On the green hills, in the Palouse region of Washington State, lies a 3,035-hectare farm. It belongs to Andrew Nelson, a 41-year-old computer engineer, the last scion of five generations of farmers. It aims to be at the forefront of a comprehensive technological transformation of agricultural practices. He automated his farm from start to finish. AI and automation technologies are disrupting his work with autonomous tractors and precise crop management through data and analytics. His autonomous farm uses sensors to monitor plant health, optimizing resource use and increasing yields. Autonomous tractors and robotic tools, like AI-guided weeders, reduce labor costs and herbicides. Automated robot pickers and drones make it easier to harvest delicate fruits, addressing labor shortages. Remote sensing and image analysis technologies create “digital twins” to detect crop problems and improve interventions. Soil intelligence, thanks to on-site sensors, allows precise management of fields and resources. Virtual fences, with GPS collars, help manage herds while reducing fencing costs.
Source : Bloomberg