As the agricultural landscape continues to evolve, a growing number of farmers across North America are turning to cutting-edge technologies to revolutionise their operations. A recent survey by McKinsey found that 57% of North American farmers are likely to adopt new yield-increasing technologies in the next two years, signalling a significant shift towards a more tech-driven future.
One such pioneer is Jake Leguee, a third-generation farmer in Saskatchewan, Canada. Leguee’s family has been working the land since the 1950s, and he has witnessed firsthand the transformative power of technology. “Today, technology has vastly improved the job that we do,” he says, highlighting the advancements in crop spraying that have allowed him to reduce pesticide usage and increase efficiency.
Leguee’s experience is not unique. A 2022 report by the US Department of Agriculture revealed that while the overall number of farms in the country is shrinking, the remaining farms are becoming “tech-dense,” embracing a range of digital tools and solutions to optimise their operations.
Norah Lake, the owner and farmer at Vermont’s Sweetland Farms, is another example of this trend. She has recently adopted software and an app from a company called Tend to digitise and streamline laborious tasks, such as tracking harvests and managing crop yields.
“We can use Tend to calculate the quantity of seed that we need to order based on the row feet of a particular crop that we want to harvest,” Lake explains, highlighting the benefits of this technology.
The agricultural tech landscape is rapidly evolving, with companies like Syngenta offering farmers sophisticated tools like Cropwise. This software uses AI and satellite imagery to provide farmers with real-time insights and recommendations, helping them make informed decisions about their crops.
“It can tell the farmer that you need to visit the southeast corner of your field because something is not right about that section, such as a pest outbreak,” says Feroz Sheikh, chief information officer of Syngenta Group.
The potential impact of these technologies extends beyond the farm, with experts suggesting that increased efficiency and reduced crop failures could lead to lower food prices for consumers.
“When farmers get help to avoid crop failure, that could lead to a more controlled farm environment and a reliable and secure food system,” says Heather Darby, an agronomist and soil specialist at the University of Vermont.
As the industry evolves, the divide between younger and older farmers in embracing technology becomes more apparent. Leguee acknowledges this, noting that “some of these farms are multi-million-dollar businesses that are supporting multiple families. We need to embrace technology that works for us.”
The future of farming in North America is undoubtedly tech-driven, and the farmers who are willing to adapt and adopt these innovative solutions are poised to reap the benefits, both for their businesses and the wider community.
