Farming and Technology

From the invention of the cotton gin to drones and robots, agriculture has always advanced on the back of new technologies. This week's Super Six kicks off with an excellent piece from the Wall Street Daily on agriculture and technology, something that we know a lot about.

The Wall Street Daily observes that if you think about it, farming and technology have always been joined at the hip. In a bygone era, agriculture advanced on the back of inventions like the cotton gin, the reaper, and the thresher. Today, farming involves the use of wireless technologies, GPS positioning, and lasers to be more efficient. But, tomorrow’s farmers will be taking agriculture technology a bit further by using Big Data, robots, drones, and numerous other technological wonders.
We're at the forefront of ag tire technology with products such as Increased flotation (IF/VF) tires. With the introduction of the new Alliance Agriflex IF 372 IF650/65R34 CFO size (pictured below), we have released our 31st increased flotation (IF/VF) tire under the Alliance brand—making our line-up of IF and VF tires one of the biggest in the industry. The new 372 IF is quite a tire: it features a special stubble guard compound and the ability—like other IF tires—to carry 20 percent more load at the same inflation pressure as conventional radials, or to carry the same load at 20 percent less pressure. VF tires, or very-high-flexion tires, boost those figures to 40 percent more load or 40 percent less inflation pressure.
One of the hallmarks of the U.S. ag industry is collaboration, particularly when it comes to sharing the latest technologies. For instance, agriculture.com reports on the Successful Farming magazine editors bringing the leading innovators and researchers in agricultural technology, robotics, equipment, and soil health all to one place for a must-attend one-day event—the 2015 Tools of the Future Showcase.
As we look ahead to the promise of new technologies, it's important to recognize the role that technologies have played in farming's past. This USDA blog discusses National Dairy Month in June and how many scientific advances and processes radically changed the industry, including pasteurization, the development of the centrifugal separator that removes milkfat and allows the manufacturing of more dairy products, and the Babcock test that determines milk fat content.

Drones are certainly a key topic in discussions about agriculture and technology. This insightful story from NPR looks at the future role of drones in farming and the rules that will govern their usage.
Our final story this week from agweb, powered by Farm Journal, looks at the graying of the American farmer. What's the connection with technology? With potentially fewer farmers working the fields in the future, technology will play an essential role in maintaining America's status as the breadbasket to the world.

AboutBarry Clifford

Barry has been in marketing and public relations for more than 20 years, working with companies like Travelocity, Weight Watchers, Weider Nutrition and many others to communicate product benefits to customers around the world. Since joining Alliance Tire he is working to develop an intimate knowledge of the agriculture, construction and forestry markets by getting out on the road and meeting customers wherever possible. He is a marketing strategist with experience developing, managing and evaluating programs that drive traffic, lead acquisition and nurturing, and sales. When he’s not out at a tractor pull or at a customer show, Barry is headquartered in Wakefield, MA and he spends his off hours with his family, trying to get to the mountains for a hike or camping, or hitting the gym.