expected
to enter the market over the next few years—with
anticipated newer and different technologies.
Canadian firm TerraNova UAV said its UAVs (unmanned
aerial vehicles aka drones) use special cameras
and software to provide real-time insights on crop
hydration, level of vegetation development and
sanitary conditions. The ground-level operator will
later present a full report or analysis of the inspected
area allowing the farmer to provide timely irrigation,
fertilization and sanitary treatments.
PHOTO: Maxger/iStock/Getty Images Plus