Farming: A bigger learning curve than it used to be

A hundred years ago, farmers were still using horses to get their work done. It’s hard to imagine that, when you see today’s fields, packed with high-tech machinery and computers doing the navigating instead of the farmer’s seasoned eye.

Over the past century, agriculture has hit some major milestones, from commercial fertilizers and hybrid corn to GMOs. But the real game-changer has been the evolution of tractors and implements.

Nowadays, precision is everything. Each seed is planted at just the right distance and depth, with sensors on every row keeping track and sending updates to the cab. If something’s off, the farmer knows right away. Planters use pneumatic downforce to keep the pressure just right, adjusting on the fly based on how firm the ground is.

Spraying tech has also come a long way. Modern sprayers can shut off row by row to avoid over spraying and can even target just the weeds, leaving the bare ground alone. This means farmers can use less herbicide while still getting the job done.