Technology on the modern farm
by Patricia Grotenhuis
So many people seem to look back at the “good old days” as the way things should be now on farms. That would, however, put an end to the tremendous growth and development we have seen recently.
Technology is everywhere on the farm. GPS technology was used in tractors and for tracking soil types on farms long before it was common in vehicles. My parents have had a home computer to do tasks related to the farm for as long as I can remember. Radio Frequency Identification, or RFID, tags are used to track certain livestock species so that if there is a disease outbreak, recalls will be simpler.
Today’s modern farms are technology-dependent. And in many ways, these technological advancements help the farms become more environmentally conscious. It is true that today’s farms are dependent on fossil fuels…it would not be possible to feed as many people as we do otherwise. Farmers are trying to cut back on that reliance, though.
It is not just the farmers who have benefitted from advancements on the farm. Consumers can now enjoy products year-round that used to be seasonal, such as eggs. The environment has benefitted from farmers using new equipment and technologies, and investing in green energies. Animals on the farm have benefitted from larger stalls, improved handling systems and technologies, like alarm systems, that alert the farmers when the power goes off.
There will always be a nostalgia associated with the farms of the past. When looking at the farms of today, though, we should take notice of the large advancements we have made in caring for the land and animals, and be proud of those changes. Just think of what the next generation or two of farmers can accomplish!
Posted by Farm and Food Care on March 9th, 2012 :: Filed under Animal care,animal handling,Innovation and technology
Tags :: animal care, misconceptions, technology
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