MODERN FARMING
THE NEW FACE OF FARM RISK
Traditional barns still face age-old challenges— fire, windstorms, and liability— but today’ s farmers also have to think about protecting technology and systems that previous generations couldn’ t have imagined:
• Drones & Robotics: Precision agriculture relies on drones, GPS-guided equipment, and robotic milkers. These investments need specialized coverage in case of malfunction, damage, or theft.
• Renewable Energy: More and more farms are installing solar panels and wind turbines. While these create new revenue streams, they also bring unique risks that require proper insurance.
• Diversified Operations: Many family farms now run side ventures— like farm markets, custom work, or agritourism— that don’ t fit into one simple category.
CYBER RISKS ON THE FARM
Today’ s farms aren’ t just mechanical— they’ re digital. Barns run on software, feed systems are computer controlled, and records are stored online. That connectivity makes life easier but also introduces new risks:
• A cyberattack could lock you out of essential farm management software.
• Data breaches could expose sensitive financial or herd information.
• Ransomware could shut down automated systems until a payment is made.
These scenarios aren’ t just“ big city” problems anymore; they’ re realities for rural businesses too. That’ s why many mutuals are now offering cyber insurance, which can help cover costs related to data breaches, system interruptions, or even cyber
8 • MillerInsurance. ca