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“ It ’ s an awesome tool that has allowed huge advances in production ,” he says of genetic engineering .
As consumer resistance is overcome by better information , understanding , and increased demand , biotech and genetics will continue to satisfy the world ’ s need for safe , affordable and high quality food .
‘ flying tractors ’ will cultivate fields , apply nutrients , monitor fields and reduce waste
While it ’ s still early days , the sky is , literally , the limit when it comes to predicting the influence of drone technology on agriculture . These Unmanned Aerial Vehicles , or UAVs , are being likened to flying tractors with the potential to transform agricultural operations in virtually all areas .
Imagine an unmanned mid-sized helicopter , about one-third the size of a normal manned helicopter , and a cherry orchard . Rainwater clinging to the crop risks serious damage to the maturing fruits . As the drone hovers close to the cherry canopy , the downdraft created by the rotation of its wings safely and efficiently disperses the accumulated water .
There ’ s no need to imagine it . Lav R . Khot , an assistant professor at WSU-CPAAS , Biological Systems Engineering , has already tested the technology . Because the water threatens the very thin skins on maturing cherries , growers often hire helicopters to fly low and disperse the water , at considerable expense and risk to the pilots . Khot says an unmanned mid-sized helicopter can get much closer to the crop than manned aircraft , with less cost and no risk to a pilot .
Zhang sees additional potential . UAVs flying at low altitudes can monitor crops , feeding data and images back to the grower . While growers will likely still “ walk the field ,” the aerial view and intense data collection drones can provide will increase in value , adding to the richness of existing yield mapping technology .
One day , he says , small drones may even be used to chase birds away from the orchard to protect blueberries and cherries . Who says farming can ’ t be fun ?
the fields themselves will change to facilitate efficient use of drone and robot technologies
To make efficient use of agtech , growers have begun changing the architecture of the fields , says Jon DeVaney , president of the Washington State Tree Fruit Association . Plant shapes and field design are being altered to improve productivity .
“ People think of orchards as trees , what a child would draw ,” he says . But the modern orchard is more like “ a wall of greenery ,” trellised trees packed in like wine grapes .
“ People think of orchards as trees , what a child would draw . But the modern orchard is more like ‘ a wall of greenery ,’ trellised trees packed in like wine grapes .”
— Jon DeVaney , President , Washington State Tree Fruit Association
The increased densities have led to an increase in the overall crop of 54 percent since 1993 even as total acreage has remained relatively constant .
DeVaney explains that growers can do more with mechanization by creating an even , consistently planted orchard . Ladders may eventually be eliminated entirely as motorized platforms carry workers down the line , allowing them to pick more fruit , more safely and in less time . The cost of the platforms will influence the pace with which they become standard .
While the gains already achieved are impressive , there ’ s more ahead .
robot-assisted harvests will reduce dependence on labor
Stuhlmiller doesn ’ t hesitate when asked what the next big agtech innovation will be .
“ Harvesting ,” he says . “ Getting the most effective mechanical harvester will be transformative .”
The harvest represents the single largest requirement for seasonal labor , which many believe is in uncertain and short supply . And , as the minimum wage goes up and other employment policies take effect , it ’ s increasingly more expensive .
The biggest obstacles to harvesting fresh fruit are damage to the product , speed , efficiency and cost . Zhang says they have had success at reducing damage rates , from 60 percent to 15 percent , but that ’ s still too high . Some efforts get close to a more acceptable 6 percent . Private firms , he says , are making huge strides .
Robotic picking arms pick one apple at a time , using cameras to assess whether the fruit is ready . While the technology exists ,
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