BCR_Ag Matters_092822

How to incorporate tech into a farming business

The agricultural industry long has been a vital part of society, providing foods for billions of people across the globe. Farming can be a challenging profession, and farmers routinely find creative solutions to overcome obsta cles to effective production. Thanks to technology, finding solutions has be come that much easier.

Yet not every farmer who is set in his or her ways is ready to welcome changes that incorporate technology right away. In fact, reluctance to turn over operations in some part to artifi cial intelligence or smart technologies could be due in part to farming being such a nuanced skill and the role intu ition plays in the growth of crops. The following are some ways for seasoned and novice farmers to seamlessly in corporate technology into their oper ations.

START WITH PERIPHERAL TECH

Farmers can begin implementing technology that does not directly re late to farming operations. Examples include switching to efficient and in tuitive accounting and payroll systems to save time. If a farm also includes a retail enterprise, such as a farmers market, upgrading point-of-sale tech nology, like credit card readers or

e-commerce websites for new revenue potential, can be good a good starting point.

ASSESS OPERATION WEAKNESSES

Figure out where the business is lacking and could use some help. Perhaps you’re having difficulty main taining adequate irrigation or plant nutrition is compromised due to soil

deficits? Precision automation farm ing advancements that employ remote sensors can assess conditions and fine tune adjustments to alleviate these is sues.

GET TRAINING

Novel technologies can increase crop yield and make for more efficient use of limited resources. However,

people who may never have employed drones, IoT devices or soil sensors can expect a learning curve. Visiting a nearby farm operation to learn how they have implemented technology and gaining hands-on experience can be invaluable. In addition, request that a tech vendor provide thorough in struction on products to make it easier to seamlessly integrate new technol ogy into an agriculture business.

TAP INTO WORKFORCE TALENT

The Food and Agriculture Orga nization of the United Nations says agriculture and food production ac counts for 28 percent of the entire global workforce. There are more than 570 million smallholder farms world wide. Technology can be utilized by agricultural businesses to zero in on intelligent and qualified employees who can take operations to the next level. Websites like Glassdoor, Indeed and ZipRecruiter remain helpful tools when looking for qualified job can didates. The internet is an essential employment resource, and farms can utilize it to acquire new hires.

Agricultural businesses can explore various ways to gradually and seam lessly make technology part of their operations. AG223794

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Career paths in agriculture

As the world population grows, the role of the agricultural sector will be come even more prominent. There should be significant demand for agri cultural professionals capable of meet ing the challenges facing the world as it confronts climate change and food shortages. That makes now a perfect time for students to explore potential career paths in the agricultural sector.

• Agricultural engineer: Agricultural engineers employ engineering prin ciples to solve issues related to agri cultural production. An agricultural engineer may design facilities or ma chinery or develop solutions to ad dress problems related to irrigation and soil conservation, among other projects. Students interested in a ca reer as an agricultural engineer can expect to study mathematics, physics, chemistry, computer engineering, and, of course, engineering analysis and de sign as they pursue their degrees.

• Agronomist: Agronomists work with crops and soil management and may work as analysts, environmental ists or forecasters. Agronomists may be tasked with analyzing soil structure and chemistry and study how water is moving within soil. Students will study agriculture, biology, chemistry, and

physics en route to earning a degree that will help them become an agron omist. Mathematics also will be part of their studies, and statistics courses will be part of those studies.

• Biochemist: Biochemists study the chemical and physical principles of living things and biological pro cesses. Within the agricultural sector, biochemists will contribute to the de velopment of agricultural products, including those that will serve a me dicinal function. Biochemistry, chem istry, biology, calculus, and physics will be part of students’ courseload as they pursue degrees that prepare them for a career as a biochemist.

• Climatologist: Climatologists will figure prominently in the agricultural sector as the effects of climate change manifest themselves more readily over the next several decades. Climatolo gists study climate change, variability and the biosphere. Climatologists offer insight about the effects of climate change on the growth and develop ment of agricultural products, includ ing fruits, grains and vegetables. The natural sciences feature prominently in climatologists’ educations, and stu dents also will study meteorology as part of their coursework.

• Food scientist: Food scientists study chemistry, biochemistry, microbiol ogy, and engineering so they can as sist in the development of new food products. Food scientists may manage processing plants and some serve as researchers in an effort to solve prob lems related to food production.

• Plant pathologist: Plant pathologists specialize in analyzing issues related to plant diseases. Research features prominently in plant pathologists’ work, and many work in university

settings. Some plant pathologists work for companies attempting to develop pest-resistant plants. Advanced de grees are necessary to work as a plant pathologist, and students will study mycology, bacteriology, virology, and physiology, among other subjects, as they pursue their degrees. The agricultural sector employs mil lions of people across the globe. Many of those people do interesting work as they attempt to address issues facing the agricultural sector. AG223792

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Did you know?

Projections from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics indicate the need for agricultural and food scientists will grow by 9 percent between 2020 and 2030. Agricultural and food scientists can work in laboratories, offices and even in the field as they research ways to improve the efficiency and safety of agricultural establishments and products. Projected job openings in the field could be as high as 4,400 opportunities per year, making a career as an agricultural and food scientist one of the more enticing professions in the agriculture industry. AG223789

How to involve more young people in agriculture

The agricultural industry will un dergo exciting changes as it looks to overcome developing challenges in the decades ahead. Technology will continue to play a pivotal role in the agricultural sector, making agricul ture an evolving and exciting career path for young professionals.

Much has been made of projec tions that suggest the world popula tion is increasingly looking to urban areas to call home. Though data from the United Nations indicates urban areas could grow by 2.5 bil lion people by 2050, more recent UN data indicates that 90 percent of that increase will take place in Asia and Africa. All told, estimates indicate that rural areas will remain home to 3.1 billion people by 2050.

A sizable rural population and the challenges climate change and pop ulation growth will present under scores how important the agricultural sector will be in the coming decades. That means there should be plenty

of opportunities for young people to make an impact, especially if more ef forts are made to encourage them to consider careers in agriculture.

• Encourage agriculture-based cur riculum. After recognizing that the majority of Kenyan students had no access to farming training and edu cation, the organization Farm Africa initiated a program to make agricul ture more accessible to students. Stu dents who participated learned about everything from keeping livestock to marketing produce for global markets. Similar programs can be encouraged in developed countries where opportunities in the field of agriculture figure to increase in the years to come.

• Emphasize technological advance ments in the field. Modern young people are growing up with technol ogy all around them, but few may be aware of the vital role technol ogy plays in the agricultural sector. Young people’s ears may perk up

upon hearing terms like “robotics” technologies are now a big part of life on the farm. Recognition of that may compel more young people to pursue careers in agriculture.

• Highlight the challenges ahead and how agricultural professionals can help overcome them. UN projections indi cate the global population will grow by more than two billion people by 2050. Finding a way to feed all of those people in the face of climate change will be no small task, but it’s a task that will require dedicated ag ricultural professionals. Educators and parents can emphasize these challenges when speaking to young people about a career in the agricul tural sector, noting that such careers will present real opportunities to make a difference.

Young people looking for re warding careers in an exciting, ev er-evolving field can be encouraged to consider the agricultural sector. AG223788

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8 sights to see at fall harvest festivals

Just as summertime is synonymous with concerts and carnivals, fall is a prime time for its own opportunities for seasonal entertainment, such as harvest festivals. Certain features over lap between summer carnivals and fall festivals, but the latter offers some unique offerings as well. The follow ing are some things to expect when fall festival season hits full swing.

1. SEASONAL FARE

Many fall harvest festivals are built on the foods harvested in the fall for that region. In Wisconsin, that may be cranberries, while in Massachusetts it could be oysters. Apples also turn up in many areas starting in September. For those who can’t wait to bite into food picked at the peak of its season, a fall harvest festival can’t be beat.

2. WAGON RIDES

Farms and the tools of the farming trade are part of harvest festivals. Wag ons transporting crops are a classic sight, even if they’re no longer heavily relied upon on the farm. Rather than a cargo bed full of corn or apples, har vest festivals tote families around on wagon rides or on hay bale beds towed by tractors.

3. APPLES GALORE

Candied and caramel apples and many other apple products feature prominently at many harvest festi vals. Apple fritters, apple turnovers, apple pies, fried apples, and others are bound to be sold by vendors, along with traditional fair foods, like funnel cakes.

4. CIDER STATIONS

Lemonade stands that are staples of summer give way to hot or cold cider offerings come the fall. Cold ciders

FocusingonourFarmers

are perfect for an unseasonably warm fall day while warm varieties are tai lor-made for days when there’s a chill in the air.

5. PUMPKIN PATCHES

Fall harvest organizers pick and display pumpkins in fields to make it easier for youngsters to find the per fect pumpkin for Halloween carvings.

It’s a sea of orange this time of year, and things may get more colorful with non-edible gourds in shades of white or yellow.

6. LEAF-PEEPING OPPORTUNITIES

Some festivals are geared around chances to view the fall foliage that abounds in primarily rural areas. A mountain or forest backdrop adds vi brant color to any event. Coastal areas may set up fall foliage cruises that let guests see the leaves from a new per spective.

7. CORN MAZES

Fall festivals set up adjacent to or on farms may have corn mazes for the kids. These mazes may be kept up throughout October and repurposed into haunted mazes for older kids looking to get a scare for Halloween.

8. WINE TASTINGS

Many grape varieties are harvested in the fall, so fall harvest festivals may capitalize on that and invite local vine yards to set up tables providing tast ings of their vintages. Vineyards also may host their own fall festivals, fea turing sips and snacks with live music.

Fall offers a host of entertaining festivals geared around the harvest season. These festivals are ideal ways for people to see the sights and nibble on seasonal delights along the way.

TF22A410

Explaining granges and how they affect rural residents

Local granges serve as a center of rural life in many agricultural commu nities. People who live outside such communities may be unfamiliar with granges, including what they are.

The most basic definition of a grange is an outlying farm or land with a manor building on the property. When first developed in 12th century Britain, granges were properties that may have been owned by a lord, who chose to live on the property or leased it to others. Other granges were held by the church, mainly by monasteries.

The grange definition and system was modified when the concept was brought to North America. After the Civil War in the United States, Oli ver Kelley, the commissioner of the Department of Agriculture, realized while touring the region that poor farmers in the South bore the brunt of the war’s devastation. Kelley noted outdated farming practices that were disorganized and largely ineffectual. He considered an organization that could bring farmers together across the country with a spirit of mutual ag ricultural cooperation.

Out of this idea the National Grange of the Order of Patrons of Husbandry (also called The Grange) was established as a nonprofit organization in 1867. The goal was helping rural American fami lies with a strong emphasis on issues

related to agriculture. The first grange (Grange #1) was founded in 1868 in Fre donia, New York. Other granges soon sprung up across the country.

The organization operates on four tiers: community, county or district, state, and national level. It is the oldest American agricultural advocacy group with a national scope. Headquartered in Washington, D.C., it has member ship in the hundreds of thousands. Ac cording to The Grange, their mission is to “strengthen individuals, families and communities through grassroots action, service, education, advocacy, and agriculture awareness.”

In addition to agricultural advocacy, The Grange has been involved with a number of legislative and practical initiatives. For example, it currently is aiming to find ways to reduce the cost of Medicare as well as helping to reform the U.S. Postal Service. It also is advocating for open auctions of spectrum frequencies used for wireless technology to provide greater access to high-speed wireless technology to rural areas. Various Grange halls and centers are located across the country, and these facilities host events and provide gathering spots for families.

Tracing their origins to 12th century Britain, granges remain a central com ponent of agricultural life in the 21st century. TF214875

The basics of vertical farming

Farms often inspire awe thanks to their beauty and the serenity of the areas that surround them. Though no farms may inspire such feelings as strongly as those in the heart of the countryside, another type of farm can induce a sense of awe as well.

Vertical farms vary in size, but the largest ones mimic the appearance of skyscrapers if the skyscrapers were made from plants. According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, in creasing production of fresh greens and vegetables near urban populations will be a necessity in the decades to come. That’s because estimates from the United Nations indicate the global population will exceed nine billion persons by 2050, by which time twothirds of the world’s people will live in urban settings. Vertical farming could be vital to meeting the demands for healthy foods by 2050, making it worth anyone’s while to gain a basic understanding of this unique way to grow fresh fruits and vegetables.

WHAT IS VERTICAL FARMING?

Vertical farming is a type of con trolled environment agriculture (CEA).

According to the New York State En ergy Research and Development Au thority, CEA combines engineering,

plant science and computer-managed greenhouse control technologies to op timize plant growing systems. CEA sys tems enable stable control of the plant environment, making it possible for growers to control temperature, light and CO2 during the growing process.

Vertical farms grow foods in stacked layers, which gives large vertical farms their skyscraper-like appearance. Some vertical farms employ tech

niques similar to greenhouses, utiliz ing natural light when it’s available and augmenting that with artificial lighting to ensure the plants grow re gardless of the conditions outside.

WHAT ARE SOME ADVANTAGES TO VERTICAL FARMING?

Perhaps the biggest advantage to vertical farming is the potential for the practice to meet future food demands

in a way that the USDA deems envi ronmentally responsible and sustain able. Vertical farming operations in urban areas can offer lower emissions because fresh fruits and vegetables will not need to be transported from rural areas to urban locales.

The USDA also notes that vertical farming operations reduce water run off by a considerable margin, helping to conserve water. The Vertical Har vest farm in Jackson, Wyoming, pro duces 100,000 pounds of vegetables per year and uses a fraction of the water of traditional farms with simi lar outputs. Utilizing hydroponics and moving carousels, Vertical Harvest consumes 90 percent less water than traditional farms.

Access to nutrient-rich foods is another benefit to vertical farms. As urban populations grow and climate change affects crop yields, city dwell ers may struggle to procure healthy, nutrient-rich foods like fruits and veg etables. Vertical farming operations that are not vulnerable to climate change can eliminate that concern, ensuring urban populations access to healthy, nutritious foods.

Vertical farms can be awe-inspiring and figure to play a vital role in the future of agriculture. AG223790

Rely on our experts to privately sell or auction your land. We can also assist in purchasing farmland and appraising your current acreage.

Crop yields remain volatile this year

Harvest seasons vary depending on the crop that was planted, but late summer and fall are busy times of year for farmers. And since the pandemic began, farmers have been working overtime to ensure that their goods make it to market on time.

The agricultural sector is affected by a number of variables, including the weather and pests. The pandemic is yet another of those variables, and consum ers may want to know how the many factors that affect the agricultural sector could affect what is and isn’t in the gro cery store in the months to come.

WHEAT PRODUCTS

A variety of factors have affected the availability of wheat-based products. Earlier this year, exceptional drought levels in the midwest — areas with high production of wheat products — coupled with concern about spring rainfall amounts being enough for summer crops to thrive may continue to adversely affect the availability of breads, pastas and other items made from wheat.

Things are not looking better regard ing imported wheat. The ongoing war between Russia and Ukraine, where wheat crops are grown in abundance, is impacting the global wheat market.

Russia, the United States, Canada, France, and Ukraine were the world’s top wheat exporters in 2020, accord ing to Statista. The United Nations reported that 30 to 40 percent of the fall 2022 harvest in Ukraine is at risk, as farmers have been unable to plant crops. This could result in a potential loss of 19 to 34 million tons of ex ported wheat this year.

GRASS SEED

The abundance of spring rain in the Pacific Northwest, as well as areas of Minnesota and Canada, contributed to an expected above-average crop of grass seed. However, the upper mid west crop was forecasted to be a week to two weeks late due to cooler than average temperatures.

Despite an abundance, the Oregon Grass Seed Bargaining Association ex pected that growers will ask for higher prices on seed throughout 2022 for perennial ryegrass and tall fescue due to greater input costs and land rent in creases, among other factors.

CORN PRODUCTS

Later planting dates of corn across the United States corn belt has led to stalled development of the crop in 2022. The University of Nebras

ka-Lincoln’s Crop Watch anticipated near-average levels of corn on irri gated fields. Across rainfed locations, predictions are more uncertain due to weather throughout July and August (which had yet to be documented at press time). While most sites are ex pected to see near-average corn crops, a high probability of below-average yield may occur in Iowa, southwest Nebraska and southern Kansas. Above-average yield may occur in

northwest Missouri and south-cen tral Illinois. Despite more normalized yields, operating costs have climbed, including the costs of nitrogen fertil izer used in corn production, so store prices of corn, corn oil and other corn products may remain high. The agricultural sector continues to make strides to provide products people need. However, various factors have affected the cost and availability of a number of products. TF22A408

AdamKing NateEdlefson

Dan Legner MyronRumbold

Greenhouses effectively extend growing seasons

Modern, large-scale agriculture op erations utilize various machines and technologies to provide products to consumers. Greenhouses are among the resources used to help plants thrive.

Greenhouses are not a new phe nomenon, even if today’s incarna tions have technological upgrades over their ancestors. The first attempts to grow plants in greenhouse-like structures likely date back to ancient Egypt, but there are writings from the Romans as early as 14 BCE explaining greenhouse operations. The Roman emperor Tiberius wanted to eat cu cumbers all year long. Roman win ters would not allow for cucumbers to thrive when temperatures dropped below freezing. Rolling cucumber growing carts into sheds only did so much. Someone came up with the concept of making sheds with sheets of elenite, a transparent rock, to let the sun in and help keep cucumbers growing indoors warm. The idea took off from there.

Greenhouses are comprised of walls and roofing materials primarily made of a transparent material. The interior of a greenhouse exposed to sunlight becomes significantly warmer than the external temperature, helping to protect plants inside from extreme

conditions and enabling plants to thrive even when weather conditions are not optimal. Through the years, greenhouses also may have incorpo rated some form of additional heating.

Keeping plants thriving for commer cial production now gets additional help from computers, as relying on sunlight alone may result in fluctu

What is a smart greenhouse?

Greenhouses are structures that can help hobbyists or professional farmers extend growing seasons and improve yields. Even though traditional greenhouses can improve conditions for growth, certain variables can still affect output. That’s where smart greenhouses come into play. Farming requires reliance on intuition, but also on control of environmental factors like insects, irrigation and light. Smart greenhouses help make conditions more predictable and growing more efficient. The machinery manufacturer Yanmar notes that its Smart Greenhouses enable users to automatically control cultivation methods by customizing temperature, humidity and water levels depending on the crop and cultivar. This alleviates the guessing game on the part of growers and leads to higher yields. Smart greenhouses typically utilize multiple wireless sensors to measure everything from carbon dioxide output to lighting and transmit the information back to a computer. The data is calculated and adjustments to multiple pieces of equipment can be made through the wireless network all from one computer, unlike older systems that required wires and maybe even multiple computers. Smart greenhouses can control additional critical factors, including temperature and ventilation. Overall, an investment in smart technology could save farmers money in the long run. AG223793

ations in optimal conditions. Mod ern, smart greenhouses, according to the cultivation technology company Growlink, employ smart technology for heating, cooling and lighting. This tech is connected to a computer to optimize plant growth conditions. Computers can adjust conditions accordingly for the particular plant

being produced, such as for tropical fruits that require more moisture and heat.

Anyone who desires a greenhouse for personal plant growth can build one in his or her backyard with various plans available for free or purchase. Companies also sell prefab ricated greenhouse kits that can be erected with relative ease.

Handy homeowners also can con struct basic greenhouses with materi als found at many home improvement retailers. A wood frame greenhouse can be built in any size and covered with plastic sheeting. One can pur chase a prefabricated greenhouse door or simply use a sheet of weighted plastic that can be tied out of the way for the door. To allow for ventilation in hot weather, a wood-frame vent that can be propped open can be in corporated into the roof rafter design.

Those who want a more permanent structure may want to look into using greenhouse plastic paneling in lieu of plastic sheeting. Either way, home greenhouses can be as elaborate or as simple as individuals desire.

Greenhouses are effective ways to extend growing seasons for both commercial and home gardeners. AG223791

Crane Schafer

James Scruggs