2020 Spring Farm Outlook

Page 16 2020 Logan County Farm Outlook LINCOLN DAILY NEWS March 19, 2020 Installing Farm Drain Tile to Prevent Erosion https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L3- s8CPQwmk While UBER and Tesla are working hard on producing self-driving cars, the farm industry has had self-steering machines for about the last 20 years. Utilizing GPS and enhanced radio equipment called RTK, tractors and combines can steer themselves to the accuracy of the sub-inch. Utilizing combines with RTK and built-in computers, farmers can gauge field productivity on every pass, and interfacing with the farm computer, farmers can custom applicate fertilizers to the acreage based on actual productivity, thereby saving time and money. John Deere brings farming into the future with self-driving equipment https://www.youtube.com/ watch?v=wowPihsf3kU Watching the crops and keeping track of diseases, insect populations and even spot fertilizer needs has always been important on the farm. Drones now provide a sky-view of crops and productivity, and can even apply insecticides, herbicides and fertilizers as needed rather than broadcast, so the crops and land are healthier and costs are lower. Top 5 Reasons To Use A Farming Drone in 2019 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4L_ RzCSh58U The future of farming is closely tied to technological advances, self steering mechanization, drones that can spot problems and apply specific fixes, more compacted land use, healthier uses of fertilizers and pesticides, and computerization. Some experts prognosticate vertical farming with hydroponics, micro farms producing 100 times the current crop on existing acreage, operations to replenish the soil depth, and water management systems to provide necessary irrigation for crops. It is predicted that the world population will grow from the current seven billion to ten billion by 2050, and agriculture with technology will provide the food they need to eat. The Future of Farming https://www.youtube.com/ watch?v=Qmla9NLFBvU Farmers are some of the most intelligent people on this planet, and have harnessed technology to increase productivity, lower costs and manpower, and provide the necessary food supply for a growing population. Mike Bloomberg could learn a lot in just an afternoon listening to a farmer and observing a modern farm operation. Once upon a time it began with hole/seed/water, but with technology the best is yet to come!