The farming sector in Ireland is undoubtedly going through a serious period of technological upheaval and change. We see it everywhere: from data analytics to automation, innovative new technologies are profoundly impacting farming operations of all sizes across the country.
And, while agriculture has always evolved with breakthroughs in machinery and technique, the pace of change today is faster than ever. Indeed, according to some studies, as much as 80 per cent of agricultural yields come from machine operations. Of course, today, just as it always has been, farming remains a very challenging business with profit margins attacked from a range of directions.
However, this digital and technological revolution presents both opportunities and challenges for farmers as traditional manual tasks become automated and data-driven decision making becomes what we consider to be the norm. From GPS-guided tractors to AI-powered predictive analytics, advanced tools are making it possible to do more with less. And even simple issues like how farmers can accept payment for goods or livestock have had a huge impact.
Digital solutions for payment
One area in which we can see the immediate and genuine impact of technology on farms is how payment for goods, services, and livestock has been streamlined by digital solutions. There are now well-known apps and digital services that enable farmers to accept highly secure payments quickly and easily; any time and any place.
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Mobile point-of-sale (POS) systems and card readers truly are game changers for farms. These allow farmers to accept instant card and contactless payments and all they need is a smartphone or tablet to hand. For farmers selling fresh produce directly to consumers at farmers’ markets or farm shops, mobile POS systems provide convenience and security.
This is also true for farmers doing business with other agricultural businesses, suppliers, or customers. Digital payment platforms also allow farms to easily send and receive digital invoices and accept online payments. This simplifies billing for those selling to restaurants, processors or distributors. Payments can be deposited directly rather than waiting for checks.
Crop management driven by data
Crop management has always been one of the key components of a successful farming operation. So the fact that is now possible for farmers to either automate some elements of the process to save time, or make use of extremely powerful advanced analytics and even artificial intelligence, means that crop management can be made more precise and more effective.
There is a wide range of different technologies that farmers are now using to collect data. This data can then be used to glean insights into how the crops are best managed, allowing farmers to optimise their growing operations. For example, it is now possible to use sensors in fields to measure key variables such as moisture in the soil, leaf health of plants, and microclimates across the farm.
This data is vital in monitoring the crops and how they grow under these varied conditions. The data can then be fed into farming-specific software that allows farmers to model outcomes and make better decisions about where to plant crops.
Using precision agriculture equipment
There can be no doubt that recent years have seen a huge rise in the development of powerful precision agricultural equipment. Once again, these have had a profound impact on how farms operate. Sounding perhaps more like software development than farming – words such as automation, data analytics and targeting have become commonplace.
A great example of this has come in the form of tractors that can utilise GPS and even automated steering in order to perform extremely precise and ultra-straight passes through fields. Sounds like overkill? Well, being able to be extremely consistent with where tractors go can reduce problems such as overlapping and ensure even distribution.
Perhaps even more interesting is that these technologies can combine together. There are GPS-guided sprayers that can automatically adjust their application rates as they go based on field variability. Also, GPS-guided harvesters can now use technology to identify ripe crops, quickly automating what was once a painstaking manual job.
These types of technology have had a large impact on efficiency and have helped farmers cut down on their use of fuel, pesticides, fertiliser and even seeds, as the precision equipment reduces waste significantly.
Increased use of robotics in farming
Whether you are milking cows or picking berries, the impact of robotics in farming has also been huge. Robots and automation are becoming increasingly important in handling repetitive and intensive manual labour tasks in farms across Ireland. Ultimately, this has allowed farmers to focus their time on key decision making and crop management.
For example, in dairy farming there are now automatic milking systems that allow for cows to be milked as needed without human intervention. These automated systems can do everything from identifying individual cows, cleaning their udders, attaching milking cups, and routing the milk. This has been a significant factor in the increase in milk farming productivity in recent years. Similarly, in crop farming there are now robots that can be used to automate tasks such as pruning and weed control.
Livestock monitoring
It is worth remembering that another way that technology has had a positive impact on farming is in the area of animal welfare. The use of technology has become highly prevalent in managing livestock and ensuring that all of the animals on the farm as healthy as possible. This is achieved in a number of different ways including biometric data and sensors that are able to track movement.
Nowhere has there been a greater impact here than on cows. Cattle can now be fitted with wearable devices that continuously monitor their health indicators – these include issues like temperature and how long they lie down every day. These types of devices allow farmers to identify illnesses early on, reducing the distress and illness for the animal, and helping to make sure that this does not develop into a broader problem.
Many farmers have also invested in video monitoring systems as these make it easier to track the behaviour of livestock on the farm, as well as their activity levels. Being able to track the physical motion of animals allows injuries to be caught and the possibility of identifying lameness early.