Technology to the Rescue? Will Robots Save The Day in Ag?

There has been a serious labor shortage in agriculture and it is getting worse. On a parallel course is the development of sophisticated robotic tools that assist the smaller labor force. In some ways these new tools are providing better working conditions for farm labor by eliminating a lot of the weed suppression with smart robotic weeders and thinning machines. Tillage, bed preparation, row cultivation, spraying and more applications using computer guidance are becoming available. Growers are streamlining the harvest operation and integrating farm workers into working with these new machines to keep production steady. This workshop will introduce a few of the basic machines in use today and a look at the near future.