GrainsWest Tech 2020

Tech 2020 Grains West 38 DIGITAL OPPORTUNITIES “The connected farm is about using time, equipment and resources more efficiently,” said Shane Thomas, global digital ag lead for Farmers Edge in Calgary. The company develops data- driven technologies to enhance farm efficiency. In this brave new world, Thomas foresees the interconnection of all farm elements such as bins, shops, trucks, equipment, moisture probes and weather stations. “Whether it’s real-time remote monitoring of bins, autonomous fleet management or virtual interaction among farm partners such as agronomists and bankers, the changes will be profound,” said Thomas. “This will bring the ability to manage the farm more like a manufacturing plant because of an acute awareness of what’s happening in every area of the operation and the power to control or automate those areas in the future.” When it comes to making best use of the new technology, every farm is different, so costs and labour requirements will vary. Thomas believes the bottom line is those who put an appropriate amount of effort and expense into the process will get the most out of it. “Maximizing your return from this technology is like a fitness program,” said Thomas. “If you simply put in 30 minutes a day, three days a week at a medium intensity with no trainer, no diet plan and no progression in the routine, your results will be minimal. If you hire a trainer, get a diet plan, go five days a week and research supplements, the results can be massive. The same is true for a connected farm and digital tools. It comes down to identifying your goals and priorities and committing the time to get there.” Perhaps most importantly, connectivity requires a change in mindset from product to system. “We are hard-wired in agriculture to think about inputs on the farm in a linear fashion, where you buy product X, apply it and get a result that is either positive or negative,” said Thomas. In contrast, digitally connected systems will require farmers and other ag professionals to stretch their mindset to embrace a variety of disciplines and longer time horizons, he said. For example, data collected by a piece of farm machinery that is digitally connected to a telematics device may not have direct use in year one. In year two, however, this data may enable the farmer to participate in a sustainability or carbon credit program. Another farmer may look back at collected data to discover a pesticide product was mis-applied. Such data may shed light on why there is carryover As the connected farm becomes a reality, the challenge for certain rural areas remains accessing adequate connection to fully utilize emerging technology. FEATURE