Welcome to the future of farming! New technologies are constantly being developed, so there’s always something brand new in agricultural equipment. If you’re a farmer or someone interested in how farms work, you’ll want to know what the latest trends are. This guide will break them down for you.
So what are the top trends in agricultural equipment? Read on to find out!
1. Agricultural Drones
The use of drones for farming is becoming increasingly popular. Drones can be used to monitor crops, help determine which areas need more fertilizer, or even assist with crop dusting.
They are beneficial for ensuring that large fields are evenly sprayed with pesticides, saving money on products, and ensuring there isn’t an over-application issue.
2. Tractors With Many Wheels
Traditionally, tractors come equipped with two tires in the front and back to give them traction and keep them from flipping. However, a new type of tractor coming out has six wheels to provide extra stability.
This is especially useful for industrial farms with huge fields with few obstacles or for tractors that need to navigate rough terrain.
3. Compressed Air Systems
Many industrial compressors come as attachments for farm equipment such as tractors and combines.
These air compressors can be used in place of a traditional generator to run tools or power fans, giving farmers one less thing to have to worry about when they’re working on the go.
4. Sensors & Cameras
Putting sensors on equipment is a great way to reduce waste and save money over time by making sure you’re using your machines to their fullest potential.
Sensors may be placed on your dairy equipment to monitor how much milk each cow is producing, enabling you to keep track of which cows are not giving as much as others.
Cameras can also be used for this purpose by constantly monitoring the udders and teats for signs that a cow needs assistance with milking or is ill.
5. Tractors With Autonomous Capabilities
Earlier in our list, we discussed the use of drones for farming purposes. Experimental technology is being developed now that allows tractors themselves to fly unmanned via GPS control.
This has many benefits, but one of the most important is safety; the farmer always knows where his tractor is operating and doesn’t have to worry about it getting into trouble if the driver isn’t available.
6. Alternative Energy
Farming is a demanding job, especially for those who own large farms with many acres of land. Alternative energy has been a top trend in agricultural equipment since 2012.
Now more than ever, farmers are turning to wind power to reduce costs and decrease dependence on the electric grid. Of course, this isn’t feasible all across the board, but it can be used very successfully with smaller plots that would not have been able to support traditional solar or wind farm options.
7. Early Detection
One of the most important things about farming is making sure your crop or herd is healthy. Fortunately, there are several new technologies available for this purpose. For example, the developed technology uses high-resolution cameras to identify which cows have mastitis and need assistance with milking.
Other sensors can tell when a cow isn’t eating properly due to illness, helping to catch issues early, so they don’t become big problems later on.
8. GPS Tracking
GPS used to be a luxury for shipping companies, but now it’s also being applied to farming. For example, GPS tracking can provide real-time location data of the equipment you’re using, which helps with keeping tabs on maintenance time and ensuring that equipment is being used as efficiently as possible.
Agricultural drones are another excellent application for this technology because they may not have a signal if their batteries die, or they crash.
9. Sensors In The Soil
One of the most important aspects of any successful farm operation is soil quality and crop yields. Farmers have been working very hard in fields with scientific sensors for years now so that they can monitor what nutrients their crops need before harvesting them and applying fertilizer ahead of time.
This saves money in the long run because it ensures that the soil will have maximum absorption of nutrients, so less fertilizer is wasted.
10. Improved Storage Systems
Sensors are also being applied to our storage systems, allowing farmers to track temperature and humidity changes in their silos or refrigerators more efficiently than ever before.
These technologies will enable them to monitor how many times a product has been used from storage and when it should be thrown out. In conjunction with the temperature monitoring, that information lets them know when items need to be rotated for maximum freshness over time.
In conclusion, there’s always something new coming out in the world of farming. If you’re interested in improving your productivity as a farmer, upgrading your equipment can be one of the best things you can do for yourself and your business.
