Ontario Agriculture

The network for agriculture in Ontario, Canada

Future of Farming: Robot Farmers? What do you think of this concept video?

What do you think farming technology will capable of in 50 - 100 years?
Joe

Views: 1437

▶ Reply to This

Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by OntAG Admin on February 21, 2012 at 3:47am

Replies on Twitter:


CornellFarmsFeb 19, 9:03pm via Web

@OntAg Facinating video.

Show Conversation
mattymetzgerFeb 18, 5:20pm via TweetDeck

@OntAg more robotics yes, but not in that form

Show Conversation
ScoutingFieldsFeb 18, 9:58am via Web

@OntAg Interesting Robot concept. With precision farming technologies,changes are happening at a fast pace. check outbit.ly/p1ygWM

1 retweetsHide conversation
OntAg

OntAg: #ontag Chat Forum: Future of Farming: Robot Farmers? What do you think of this concept video?http://t.co/7MFJig4R

Permalink Reply by Iain Robson on December 13, 2012 at 11:49pm

Quite an interesting video. I just recently wrote a blog post about why young farmers love tech and this play along to that. While I don't talk about robots I definitely talk about being more efficient at the farm.

This video is also very thought provoking because many people feel that robots will take over, but not in a good way. Think about i-robot. I wonder how many farmers would jump on something like this if it was affordable. 

What kind of technology do you use on your farms?

Permalink Reply by Joe Dales on December 19, 2012 at 9:35am

Hi Iain,

Welcome to the Ontario Agriculture Community website.

It sounds like you are interested in farming and getting a handle on the technology.

I suggest that you go visit a farm machinery dealership in your area and ask to talk to the Precision Ag Specialist.

They will show you some of the interesting new tools farmers have to be more efficient....autosteer, gps, record keeping...

Take care,

 

Joe

 

Permalink Reply by Joe Dales on December 19, 2012 at 9:38am

Here is a video we did with the Propero inventor this summer.

Permalink Reply by Iain Robson on December 19, 2012 at 9:48am

Thanks Joe, 

That is a great idea. I will have to set up a time to go check out some of the stuff they have out there now.

It is awesome to see what they are doing nowadays. I wonder how many robots like that you would have to have to plant 100 acres. 

Iain

Joe Dales said:

Hi Iain,

Welcome to the Ontario Agriculture Community website.

It sounds like you are interested in farming and getting a handle on the technology.

I suggest that you go visit a farm machinery dealership in your area and ask to talk to the Precision Ag Specialist.

They will show you some of the interesting new tools farmers have to be more efficient....autosteer, gps, record keeping...

Take care,

 

Joe

 

Permalink Reply by Joe Dales on December 19, 2012 at 9:55am

The little Prospero robot is more of a concept by the young inventor....not sure if it makes sense as a corn planter...current tractor and planters are increasing in size and sophistication...pretty efficient and effective at placing the seed.

Here is a video we did this spring with our friend Larry planting corn....he uses gps autosteer to make sure there is no seeding wasted with overlap.

 

 

 

 

Permalink Reply by Iain Robson on December 19, 2012 at 10:42am

My only problem with that type of technology is how do the small farms afford it. That could almost be a whole topic in itself.

Awesome video though.

Permalink Reply by Paul Smith on December 19, 2012 at 3:20pm

Technology is here to stay, maybe not with planting robots, but precision Ag is now a way farming.  Truthfully in a lot of cases if you are not using precision Ag solutions you are leaving money somewhere on the table.

Data management to me is the next buzz word in Ag, it is what farmers use to make decisions on Variable Rate Application, inputs and seed population and even water management.  To make the most profitable choices you need the proper accurate data and that’s were precision Ag is going.

Sometimes it is easier for smaller operations to implement changes like precision since the intial investment is not as high as the BTO's farming.

 

Permalink Reply by Iain Robson on December 19, 2012 at 11:11pm

What type of initial investment are we talking for a small farm?

Paul Smith said:

Technology is here to stay, maybe not with planting robots, but precision Ag is now a way farming.  Truthfully in a lot of cases if you are not using precision Ag solutions you are leaving money somewhere on the table.

Data management to me is the next buzz word in Ag, it is what farmers use to make decisions on Variable Rate Application, inputs and seed population and even water management.  To make the most profitable choices you need the proper accurate data and that’s were precision Ag is going.

Sometimes it is easier for smaller operations to implement changes like precision since the intial investment is not as high as the BTO's farming.

 

Permalink Reply by Paul Smith on December 20, 2012 at 8:55am

starting at 2000 and the sky is the limit, but hi end systems run around 15K, alot has to do with the dealers knowledge how they can train customers to collect and manage the data to make gains on the farm

Permalink Reply by Iain Robson on December 20, 2012 at 9:27am

And that 2000 could be put on any tractor, or would it have to be on certain types that already have some stuff on them.

Paul Smith said:

starting at 2000 and the sky is the limit, but hi end systems run around 15K, alot has to do with the dealers knowledge how they can train customers to collect and manage the data to make gains on the farm

Permalink Reply by Paul Smith on December 20, 2012 at 9:35am

2000 would be just a display, that could be used for guidance(it tells you where to drive to be efficient) by a means of a light bar and it can be used in any piece of equipment on a farm.  Main uses for these are tillage, spraying and less accurate planting.

Systems that steer for you start around 5K and most applications top out around 14K for most cash crop operations.

▶ Reply to Discussion

RSS

Agriculture Headlines from Farms.com Canada East News - click on title for full story

BC farmers gearing up for collection of pesticides and livestock medications this Fall

This October, Vancouver Island and Fraser Valley farmers in BC are readying to participate in Cleanfarms’ longest running environmental stewardship initiative: the Unwanted Pesticides and Old Livestock/Equine Medications (UPLM) program. Operating on a rotating schedule year-over-year, this well-loved Canada-wide program helps farmers in BC (and in other regions) protect their land and communities by accepting unwanted commercial-class pesticides and obsolete livestock/equine medications for safe disposal, free of charge. This year in BC, there are eight single-day collection events from October 6 to October 16, operating 9AM to 4PM daily: four in the Fraser Valley and four on Vancouver Island, including a first-time event in Port Alberni. “The reach of this year’s events means even greater convenience to BC farmers,” says UPLM’s Program Coordinator Heather Bradley. “Greater program participation, combined with the promotional work of our agricultural retail and regional district par

U.S. Winter Wheat Planting, Emergence Lagging

U.S. winter wheat planting made decent progress this past week but continues to lag last year and the five-year average. Emergence is also running behind. According to Monday’s USDA crop progress, 27% of the American winter wheat crop was planted as Sunday, up 10 percentage points from a week earlier. That was below both the 32% planted at the same point last year and the 2021-25 average of 34%. Meanwhile, winter wheat emergence also increased nationally, with 8% of the crop emerged, up from 2% the previous week. That remained below 12% last year and the five-year average of 11%. Kansas planting advanced to 18% from 10% the previous week, compared with 16% last year and the five-year average of 24%. Oklahoma reached 7% planted, up from 4% a week earlier, but well behind 30% last year and the 25% average. Michigan moved to 18% planted from 14%, ahead of 15% last year and equal to the five-year average. No planting progress was reported for Ohio as of Sunday; the state was 10% p

FCC Economists Examine Trade, Interest Rates and Economic Risks Facing Agriculture

Farm Credit Canada is highlighting trade uncertainty, interest rates and broader financial conditions as key economic issues for Canadian farmers and agribusinesses through the remainder of 2026. In an economic update webinar released Tuesday, FCC’s economics team reviews the major economic and financial variables affecting farms, food and beverage manufacturers and agribusinesses, while providing its outlook for the months ahead. The 39-minute presentation features FCC chief economist Craig Johnston, principal economist Krishen Rangasamy and deputy chief economist Desmond Sobool. The update comes amid a challenging backdrop for the Canadian economy, including renewed U.S. trade barriers, geopolitical uncertainty and elevated borrowing costs. FCC has previously estimated Canadian economic growth at around 1% for 2026, with trade restrictions weighing on non-energy exports and contributing to weaker business conditions. Interest rates are another important consideration. Alth

Manitoba Harvest Passes Halfway Mark

The Manitoba harvest passed the halfway mark this past week, although rainfall, fog and heavy dews continued to limit fieldwork in several parts of the province. Tuesday’s weekly crop report showed the Manitoba harvest at 51% complete as of Monday, up from 43% a week earlier. The largest regional advance came in the Northwest, where overall harvest progress jumped to 40% from 24%. The Central region moved to 71% from 64%, the Eastern region to 66% from 62%, the Interlake to 59% from 56%, and the Southwest to 32% from 27%. Provincially, spring wheat harvest reached 77%, up from 71% a week earlier. Barley advanced to 81% from 76%, oats to 72% from 66%, and canola to 57% from 43%. Peas remained at 96% complete, while soybean harvest increased to 5% from 1%. Dry bean harvest doubled to 32% done. Quality concerns are becoming more prominent in later-harvested cereals, with sprouting, weathering, and bleaching causing downgrades in some areas, the report said. Canola yields are gener

Secretary Naig Welcomes Applications for Urban Water Quality Project Grants

Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig today announced that the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship (IDALS) is accepting pre-applications for cost-share grants to support urban conservation and water quality projects. The locally led projects, available to Iowa communities of all sizes, support implementation of the Iowa Nutrient Reduction Strategy and are part of the state’s continued efforts to improve water quality. “Communities – big and small – have been putting proven conservation practices to work to improve water quality across Iowa since 2015,” said Secretary Naig. “From managing stormwater to reducing nutrient loss and protecting local waterways, these locally led projects help improve water quality and mitigate urban flooding. Many of these projects also become attractive community features that enhance quality of life. IDALS will continue working alongside communities to deliver cleaner water for Iowans because there is no finish line when it comes to cons

© 2026   Created by Darren Marsland.   Powered by

Badges  |  Report an Issue  |  Terms of Service