Technology, such as the Advanced Farming Systems (AFS) used in equipment such as this Magnum series tractor, is increasing helping farmers optimize operations. Hub International Equipment Ltd. precision farming specialist says AFS can boost year-to-year planting accuracy; by iess than one inch in most instances.
Ask someone to pair the word technology with an occupation, and farming probably won’t be there first response.
However, when it comes to technology, the agricultural industry is often leading the charge, courting the cutting edge, be it genetics, equipment or alternative energy.
It’s happening across Canada and that includes the City of Kawartha Lakes.
“Farmers here are tapped into the leading edge of technology and science,” said Kelly Maloney, agricultural development officer with the City. “There’s always early adoptees, but farmers are really well connected to the research community…they’re able to identify where those innovations can be best used for their operations. They’re always looking beyond the farm gate.”
It’s all critically important given the evolution of the agricultural footprint in recent decades.
The average commercial farm now encompasses thousands – rather than hundreds – of acres, often the result of multi-generational farms and the combination of resources.
As a result, said Ms Maloney, farmers are having to make significant investments into equipment in order to address the larger farm and ensure optimal production.
“When a farmer decides to make a change, it’s always based on payback,” said Ms Maloney.
After all, there could be millions of dollars on the line.
According to the Ontario Dairy Farm Accounting Project for 2012 – which studied 56 Ontario dairy farms – the net income on average was $178,601 per farm and the average market value of the farms was $5.49 million.
The study – which was first initiated in 1976 – also reported that net farm income has more than doubled in 10 years, up from $80,000 on average in 2003.
But while larger farms, those with an average of 163 cows, had a considerably higher net income than middle (69) or small (48) operations – $414,000, $119,000 and $46,351 respectively – the debt also rose exponentially; $3.2 million versus $899,000 and $613,000. Overall, the average farm had debts of about $1.45 million.
Farmers making their living through livestock are now committing extensive resources to genetics, developing intricate breeding programs and networking with producers around the world to develop optimal stock.
Last year, the Canadian Livestock Genetics Association received more than $1 million in federal funding to build demand for livestock genetics internationally. The investment, which is funneled through the Growing Forward program, will help the association market dairy and small-ruminant genetics, lead trade missions, develop and evaluate new markets, participate in trade advocacy meetings and deliver seminars.
In 2013, the Canadian dairy genetics industry alone was valued at close to $123 million – $12 million more than in 2012 – with exports to more than 100 countries. The industry only keeps growing; the first two months of 2014 saw almost $26 million in international trade.
The Association has joined forces with the Centre of Excellence in Goat Research and Innovation in Peterborough and a collaboration of regional dairy goat farmers – including Lloyd and Barbara Wicks, owners of Grasshill Farm Saanens near Bobcaygeon – to invest in research at Trent University on the genetics of a high-performing breed of dairy goats that could lead to higher milk production for herds in developing countries.
But growing state-of-the-art genetics programs isn’t limited to livestock.
A number of local crop farmers have taken advantage of studies and programs designed to improve yield and reduce loss.
Last summer, the Victoria Soil and Crop Improvement Association car tour stopped by the farms of Scott Tamlin and Bruce McKeown. That spring, a calculated mixture of ammonium sulphate was applied to their fields. After the first cut, half the area fertilized received a spray application of a special fertilizer mixture supplied by Julian Suurd. A check strip is being left with no treatment. Yield tests were performed on all different treatments, including the check strip, along with soil tests and tissue samples.
Local corn producer, Ed Bagshaw, has been involved in provincial corn trials, the results of which are a valuable tool for farmers when selecting seed for the upcoming season. “Traditionally, these tests are done on farms in Southern Ontario, so this is something new for this area,” said Ms Maloney.
All of this has also been tied into technology.
“Now they’re using their Smart phones and computers to make their decisions as opposed to paper reports,” explained Ms Maloney. “They’re using technology to get it right.”
Applying advancements in communications technology to the tools of agriculture has enabled farmers to access satellite and data connections as well as sensors providing up-to-the-minute information via Global Positioning Systems (GPS) monitoring and mapping. The massive equipment required to service acres upon acres of crops can be fitted with auto-steering capabilities, plowing rows and planting seeds with sub-inch accuracy and later harvesting with the same precision. The systems can also track yield data and keep records for year-to-year analysis.
Sometimes, technology looks more like Toys ‘R Us.
The development of an unmanned aerial vehicle – or drone – is helping save farmers the cost of paying for an airplane to photograph crops to analyze drainage or damage issues, and to determine fertilizer and herbicide needs. The equipment, about the size of a standard radio-controlled helicopter, also doesn’t bother neighbours, can fly very close to crops and shoots high-definition photos.
“Younger generations of farmers are certainly taking more advantage of new technology,” noted Ms Maloney.
Source: My Kawartha
