Autonomy and Farm Labor
Tim Hammerich
News Reporter
As younger generations become less interested in returning back to the family farm, Jeremy Wilson, executive vice president, and COO of AgGateway, says autonomy needs to be used as an advantage to keep those generations excited and active.
Wilson… “Holding onto the steering wheel is not their entertainment anymore like it was when I was 17 years old and I couldn’t wait to get out of school because I got to go sit in a tractor and drive a tractor.”
In addition to adopting technologies, younger generations are more apt to share and release data.
Wilson… “The other thing they’re not afraid of is sharing data. You know this data sharing is part of their life and we got a generation right now that says “Oh by God no it’s mine.”
Wilson also believes artificial intelligence and machine learning can lessen the need for skilled farm laborers.
Wilson… “I don’t necessarily maybe need to have the very best driver, if I can A. keep him entertained and have enough autonomy in that tractor that it does it’s job right that he can watch his Youtube and make sure that my piece of equipment behind it is functioning as it should, knows when to stop and get help whenever we need it. That’s why I still think that’s the next frontier in where I think we’ll see the next advancement as we learn more in artificial intelligence and machine learning.”
This has the potential to change the dynamic of farms today, making jobs easier, less physical, and more attractive to the average employee.
