The evolution of agricultural technology has greatly impacted how communities live their modern lives, and Agfinity — for over a century — has been a pillar in the Colorado farming community.
Innovation in the agricultural industry is integral in how we better serve the local communities. Without farming advancements, modern conveniences and farming would look completely different.
In the first part of Advancements in Agriculture, we examined the role of the steel plow, the steam engine, and the internal combustion engine and how they’ve revolutionized the farming industry. If you haven’t had a chance to read it, go back and browse some pertinent history, and then enjoy part two here today!
Agfinity has been committed to local Colorado agriculture since 1905 — not only are we growing together, we’re building a legacy. From agronomy and energy to feed and grain and retail, our co-op is a steward to the Colorado agriculture community that has made us the Cooperative we are today.
The Significance Of Agricultural Technology
Agricultural operations are far more different than those of the past, and they continue to only get more efficient. Not only has the equipment allowed farmers to do more with the land, but advanced farming technology also permits businesses to be more profitable, safer, environmentally friendly, and effective.
Where farmers once tended to the land sunup to sundown, the labor-intensive agricultural operations have transformed to technology-driven solutions where farmers no longer have to solely apply fertilizer, water, or pesticides across entire fields, but they can rely on innovations to target specific areas and tailor their crops more specifically for a better yield.
How have advancements in agricultural technology benefited both the industry and the communities they serve?
- Higher crop yields
- Advanced efficiencies and lower food prices
- Decreased use of pesticides, water, and fertilizer
- Reliable growing conditions
- Safer food
- Better farmer safety
- Improvements in natural ecosystems
- Diminished chemical runoff into groundwater, lakes, rivers, etc.
Modern Agricultural Technologies
Where the 1800s delivered mechanization in farming and the 1900s brought the diversification of crops, the second agricultural revolution spawned in the 1940s where horses were traded for tractors, commercial fertilizers become widely available in the 1950s, and a crop boom was experienced in the 1970s with the implementation of both chemicals and innovative farming equipment.
Agricultural advancements continue to evolve, and the 21st-century has truly innovated farming technology through cultivation management.
Moisture & Temperature Sensors
Colorado experiences all four seasons, and any farmer here would acknowledge how the soil constantly changes season after season. From crop patterns and row density to the weather, crops are continually adapting to their environment.
In the past, farmers had to throw caution to the wind and rely on a little luck to yield a fruitful harvest. But, things have changed. Thanks to soil and water monitoring, farmers are able to obtain a real-time read on their crops, allowing them to make beneficial and accurate decisions.
Aerial Imagery
Why is high-resolution drone imagery important to modern-day agriculture? Not only do you get a bird’s eye view of your crops, but you also receive rich data about your crops without having to be in the fields.
This allows farmers to make informed decisions about their crops, and similar to moisture and temperature sensors, they are a real-time tool that provides rapid crop scouting to better understand the health of crops.
GPS Technology
GPS technology for agriculture allows farmers to protect their fields and their financial investments. This technology benefits farmers for more precision plowing, irrigation, field marking, and planting and fertilization.
GPS also provides farmers to continue working during events that, in the past, would typically cause them to stop — events including rain, heavy fog, darkness, and other low-visibility conditions. At the end of the day, it makes farming more efficient and profitable.
Agfinity Is Committed To The Local Community — Past And Present
Agfinity saw its roots take hold in the 20th-century when we saw the need for a farming co-op in the rural Eaton potato farming industry. From potatoes, grew an abundance of agricultural and community solutions that keeps Colorado a robust and thriving agricultural epicenter.
The agricultural technology that is used has evolved, too. Innovations have transformed the 21st- century in the equipment farmers use to the news technology that provides farmers with real-time cultivation management information.
Agfinity was with you in the past, and we’re with you now. Though we’ve expanded, our priority is always the co-op members and the Colorado community!