Our Tech Farmer magazines aim to bring the most interesting technology content from the UK and the rest of the world to you.
Modern agriculture incorporates a diverse range of technologies to enhance productivity, sustainability and efficiency. Precision farming, utilising GPS technology and Geographic Information Systems (GIS), enables accurate mapping of fields and optimised navigation for farming equipment. Advanced farm management software driven by data analytics and decision support systems, empowers farmers with insights into crop performance and resource allocation. New fungicide and spraying technologies have the ability to reduce the amount of inputs we use while increasing the yields from the crops we grow. At the same time, new varieties are coming to the market all the time and genetic editing (coupled with artificial intelligence) could see step changes in productivity.
Smart equipment, such as precision planting and harvesting machinery, leverages automation and sensor technologies for precise and efficient operations. The Internet of Things (IoT) plays a pivotal role, with sensor networks providing real-time data on soil conditions and smart irrigation systems optimizing water usage. Biotechnology, including genetically modified organisms (GMOs) and CRISPR technology, contributes to crops with enhanced traits. Drones and unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) aid in aerial imaging, pest detection, and targeted application of pesticides. Blockchain technology ensures supply chain traceability, while innovations like vertical farming and hydroponics offer controlled environments for year-round crop production. We expect to see AI change the way varieties are bred and the speed with which we see new technology to the market.
Collectively, these technologies form the building blocks of how of modern agriculture will evolve, promoting profitability, sustainability, productivity and the responsible use of resources.
Latest Tech Farmer Content
Issue 29 Contents
Found In: Inside this issue: Step or Incremental Change: A Strategic Decision Can Tech save…
Step or Incremental Change: A Strategic Decision
When many people think about technology in farming, they envisage the big step changes such…
Can Tech save Carbon from a crisis?
Tom Allen-Stevens travels forward to 2030 and looks for the farmers who would emerge strengthened…
Harnessing the power of the sun
Farming in a greener way generally involves increasing efficiencies in pursuit of the goal for…
A Revolution in Bio-Positive Agriculture
In today’s rapidly evolving landscape, farmers and agricultural professionals are always looking for innovative solutions…
Living up to the SFI and its actions
The SFI offers financial payments to those who adopt variable rate applications, but demonstrating compliance…
Using Farm Tech to Maximise and Manage the Sustainable Farming Incentive (SFI) Opportunity
With harvest wrapping up and the new farming season underway, many farmers are turning their…
In pursuit of pixel perfect
Although artificial intelligence can help achieve wondrous things, it’s only as good as the information…
Agronomist in Focus – Simon Francis
New ‘boots-on-the-ground’ precision farming service A new service makes the benefits of precision farming accessible…
We can benefit from innovation
Our production systems must become more resilient in order to combine productivity, climate protection and…
First look: Innovations that might be on your farm Â
Around 2,500 delegates attended the World AgriTech Innovation Summit in San Francisco in March. Mike…
Ensure Your No-Till Vision is 20/20 with Precision Technology
By Erin Hightower agronomist for RDO Equipment Company Recently, I visited my optometrist for an annual eye…
Learning about machine learning
Written by Chris Fellows Earlier this year, I attended an event in Bury, put on…
Leveraging NDVI for Sustainable Land Management: Enhancing Natural Capital for Farmers and Landowners
Effectively managing natural capital is crucial for optimising land use, conserving soil health, preserving water…
Safety and stewardship with closed transfer systems
By Nick Badger, Frontier Agriculture Modern sprayers are managed by advanced computer systems, equipped with…
Digital Technology Farm Network explores data-driven ‘fields of the future’
Which digital technologies hold the most commercial value for UK farms and how can they…
Patents – how to make them work for you
Farmers are no strangers to innovation. For generations new ways have been found to improve…
Data driven sheep management
A change in circumstances meant Herefordshire-based mixed farmer, William Cawley, had to reassess his system…
Unleashing the Potential of Agri-Tech
Written by Chris Fellows In the realm of agriculture, a technological revolution is underway, reshaping…
It’s 2030 – Has food security improved?
Tom Allen-Stevens travels forward to 2030 and looks back at what progress has been made…
Farmer Focus – Tom Clarke
Write about the future of farming, they said. We’d like your thoughts on the innovations…
The power of diversity
A change in English law now allows certain gene-edited crops to be grown on commercial…
Seeds of a wild idea
Evolution becomes revolution with AI
Foundational artificial intelligence may still be in its infancy, but it’s already being used to…
SFI funding brings precision promise
There are new payments to encourage the uptake of precision farming, and increasingly powerful platforms…
Use Analytics To Identify the Best Investments for Your No-Till Operation
Written by Noah Newman and published by No-Till Farmer, 30 January 2024 Clay Mitchell, no-tiller…
Soil Association Exchange – Building business resilience through measurement
Ben Makowiecki, Agricultural Sustainability Director at Lloyds Bank, sets out the Bank’s ambition and actions…
Feeding the world or seeding unknowns?
Sustainability and Technology Magazine Sponsor
Lloyds Bank are headline sponsor of Direct Driller Technology Magazines. Supporting our aim to help UK farmers adopt more technology and become more sustainable. Creating a unique free resource for farmers during their transition from BPS to the new SFI schemes. Our technology and sustainability editions would not have happened without the support of Lloyds Bank.