The older age of U.S. farmers remains a topic of interest (Kurtzleben; Stone). This article thus revisits the farmdoc daily article of Oct. 23, 2013, updating it with 2017 Census of Agriculture data. It is also a condensed, more focused version of a forthcoming article in the Handbook of Rural Aging. A key point is that U.S. policy should focus more on helping older farmers remain active, high performers.
One of the critical drivers of widespread adoption of autonomous ag technology will be cost vs. value. Like any new technology, there will be a learning curve and fusion onto the farm will be gradual. Dr. Scott Shearer, ag engineering professor at Ohio State University, doesn’t foresee automation being a wholesale replacement to human oversight on the farm.
Much has been made of autonomous advancements in the ag industry during the last few years, as a possible pathway to increased field efficiencies and a solution to labor shortages.
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There was plenty of technology on display at the World Dairy Expo in Madison, Wis., a few weeks ago. Farm Equipment editor Mike Lessiter caught up with Monarch Tractor’s John Issacson and got his take on the top 5 applications in autonomy right now.