Out and About - Winter 2021

Out & About environment

Eleanor uses a GPS on the sprayer to map the fields and record data

time. We were finishing our day jobs and drilling into the night to ensure that we got next year’s crop in on time; if the crop isn’t drilled at the right time, then it can be susceptible to weeds, pests, diseases and in extreme cases it can cause crop failure. So, what do we use as farmers to help us work efficiently to get the crops in? If we start with the word automation what comes to mind? Robots? You may have recently seen the hands-free hectare project on BBC Countryfile . The Harper Adams University team have developed

driverless machinery and an entire field produced food solely by directing the machinery from a tablet. While still in its early development we are already using automation in many ways as you can see from this sprayer in the picture. These modern-day machines are already playing a vital role enabling us to work in a more efficient and sustainable way. We introduced a new kind of technology called ‘see and spray’. This uses camera technology to identify colour differentiation within a field. As the sprayer goes through the field, the camera can

detect small weeds only spraying a small area rather than blanket spraying the whole field. This is more cost effective and better for the environment, because we are using less chemicals, reducing the risk of leaching into water courses and the environment. Another technology used is Global Positioning Systems (GPS). This is a little green dish which sits on top of the sprayer/tractor as shown in the pictures. This maps the fields and records data, ie harvest yields. It also allows for yield

mapping and variable rate application to take place as well as steering the tractor without any input from the driver. This allows for precision accuracy and saves time since there is no overlap. So, will autonomous machines be the the future of farming? It will certainly help with the shortage of labour that we are currently facing in the sector and perhaps offer a better work life balance for primary food producers. Maybe one day soon you will see a tractor with no driver, but until then keep giving us a wave.

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O&A WINTER 2021