News

From seeds developed through biotechnology to "eye in the sky" cameras pinpointing irrigation or pesticide needs, the world of agriculture has come a long way from a man, a horse and a bag of seed.

Farmers overseeing their fields and barns via computer monitor no longer is a far-fetched notion. Remote control, robotics and computers all are becoming involved in the tasks of planting seeds, feeding livestock and irrigating fields.

While farmers still pride themselves on their calluses -- and many still spend sun-up to sundown with their heels and their hands in the dirt -- technology has arrived in the world of agriculture. But the degree and expense of participation is a decision made by individual farmers.

"It all comes down to farmers trying to be more efficient with their time, their labor, their equipment and their money," said Robert Oberheim, manager of Ag Progress Days, an annual event sponsored by Penn State's College of Agricultural Sciences.

The three-day event held last month in Rock Springs exhibited the latest research and management practices and introduced visitors to new equipment and technology.

What's new on the horizon, Oberheim said, is increased computerization. Computers are used to help planters accurately record and monitor plant population and seed placement.

To farmers, Oberheim said, "That means money. It will reduce wasted seed and it should also increase accuracy in plant population."

Depending on how many acres are being farmed, some equipment's cost can be returned in one or two years, he said.

"More units are available from different companies now, and that should help drive the cost down."

Harvesting is another area in which agriculture is being introduced to computerization. Tasks can vary from determining the moisture in the hay being baled to the moisture in the yield of the grain crop being harvested.

"Again, this means more money for the farmer, in that he is running the machine to maximum efficiency by use of the computer," Oberheim said. "In the past, he would have done it manually, stopping the machine, going in back of the combine, then making changes manually. He can now change the settings from the cab."

Technology will continue to play a big part in farming, Oberheim predicted.

"Almost everything I've talked about has come to the Midwest first," he said, "and is working its way to the East."

All of these advances in farming, he said, are for the greater good of the farmer.

"The goal of technology is to make the farmer more profitable," he said.

Oberheim actively crop farms throughout the growing season. Farmers talk to him about new advances and share their opinions. A trend now is for farmers to share the costs of expensive equipment or to hire someone to perform a service with a particular piece of machinery.

"It can be cheaper if the farmer does not have to invest $50,000 or $100,000 for a piece of equipment, but can spend $5,000 to have the job done."

Although it is not widespread, there a few farms in Pennsylvania putting robotic milking to use, he said. While it can represent a $100,000 investment, robotic milking eliminates one of the dairy farmers biggest chores and reduces labor needs.

"The cow accesses the robotic milker on its own," Oberheim said. "It's manless."

IMAGES OF FARMING

Ag Progress Days is a good source of information for Don Fretts, director of the Fayette County Cooperative Extension Agency. He attends the event, then updates area farmers through newsletters.

Robotic milking is being looked at locally, he said, but the system is most appealing, and financially justified, for herds numbering 200 and up. Computer feeders, in which cows wear a chip that determines how much feed they are to be given, are more common.

"Most commercial operators, livestock, dairy or whatever," he said, "are using computer technology to balance feed."

Global positioning systems also are being discussed.

"But with our small fields, it's a real challenge to be cost-effective, for one thing," he said.

GPS, a satellite navigation system, picks up transmitted codes and can help farmers map their fields, track harvest records, direct trucks and determine work schedules.

Nutrient Solutions in Agriculture in Lebanon County specializes in bringing evolving technology to the fields.

GPS receivers and light bars, spokesman Marty Campfield said, can guide application vehicles, reducing overlap and improving the accuracy of application. GPS receivers also help farmers determine which specific locations require fertilizer, weed control and water.

"There is less product waste and more profit for everyone involved," Campfield said.

The company also uses mapping software so producers can record what they've grown and what they've applied, from seed to fertilizer to crop protection chemicals. A computer system links directly to maps of individual fields.

"They can literally just click on a field to instantly see the history of everything they've done there," Campfield said.

The company also offers aerial photography for mapping, through a geographical information software package, to trace the boundaries of fields and farms.

"They can accurately obtain acreages and square footages and thereby make calculations for seed and fertilizer," he said.

Campfield said the costs for such services are "coming down all the time."

"We are moving toward robotics," he said. "We have a system called 'auto steer,' where the driver's hands are free until he reaches the end of the field and turns."

That option is attractive for farmers who use their cabs as impromptu offices because they can make cell phone calls and answer e-mail while driving, he said.

HIGH TECH MULTITASKING

Louie Diamond has incorporated computerization into running his Nicholson Township, Fayette County, dairy farm. Although the technology is not brand new -- he's had it for about five years -- he believes his farm is one of the few in the area with a "sort gate" system. He attributed that to both the expense and the fact that most smaller farms would not have need for the system.

With 400 cows, being able to track animals -- and basically stop one in its tracks -- is a time-saver for him.

Cows wear transponders around their necks to identify them. If Diamond wants to stop a cow for breeding purposes or to provide medical help, he can program the gate to identify her, close around her, direct her into a holding pen and allow the rest of the cows to proceed through the barn.

"I don't even have to be in the barn," Diamond said. "I can set it for (milking time). She'll be waiting for me in the morning."

The system's ability to keep computerized records of a cow's breeding history and milking production has cut down on paperwork.

"We use it every day," he said. "I don't know what we would do without it. I'm sure it's paid for itself over time."

Another new technique in farming is high tunnel production, which several area extension agents described as basically a hybrid of a plastic covered greenhouse. Its benefit is an extension of the growing season, particularly for high cash value crops.

Penn State has developed an aggressive education program to acquaint its extension agencies with the technology, and in turn pass it on to growers, students, master gardeners and the public.

Generally Quonset-shaped, the tunnels are constructed of metal bows and metal posts. In addition to providing frost protection, they can elevate temperatures significantly enough to increase planting harvesting times.

The tunnels have water service for crop irrigation, but no electrical service or heating system. Ventilation is provided by rolling up the plastic sides.

In Somerset County, a group of Amish growers have put the high tunnels to use.

Miguel Saviroff, extension educator with the Somerset County Cooperative Extension Agency, said the group grows tomatoes, cabbages, other vegetables and flowers.

"It helps extend Somerset County's 120-day growing season," he said.

LABORATORY INTERVENTION

Some Somerset-area farmers also are using Roundup Ready corn, a genetically engineered seed manufactured to be resistant to the herbicide of that name.

The company that markets Roundup-resistant crop seeds has sparked a bit of a controversy on the Internet. Some sites accuse Monsanto of producing a product that allows it to sell more of its herbicide. Monsanto has for several years produced corn, soybeans, cotton and canola seeds it promotes as "herbicide-tolerant" and "insect-protected."

Saviroff said he has seen some of the corn crop grown with the "designer" seeds.

"And they look beautiful," he said. "The plants are growing so tall and strong."

Farmers often seek out varieties of produce seed based on genetics, Saviroff said, looking for those that will resist what some perceive as a necessary evil -- weed killers and insecticides.

According to the Monsanto Web site, the company has received review clearances for its Roundup Ready seeds from the USDA and the FDA.

Fred Slezak, who operates the family-run Lone Maple Farms near Crabtree, has planted Roundup Ready corn for several years. It's both a labor and time saver, he said.

"In addition to everything else, we (farmers) have a labor shortage," he said. That's driving the technology."

Slezak tries to temper his enthusiasm for technology with caution.

Roundup, he said, is probably the most used herbicide on the market. While it works well, he said, its increased use means an increased opportunity for resistance to develop.

But one benefit may be elimination of chemicals seeping into water sources.

"My understanding is that once (Roundup) hits the soil, it's basically inactivated," he said. "We should have less pesticide going into the ground or surface water. I think that's important for everyone."

He said primary opposition to the product several years ago came from the European market.

"The European market is very protective of its agricultural industry," Slezak said.

His opinion is that opposing the genetically engineered produce allowed some Europeans markets to block some U.S. imports.

Slezak, who owns 400 acres and leases several hundred more, grows soybean, oats, wheat and barley, but corn is his main crop.

The cheapest price for a bag of traditional corn seed might be $50, Slezak said. Roundup Ready sells for about twice that.

"I think it's a bargain," he said. "I used to never say I could guarantee something. ... This is the closest we've ever come to guaranteeing weed control.

"We've had some ups and downs with genetic engineering," he said. "But I really see a lot of potential here."

EXTRA HANDS

In his Hothouse Floral greenhouse, owner Gene Hudock has for several years used a Hamilton robotic transplanter. It speeds delivery of seedlings from flat to soil and reduces labor needed for the task by more than half.

The South Strabane Township, Washington County, operator installed the system several years ago, at a cost of $45,000.

"This is more efficient and quicker than we humans are," Hudock said. "And it's hard to find people to work."

The transplanter can empty a flat in minutes, a task that might take a laborer hours. The system is not very common yet in the industry because not all growers see it as cost effective, he said.

"You have to modernize just to stay competitive," he said.

The transplanter was damaged in flooding last year and has not yet been repaired. Hudock misses its workhorse presence at his 50,000-square-foot business.

In the past, he said, five to seven workers stood by conveyor belts and manually transplanted the flats' contents. Now two people can do the job.

"It's a really efficient machine," said Guy Metzger, extension agent for Armstrong County. "I think that's probably the (greenhouse industry's) cutting edge. ... Our (Penn State's) philosophy in teaching people to use this is ... it's better management."

ABSENTEE FARMING?

Brian Snyder, executive director of Pennsylvania Association for Sustainable Agriculture, sees the result of some technological developments as "taking the farmer away from the process."

PASA is a nonprofit organization of consumers and farmers dedicated to saving family farming. Its members count among their concerns preservation of natural resources and the environment.

"My bias would not be that high technology would make farming better in general," Snyder said.

Advances such as robotic milking may make the process easier.

"Does it make a farm more profitable? That's questionable," he said.

Financial investment in certain equipment for an operation dependent upon volatile milk prices can result in debt-ridden farmers, he said.

Snyder said one PASA member, a Mercer County resident, recently installed a solar-powered irrigation system funded through a Department of Environmental Protection grant. While solar power itself may not be new, Darrell Frey's application "makes a lot of sense," Snyder said.

"The sun is always there. If it's not, we have a bigger problem. But it can be a bit of a hedge against (increasing) electricity prices."

Snyder said GPS farming may not be very beneficial in the East because the fields are not as flat and open as in other areas. And the benefit of some technology -- freeing up a farmer for other tasks -- raises food safety issues, he added.

"Machines just do what they are told," he said. "If they are told by mistake to do something wrong and nobody is there to monitor it, it just goes on and on. ... Mistakes result from the removal of farmers from farms.

"Technological advances are often helpful to farmers. That needs to be said. But a lot of that farming is being pushed by those making that technology."

• Most Read
• Most E-mailed
• Latest News