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Carissa Kleinwort

Mrs. Goossens

Senior Seminar

20 March 2018

Technology in Agriculture

The advancement of technology has played a vital role throughout history, especially in

agriculture. With technology, crop yield have increased exponentially, and crops are able to

survive more extreme weather conditions. Livestock production and health records are more

easily stored, which leads to better reproduction and health. Agriculture depends on technology

to help keep accurate information and to help produce the best crops. Technology influences

efficiencies in food, fiber, and fuel production have led to improved qualities of lives throughout

the world.

Technology is everywhere in the world, including agriculture and has changed drastically

over time. In the 18th century, people used the technology of oxen or horses to help with labor-

intense jobs, especially in agriculture. The cotton gin, another technology used in agriculture,

was invented in 1793. The cotton gin separates the seeds from the fibers. Being able to do this

people allowed to be more efficient and get done faster (Bellis, 2017). Additionally, in the 19th

century, silos came into use. Silos helped store food for livestock. Steam tractors were also tried

out, but farmers still used horses or oxen. Tractors came into use in the 20th century. This made

harvesting, planting, and tillage of the soil easier allowing for increased yields. During the 1940s

frozen food technology had many advances (Bellis, 2017). Freezers gave producers the ability to

safely store the new surpluses gained through technologies like cotton gin, silos, and tractors.

Even, with all of the developing technology, a farmer must be able to keep accurate
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records. No matter how big the farmer’s operation is, keeping records will help them reach their

goal. New tools and software make this job easier. There are different reasons farmers keep

records. Taxes are one important reason to keep records. Tax liability depends on the profit,

expenses, and inventory. Another reason for record keeping is to obtain loan or grants. Farmers

may experience difficulties’ along the way, but records help with managing the farmer’s business

(Arcuri, 2017).

In today's world, there are drones flying through the air and robots milking cows. Drones

help detect disease and insect infestation in larger fields. Drones also help keep track of large

herds of livestock in a large pasture (Jennings, 2017). With a robotic milker, cows can be milked

whenever they want. This helps reduce the amount of stress on the cow (Varinkey, 2017). Less

stress on the cow means more production, thus the farmer has more milk to sell.

In this respect, the future of agricultural technology continues to evolve rapidly. Farmers

will have animal trackers come into use. These devices help track the animal's health. They will

also use remote sensory soil probes that are able to monitor crops need in real times. A

smartphone will be able to tell when a crop is ready (King, n.d.). All of these technologies relate

to a farmer’s time and efficiency. If the farmer is better able to monitor crops and livestock, they

will be more efficient in production.

Jennings states that in 2050, the world’s population will be much greater, and that the

world’s food production will have to increase by 70 percent. Water will be high in demand.

Smart farming, also known as precision agriculture, “is based on the incorporation of advanced

technology in the management of crops and livestock to increase output without compromising

quality” (Jennings, 2017). As the farms become smarter so do the machines.

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One part of precision agriculture and smart farming is drones. There are many uses for

drones as they are affordable do not require a lot of training and the can fly high and fast.

Therefore, drones can monitor large fields and take images over an amount of time to make

animation so farmer can view the succession of their field. With large-scale farms, chemical

spraying is necessary. Drones can complete spraying faster and more efficiently than other

methods. They help decrease the amount of chemicals reaching groundwater. By having drones

help with planting, it can decrease the amount spent up to 85 percent says Jennings (Jennings,

2017). Drones can scope out the field and report back which parts of the field need more water

and which could use less.

Drones are not only used in crop production; they are also used for livestock (Jennings,

2017). Drones help care for livestock by reporting back to their home base if there are sick,

injured, or missing animals (Jennings, 2017). Drones are not the only devices that involve caring

for livestock. There are also cameras that help care for the animal’s well-being. These cameras

do not just protect animals; they also protect people too. A woman was helping care for a

newborn foal by herself, but the horse in the stable next to her knocked down the stall and

injured her. Luckily, someone was watching the cameras and called both the veterinarian and

emergency responders (Thomas, n.d.). Without these cameras, she might have been injured

worse or unable to seek medical attention.

Rex Quam owns part of a goat and all of a sheep operation and uses cameras in his

operation. The farm is a side job for Quam, who is also a farm business management instructor

and Riverland Community College, so the cameras allow Quam to spend time with his family

and friends and less time in the barn. Smartphones and other mobile devices allow other people

to watch the livestock in different locations (Quam, 2018). Since Quam has started using
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cameras, the survival rate of lambs and kids have increased. Quam has used the cameras for 20

years and says they are essential for a production of his size.

Another technology Quam states is vital to his farm business is the internet. The internet

has helped him with marketing and promotion. Quam uses Facebook and soon a website to help

connect with people around the country. He also uses online sales to sell animals. He states that

if he sells 15 animals, usually two to three go to people he has never talked to. There are some

cons to this type of marketing, however. Some buyers do not communicate with Quam. Some

wait until after the sale. This is a problem because if there is a flaw with the animal that is not

included in the description, they might not have bought the animal in the first place, or they

might back out on the sale (Quam, 2018). Quam’s operation would not be as successful as it is

without technology and.

Quam also insists artificial insemination is an important technology. Veterinarians have

helped Quam with artificial insemination. Artificial insemination, also known as A.I., is where

people take semen from a male specimen and transfer it into a female during the heat cycle.

Quam takes advantage of laparoscopic A.I. Laparoscopic A.I. is a small surgical process (Quam,

2018). The doe or ewe is given a sedative, and the semen is put directly into the uterine horn.

On a normal day, a buck or ram will breed three to four females. With A.I., they can breed up to

100 head of females, and the conception rate is 70-80 percent (Farin, n.d.).

A.I. is not the only reproductive technology that has changed the future of livestock

offspring. Embryo transfer allows farmers take the best genetics and multiply them more rapidly

instead getting only a couple offspring a year (Quam, 2018). This is a unique process. A farmer

must first find a valuable donor. Once they have selected that donor, they must give a hormonal

treatment to produce super ovulation. Farmers must breed at the right time to get the best results.
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Most farmers use A.I. when they embryo transfer. A week after the donor is bred, the farmer

must transfer the embryos into the receipts. Each recipient will have one to three embryos put

into her. On average, donors produce 10-20 embryos (Farin, n.d.). Without embryo transfer each

donor doe conceives one to four embryos.

Many farmers check for the conception of the offspring. Knowing the conception rate

can help determine the farmer’s plan and action. If a female is not pregnant, the farmer may want

to seek her or prepare to breed her again. Ultrasounds are a technology that is a reliable source

of pregnancy checking. They can determine a fetal heart beat at 27 days, and the operator can

determine how many fetuses are present around 60 days. This technology helps farmers prepare

for the upcoming offspring (Stewart, n.d.).

Many other devices help with production in agriculture. One device called a milk

machine. This type of machine helps feed orphan lambs, kids, or other livestock. Many farmers

who use this device would never go back feeding by hand. The benefit of this machine is it gives

nutrients to orphan livestock. It also gives the livestock the chance to eat whenever they are

hungry and more frequently (Quam, 2018). Like the milk machine, the robotic milker gives

milking cows the chance to be milked whenever they prefer. Farmers experience their milk

production increasing due to cows being milked three times a day instead of two (Varinkey,

2017). Robots can also help with feeding cattle.

Like humans, cattle also need to eat. Having robots can help with time and efficiency.

Robots can measure, mix, and feed rations. Since cows ruminate, it is better for their health if

they are fed more frequently. Many farmers do not have the time to spend feeding more than

twice a day. Robots are able to keep working while the farmers are away. As long as the grain

bins are full, robots can feed up to 700 head of cattle (Scharpe, 2017).
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In essence, yield is very important to crop farmers. “A crop yield is a measurement of the

amount of agricultural production harvested per unit of land area,” (Investopedia, n.d.). During

harvesting, many farmers use technology to map their field, allowing them to keep track of the

yield. This helps farmers get a perspective on the land and how it affects the growth of their

crop. If the field lacks certain aspects that contribute to the crops’ yield, it might affect the

farmer’s decision on what to plant in the field in the future.

Many farmers are embracing the technology and installing a GPS system to help with

important actions (Crop Watch, n.d.) Many tractors also have GPS systems installed in them.

The GPS allows a tractor to drive themselves. Farmers like this product because it leaves

straight lines. “The self-steering tractor can go faster, work in fog or night when there might be

difficulty seeing landmarks to guide operators,” (Hanly, 2017).

Furthermore, autonomous tractors are programmed to function without someone in the

tractor. “The University of Illinois already has tractors that uses GPS, gyroscopes, a camera, and

a computer to drive itself from the implement shed to the field,” (Hanly, 2017). Farmers are able

to control tractors without being present in the vehicle, but it will be a while before they will be

able to sit at home and control the vehicle from there.

Many devices and kinds of technology affect agriculture. Agricultural technology can be

found in vehicles, the air, or livestock housing. Technology helps keep accurate information and

helps monitor various conditions to ensure farmers are highly most productive and profitable. It

has changed the perspective on how the world functions and will continue to evolve to meet the

challenges of farmers around the world.

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Work Cited

Arcuri, L. (2017, Feburay 18). The Spruce. Retrieved March 2018, 1, from

https://www.thespruce.com/how-to-keep-farm-records-3016896

Bellis, M. (2017, March 6). Thought Co. Retrieved Febuary 2018, 2018, from

https://www/thoughco.com/history-of-american-agriculture-farm-machinery-4074385

Crop Watch. (n.d.). Retrieved March 07, 2018, from UNIVERSITY OF NEBRASKA–

LINCOLN: https://cropwatch.unl.edu/ssm/mapping

Farin, C. E. (n.d.). Retrieved March 1, 2018, from https://meatgoats.ces.ncsu.edu/wp-

content/uploads/2015/10/Goat-AI-Et.pdf?fwd=no

Hanly, K. (2017, October 10). Digital Journal. Retrieved Febuary 12, 2018, from

http://www.digitaljournal.com/tech-and0science/technology/gps-self-steering-and-

autonomous-tractors/article/504710

Investopedia. (n.d.). Retrieved March 1, 2018, from https://www.investopedia.com/terms/c/crop-

yield.asp

Jennings, T. (2017, April 7). Crop Life. Retrieved Febuary 12, 2018, from

http://www.croplife.com/equipment/farming-drones-the-future-of-agriculture/

King, A. (n.d.). Nature. Retrieved Febuary 23, 2018, from

https://www.nature.com/articles/544S21a

Quam, R. (2018, Febuary 13). (C. Kleinwort, Interviewer)

Scharpe, P. (2017, August 11). Minnesota Farm Guide. Retrieved Febuary 28, 2018, from

http://www.agupdate.com/minnesotafarmguide/news/livestock/robotic-cattle-feeding-

system-improving-efficiency-and-performance/article_c78c915f-e6fc-5bfc-aaf8-

2021824019e2.html
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Stewart, J. L. (n.d.). Veterinary Manual. Retrieved March 07, 2018, from Marick Manual:

https://www.merckvetmanual.com/management-and-nutrition/management-of-

reproduction-goats/pregnancy-determination-in-goats

Thomas, C. (n.d.). Info Horse. Retrieved Febuary 13, 2018, from

http://www.infohorse.com/barncamera.asp

Varinkey, D. (2017, June 3). Business Insider. Retrieved Febuary 12, 2018, from

http://www.businessinsider.com/automation-dairy-farms-robots-milking-cows-2017-6