Are New Technology and High Entry Costs Putting Farmers Out to Pasture?
- Posted on September 24, 2011 at 5:36pm by
Liz Klimas
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Recent reports are showing a changing demographic in agricultural fields. Younger farmers are finding it harder to get an operation started than in past decades, and new technology completely automate tractor driving, eliminating some need for farmers in the field.
First, about the technology. Until now, automated tractors didn’t hold a candle to human capacity when it came to working the fields. It takes a lot of skill and precision wield a tractor with farming accessories hitched onto it. But now, the technology has improved precision of autonomous tractors, which could make them a more cost-effective alternative than an actual farmer.
Erik Hostens, project engineer for Flanders’ Mechatronics Technology Centre, describes the complexity of creating a self-operating tractor that operated with the accuracy as one driven by a farmer (via Science Daily):
“Only experienced tractor operators have the skills needed to work a field with precision,” [said Erik Hostens, project engineer for Flanders' Mechatronics Technology Centre]. The job of an operator is really quite complex: he observes the tractor’s current position, makes a judgement based on terrain conditions and the route to be followed, and, based on all this, decides the speed and orientation of the tractor. All these actions had to be integrated into the automated steering system. The system registers positional changes in real-time with a GPS and adjusts itself accordingly.”
Popular Science also reported that another company — Jaybridge robotics, in partnership with farm equipment manufacturer, Kinze — had created a similar automated tractor. This tractor would specifically be used by corn and soy row farmers during harvest. The tractor drives alongside a combine collecting the harvested crop.
Watch how it works:
And here’s a more technical explanation of the technology:
In addition to new technology changing who‘s in and who’s out of fields,the number of older farmers is growing with few young people building operations, even if they want to. NPR reports that high entry costs to start a farming operation and lack of loans are creating stopping blocks for those interested in the farm business. NPR describes the situation:
Matt Wildman [... is] a 22-year-old University of Nebraska student about to graduate with a degree in agriculture economics. He wants to land a job with an agriculture company or start his own fertilizer business.
“The biggest challenge, at least in my position coming out of college with no assets to my name, pretty much, no money, and trying to get a loan for $50,000 or $80,000 or more just to start a business — it’s not going to happen unless you have a co-signer,” Wildman says. “My parents are willing to co-sign on something right now, but it‘s got to be something that’s going to [have] cash flow itself — it’s got to be able to work.”
Veteran farmer Haser says most of his money is tied up in his operation and not accessible, so he has sage advice for any new farmer.
“If you want to die rich, then become a farmer, because that‘s about all you’re going to do as far as on the rich factor, is you’re going to die that way,” he says.
According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, the number of farmers under the age of 35 is down 33 percent in the last decade. The number of farmers age 60 and older has grown 19 percent.
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Comments (64)
LowTechBackup
Posted on September 25, 2011 at 7:13amlet’s see, “facts” about farms and the farm industry from NPR. do ya think the writers at npr ever left their computer screens in DC and NYC to “report” on the farm industry? after all, npr never lets the facts distract them from their agenda. the original title of this content was – “how can we trash an industry that supports hard-working, rural, traditional values people that likely vote republican? “
Report Post »piper60
Posted on September 25, 2011 at 8:53amAmen, and amen.
Report Post »Ohello
Posted on September 25, 2011 at 12:31amGuys, All the farmers need to trade in their tractors for plow horses. like the Amish. You know the reason why, don’t you? Iran (Russia), North Korea (China), have missiles with EMP war heads. 1 EMP over Kansas means no more tractors, or trucks, and no more food. Except the food the Amish make.
Won’t be long now the Mahadi is due back in town next year.
Report Post »UnreconstructedLibertarian
Posted on September 25, 2011 at 10:39amAn EMP attack would take out anything dependent on a computer chip. Most tractors and field equipment made ‘95 and back have none. The ones that will be “dead in the water” are the most recent computer controlled diesel injection systems. This goes for farm tractors and road tractors alike. Passenger cars and trucks – you‘d have to get something made back in the 70’s with zero electronics.
Of course, when the fuel is gone – we’re back to the purest form of horse power – actual horses.
For sentimental reasons, I’ve kept alot of older farm equipment around and still use it. If things got tough, I could sell off the newer stuff and retreat to the older stuff (zero overhead). Now, with the possibility of EMP attacks – that older technology is looking pretty smart for new reasons.
I‘m more concerned about our military’s dependence on ultra-high tech. Not to mention the entire power and communications grids.
Report Post »IAmJustOld
Posted on September 24, 2011 at 11:39pmWell you got to admit , it does wonders for the employment problem…. NOT.
Report Post »yougottabekidding
Posted on September 25, 2011 at 3:09pmAnybody see a correlation between this and DOT requiring a CDL for farm equipment?
Report Post »KICKILLEGALSOUT
Posted on September 24, 2011 at 11:16pmWith the invention of modern tractors and equipment we made huge gains in agricultural productivity and that was because energy was cheap. For many years we have only made small incremental gains in technology that increase production but energy costs have “necessarily increased” so it easily has eaten those gains. Populations continue to increase but productivity does not, energy prices continue to increase and the age of cheap electricity is over unless some huge breakthrough is made.
It is because of this too that our corrupt politicians and crimmigration groups will continue to push for amnesty and mass foreign migration to America. Soon you will start seeing more and more foreigners like Chinese buying huge tracts of land in the US, it’s already happening and then they will want to migrate Chinese farmers to do the work under the table and then the food produced will be shipped to China. This not only will add to the immigrant population in the US but will continue to rob American citizens of their own countries resources. Our politicians should put a ban on foreign land ownership in the USA immediately!
Report Post »Ohello
Posted on September 25, 2011 at 12:35amAutomation in farming is just one more reason to close the borders, and send back illegals to their own country.
Report Post »mrbuff1959
Posted on September 25, 2011 at 1:53amI am with you amen.
Report Post »Harold B
Posted on September 24, 2011 at 10:58pmI planned on going into farming. Buy some land don’t plant or grow anything and line myself up to have the government pay me not to raise food. My plan failed because I didn’t have the money to purchace a politician
Report Post »mr.goodvibe
Posted on September 25, 2011 at 10:02amYou forgot to join the co-op
Report Post »standingfree
Posted on September 24, 2011 at 10:56pmI don’t think technology and high costs are the limiting factors for beginning farmers. Government regulations and taxation policies are designed as a hedge to keep poor people out of the industry. Thousands of regulations make it impossible to direct market dairy and poultry. A small family enterprise that of necessity operates debt free has to compete with neighbors who get tax deductions for their high risk investments. “The game is rigged to keep the small operators in their place without much hope.
Report Post »Harold B
Posted on September 24, 2011 at 10:50pmIt is only proper for the department to make farming and agriculture unprofitable so it can be reduced to a very few small farms that will reduce the cost of regulations. Mexico and Argentina can become America‘s farmers but with taxes and regulation handicapping America’s farmers the Mexican and Argentine farmers will sell their food in other markets as socialist America achieves universal poverty the money to buy luxury items like tomato sauce and canned mackeral will be limited to special holidays like the 4th of July, when George Washington led the American revolution for a just and socialist communial state.
Report Post »TreeTrimmerJim
Posted on September 24, 2011 at 9:56pmThe Department of Education has standardized tests that produce standardized students. We have non standardized farms needing non standardized workers. We have thousands of non standardized rural communities needing non standardized entrepreneurs, workers and managers. We have an aging farm owner population seeking replacements that our nation’s educational system is not producing.
The Department of Education need to be removed from the federal government.
There are 3,000,000 farmers and over 100,000 in the Department of Agriculture, a 30 to 1 ratio. How is the Department of Agriculture helping our nation’s farming industry? More regulations help the Department of Agriculture justify their jobs and make farming more difficult.
Report Post »timej31
Posted on September 24, 2011 at 9:50pmI love it. Support it. Want more of it. Anything we can do to eliminate jobs of the proletariat. Self service check out. Eliminate tollbooth clerks. Fast food workers. Auto workers. All of it. This technology grows in leaps faster and faster, bigger and bigger leaps every few years. Email / online bill pay / eliminate postal workers, etc. Love it. I hope trains and grain processing become totally autonomous.
Report Post »cknapp
Posted on September 24, 2011 at 11:30pmIn case you have not heard, we left the Industrial Revolution, we are now in what I call the “Digital, Information, Entertainment Consumption” Revolution.
Now we just have to figure out how to re-do the tax code…Go Herman Cain 9 9 9….instead of using an 80 year old tax code predicated on the idea we are an Industrial Nation (at that time we were).
You are welcome for the enlightenment.
Craig Knapp
Report Post »Age 50
Posting anonymously is for wimps
craig d@t knapp1 at y@hoo d@t com
Heck62
Posted on September 24, 2011 at 9:03pmI’m a farmer,where is my million dollars?
Report Post »freedomcatcher
Posted on September 24, 2011 at 8:56pmA propaganda scheme, It was called the cheap food policy, AKA a chichen in every pot, FDR and all the progressives. Cheap food is just a euphemism for stealing.
Report Post »IMCHRISTIAN
Posted on September 24, 2011 at 8:47pmI hope the next administration really looks into the unnecessary regulations and Obamacare is corrected before it cost lives and to much money.
Report Post »ObserverOnTheHill
Posted on September 24, 2011 at 8:22pmRead the book “Seeds of Destruction” and discover how MONSANTO is destroying the farmer. Farmers in INDIA are committing suicide by drinking “round up” as the results have been the exact opposite of what Monsanto sells. Educate yourself about MONSANTO and the ultimate control of the entire world’s food supply and you will realize it is no exaggeration when I say it is the MOST EVIL COMPANY IN THE WORLD.
Report Post »SlimnRanger
Posted on September 24, 2011 at 8:53pmBuy and store heirloom seeds that will reproduce,do not buy engenered seeds,help put Monsanto out of business .
Report Post »TomFerrari
Posted on September 24, 2011 at 11:17pmHear HEAR on the big bad nasty monsanto !!!
Report Post »Drakkhanlord
Posted on September 24, 2011 at 8:01pmsorry for multiples …have flagged
Report Post »Drakkhanlord
Posted on September 24, 2011 at 7:58pmSearch for the… Ten Planks of the Com munist man ifesto…
Shows all that the Govt (and buddies) have been doing to America.
Ha te to say this …but we need to pull together as a Nation or we are TOAST…
Report Post »Drakkhanlord
Posted on September 24, 2011 at 8:00pmsorry for multiple posts have flagged them
Report Post »Lunertic
Posted on September 24, 2011 at 7:52pmErik Hostens is kidding right? What did Pre-Tractor Farmers do? Say GEE or HAW as they checked the GPS between their mules ears? Please.
Report Post »Obamas Jobs Bill calls for cutting Farmers Subsides. BTW one CUT not even being considered is the PAY and BENEFITS for Congress. Allof you who are old enough to remember the Mom and Pop Ga Stations pleading with us NOT to patronize the Big NEW Old Companies Gas Stations remembers what happened when WE didn’t listen. Mom and Pop went under and gasoline prices Sky Rocketed. We don’t want the Big Food Processors/Distributors doing the Farming. Wake Up America!!!!
RiseUp_Or_ShutUp
Posted on September 24, 2011 at 7:40pmMmmmm, no wonder our government passed a bill required any one who operates a tractor to obtain a license at the farm.
Report Post »Do The Right Thing
Posted on September 26, 2011 at 11:32pmWHAT!!!!!!!!! When did this happen?? Surely this is a State law, right??
Report Post »thinkingoutloud
Posted on September 24, 2011 at 7:31pmThis systematic attack on farmers is all part of Agenda 21, just like Photography Czar stated. Mega Agri Business coupled with Monsanto are corrupting the food in this country through GMOs and utilization of round up ready crops. This GMO seed monopoly of terminator seeds ensure no dust occurs in farming and that seed can not reproduce for the next years crops. Check out “Farm Wars” on the web and “Natural News” . Small farmers are being atteacked by the EPA for creating “dust” while farming. GMO fed hogs have been found to develop “leaky gut”. GMOs have never been tested, however the American public has been eating certain GMO foods since the 90s. I personally do not trust GMO foods, try to buy locally and seek out “heirloom” variety foods. GMO foods are not as nutritionally dense as non GMO counterparts. The Amish are being attacked because they farm naturally and are self sufficient, we can alll learn from them. This administration has allegiance to the UNs Agenda 21, and if your read it , everything that is happening will make sense of the endgame goal of a NWO dominated by corrupt elites and international corporations. When the SHTF we will all wish we had the skills of the Amish.. Sustainable communities mean smart grid meters controlling your electricity use, sardine sized cramped high rise living, no cars,limited land use and no [property rights. Check it out, google Agenda 21.
Report Post »jrode
Posted on September 24, 2011 at 9:40pmYou have hit the nail on the head. Agenda 21 is absolutely true and is going full speed ahead with the Obamao regime. Also, Monsanto (Monsatan) is a very dangerous corporation peddling the GMO seeds. If the business ruining US government wants to do something worth while, they should take a hard look at Monsatan.
Report Post »Meyvn
Posted on September 24, 2011 at 7:04pmProbably and ultimately in will put the whole world out to pasture.
Report Post »photography czar
Posted on September 24, 2011 at 6:28pmAgenda for the 21st Century? Agenda 21 not Area 51. This is not a conspiracy theory. Look up “Sustainable Development” and Check out Agenda 21 on the United Nations Website!! Dnagerous stuff.
Yes times and technologyu changes but…
Report Post »1TrueOne55
Posted on September 24, 2011 at 6:38pmI wonder if they tested this with Light Squared LTE Cell phones enabled…
Report Post »TXPilot
Posted on September 24, 2011 at 6:59pmA farmer doesn’t need thousands of dollars of high-tech gadgets to make a good living. What he needs is to be freed from oppressive government interference and regulation, that has just about ruined the ability for anyone to make it in agriculture today. Government mismanagement has caused farmers the expense of complying with a myriad of regulations and mandates, high costs to deal with, such as fuel, and low crop prices due to decades long manipulation of the markets.
It’s simple……keep the costs low for a farmer, leave him alone and let him do his job, then give him an adequate price for his product and he will do fine.
Report Post »prozach
Posted on September 24, 2011 at 6:26pmMother has no idea what they are talking about. I farm in Iowa and I get alittle under $3000 on a 150 acres. I only farm 150 acres and it does help alittle. That does not make me rich but I would give it up if they asked because I am ok and the goverment is broke. Most farmers live with little money all their life and die with millions of dollars worth of land because if you don’t you have nothing to give your kids and then they can not farm because they can not buy land at $8000 an acre when you work for $20 an hour.
Report Post »jb.kibs
Posted on September 25, 2011 at 1:12amthis is why the estate tax is a total crock…
all this has to end, asap… there are way too many regulations and needless laws…
and there are far too many taxes… if you need money ask for it, ask people to give, if it is a worthy cause, they WILL give… that is how you collect money, by asking, not by force…
the federal government should not even be allowed to collect taxes. it should all be state. the state representatives can figure out how much money each state needs to give for our national expenses, whatever they may be. the states are everything… without them, there is no “united States”, there would be “divided States”… this is our land. not theirs.
Report Post »Flyovergirl
Posted on September 24, 2011 at 6:15pmThis has been going on for 30 plus years. It is all in the plan . Eliminate the family farm, make it very difficult to pass down the farm to your children (private property rights), speculators compete with farmers , inflate the price of land , etc. In a nutshell make us all serfs that work the land and tend the livestock , while the wealthy elite enrich themselves. Kinda has a feudal feel about it. Oh if you take money from the Govt. it comes with strings attached . They tell you to jump and you ask how high.
Report Post »endgamer
Posted on September 24, 2011 at 6:30pmMonsanto, Cargill, Tyson, Swift and many more are the DEVIL!! We need to stop companies that are doing harm to the population and have MORE competition more farmers and keep them local!
Report Post »roundtop
Posted on September 25, 2011 at 12:18amHey Endgamer – You clearly know nothing about farming or feeding the world. When you and your hoe can produce the bushels per acre or the protein needed to feed the world from your nice little family farm, you pass the word along to the rest of us on how you got it done.. But until then we who work for the “devils” will keep on feeding the world!!
Report Post »Snowleopard {gallery of cat folks}
Posted on September 24, 2011 at 5:53pmTimes and business matters do change, you either have to innovate, adapt or go the way of the dinosaurs.
Report Post »http://artinphoenix.com/gallery/grimm (cat folk art)
grandmaof5
Posted on September 24, 2011 at 11:12pmSNOW, don’t tell me automated farm equipment is doing jobs illegal aliens are supposed to be doing. Wasn’t that the premise we were fed to allow them into the country to begin with?
Report Post »Hope all is well with you – miss our chatting.
DEMODUDE823
Posted on September 24, 2011 at 5:50pmThis will create how many jobs?
Report Post »Nick84
Posted on September 25, 2011 at 12:22amWhy does it need to create jobs?
Report Post »motherof18
Posted on September 24, 2011 at 5:41pmThe averqage farm gets one million in government handouts per year, let’s increase that to one hundred million per year per farm. That ought to help them out.
Report Post »OHL
Posted on September 24, 2011 at 6:47pmHilarious motherof18, living on a farm and having relatives who farm, not one of them gets a penny from the government you f-ing moron! Learn the facts before you open your moronic piehole!
Report Post »MyeyesRbleeding
Posted on September 24, 2011 at 7:27pmMotherof18,
Report Post »I am an Illinois corn farmer. Sorry but you are misinformed. The USDA’s biggest layout is for food stamps. The subsidization that farmers received years ago were compensation for government purposely keeping prices below the cost of production so people couldn’t complain about high food prices. The prices you see today are what they would have been if not for government sticking their nose in our business.
P---Revere
Posted on September 25, 2011 at 9:46amI have a 240 acre wheat farm, and have not seen a dime from the government either, for crop damage or anything else (30 yrs). Thus far, I have no intention of having the government micro manage my farm or myself, and that is what happens when they give you money. To think, I could get a cool million from the government and retire. Wow!
Report Post »SDmom
Posted on September 25, 2011 at 12:02pmMYEARSRBLEEDING, thank you. Your explanation was concise and accurate.
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