On Tuesday, many visitors to Washington, D.C. were treated to seeing the famous cherry blossoms at their peak, but they also got a close-up up peek at the latest in remarkable farm technology. “Celebration of Modern Agriculture on the National Mall” was held near the Smithsonian Metro. The event showcased the latest in equipment technology, bio-products, in-field conservation practices, chemistry, plant genetics and …
Smart Phone App Provides Farmers Instant Access to Market Data
The new smart phone app providing farmers instant access to market data. That’s coming up on This Land of Ours. The USDA has launched USDA Market News, a free mobile app designed to give producers quick and easy access to recently published market information right at their fingers tips no matter where they are. Producers can search for markets based …
Florida Senate Backs Effort to Expand Broadband?
The Florida Senate on Thursday (Mar. 3, 2022) unanimously passed a proposal that would create a framework to help expand broadband into underserved areas. Linked bills (SB 1800 and SB 1802), sponsored by Sen. Jim Boyd, R-Bradenton, would establish a program to replace poles to help extend broadband. Sen. Loranne Ausley, a Tallahassee Democrat whose district includes sprawling rural areas, …
Program Working to Deliver State-of-the-Art Plant Science Technology
The program working to deliver state-of-the art plant science technology to meet identified conservation needs. That’s coming up on This Land of Ours. The Brooksville Plant Materials Center is one of 25 Plant Material Centers, strategically located throughout the nation, that are working to deliver state-of-the-art plant science technology to meet identified conservation needs. Located just north of Brooksville, Florida …
Technology that Could be Key in Helping Dairy Farmers
The technology that could be key in helping dairy farmers and the environment at the same time. That’s coming up on This Land of Ours. When dairy farmers need to measure its cow’s Milk Urea Nitrogen – or MUN – samples are sent to labs for analysis. But new technology coming soon could change everything, giving dairy farmers real time …
Driverless Technology Rapidly Rolling Toward Reality
What would have been seen as science fiction a decade ago is quickly becoming reality. In December, autonomous trucking startup TuSimple completed a truck run on the open road without a human in the vehicle. The 80-mile trip on surface roads and highways in Arizona between a rail yard in Tucson and a distribution center in Phoenix was completed successfully. According to …
Deere Introduces First Fully Autonomous Tractor
Deere and Company helped mechanize agriculture with the first commercially successful steel plow in 1837. They recently went in a different direction by unveiling another transformative machine: a fully autonomous john deere tractor. Wired says the new 8R tractor uses six pairs of cameras and advanced artificial intelligence to navigate its environment. It can find its way to a field …
How to Own Your Data and Profit From It
With the rapid development of artificial intelligence, data derived from farms might be more valuable than the crops growers produce. That’s because farmers can make money from their information when companies use it for other purposes, says a University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) scientist. The key for producers is to take ownership of their information. …
Lasers May Be the Future of Weed Control
Carbon Robotics is working on what may be the future of weed control in agriculture. They’re building a rectangular vehicle a little smaller than a compact sedan, which rolls across farmland. While it’s moving, the vehicle shoots concentrated bursts of infrared light into the rows. Observers hear audible crackles and get the distinct smell of burning vegetation as weeds smolder …
USDA-NRCS Providing Technical and Financial Assistance
USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) invites agricultural producers and private landowners to learn more about the various programs they offer. NRCS Chief Terry Cosby says through many of the programs they offer both technical and financial assistance. And NRCS accepts applications for its conservation programs year-round. To learn more, contact your local USDA Service Center, or go to the NRCS website. Sponsored …