Thomcat Leasing logo

Get the Financing
You Need Today

Apply Now!
Secure 5 Minute Online Lease Application

Call us toll free:

1-877-THOMCAT
(1-877-846-6228)
  • Home
  • Equipment Leasing
    • The You Find It! We Finance It! Lease
    • Leasing Benefits
    • Service Promise
    • Leasable Equipment
    • Tips & Advice
    • Leasing Guide
    • Apply Now
  • Support
    • Contact Us
    • 60 Second Lease Estimate
    • Get Pre-Approved
    • Inquire About Your Current Lease
    • Apply Now
  • Equipment Resellers
    • Equipment Reseller Program
    • Equipment Reseller Toolkit
    • Create Reseller Profile
  • About Us
  • Contact Us

6 Latest Technological Advances in Farming

July 20, 2017 by Darryl Stroink

6 Latest Technological Advances in Farming

Staying Competitive in the Agricultural Industry

Technology in agriculture has made huge strides in the last two decades. Many Canadian farmers who embrace technological advances are able to manage more land on their own. This is possible mostly through advances in equipment that continues to progress.

Now, one farmer is able to cultivate massive areas of land where many were needed in decades past. As a result, to grow your farm and business, you’ll want to keep up with the latest equipment.

Here are 6 major technological advances in the agricultural sector of which you should take note:

1. Telematics

Telematics technology can monitor equipment using cellular modems. This allows the operator to check its location, fuel levels, and whether it needs service or is about to break down. More and more, telematics are being offered as standard equipment on tractors, combines, and sprayers.

Telematics is revolutionizing the farming industry as it allows farmers to be more efficient and cut costs by:

  • Allowing the operator to monitor the equipment remotely in real time
  • Accessing a history of previous locations
  • Recording machine performance data
  • Alerting owners/dealers when problems occur
  • Texting/emailing alerts when vehicles leave geo-fence boundaries or start outside of curfew hours
  • Monitoring engine rpm and fuel levels
  • Capturing the weight and location of each bale
  • Aiding in field efficiency analysis
  • Allowing operators to track drones

2. Unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV) or drones

UAV Camera Drone Flying in SkyDrones are quickly becoming an invaluable asset to the farming industry. They provide farmers with the ability to obtain data on hundreds of hectares of land in a single flight.

With drones, farmers can often boost yields and cut costs. This is done with maps created from the numerous photos and data obtained on their unmanned flights. These maps give farmers the ability to quickly pinpoint problem areas so they can be addressed and fixed before they become a huge issue.

Drones can also provide:

  • Early analysis of soil and tillage
  • Aid in irrigation management
  • Observe growth variability
  • Assess and observe nitrogen needs
  • Assess machinery performance

As farms continue to grow in size, farmers will increasingly need to depend on drones to remain competitive as they essentially give farmers the ability to review large areas of land very quickly.

3. Soil Compaction

Tractors Tire Tracks in Clay Showing Soil CompactionThe farming industry is realizing the full weight soil compaction is playing in soil degradation. As the soil is pressed down from heavy machinery it leads to erosion. This compact soil is pressed together reducing the size of pore space that would normally hold water and air.

As a result, there has been an increase in demand for lighter machinery and a larger footprint that creates a wider weight displacement.

To accommodate this demand, equipment construction has shifted from steel to aluminum which, although it is much lighter, can still withstand the heavy toll of farm work.

As well, machines are also switching to either high-flex tires or to tracks which not only create this larger footprint, but offer better traction and pulling power.

4. Hybrid tractors

As fuel costs continue to rise, hybrid tractors are gaining popularity in the industry. In addition, they often weigh less, which helps reduce soil compaction.

Other benefits include:

  • Better fuel economy (can return up to 50% in fuel savings).
  • Increased productivity as they can be finely tuned which reduces crop damage.
  • Longer service life with minimal to no repairs and less stress on the vehicle.

5. Variable-Rate Irrigation (VRI)

This technology allows farmers to irrigate with precision. Rather than accidentally wasting water on drainage ditches, boggy areas, or buildings, farmers are able to customize their systems based on topography information, soil data maps, crops planted, and yield data. There is also the ability to quickly make changes remotely based on the changing needs in the field.

This enhanced precision can:

  • Increase the profitability of crop yields
  • Aid in maintaining the health of the plant
  • Reduce runoff which has been known to decrease the nutrients in the soil
  • Conserve water
  • Increase water and chemical application efficiency

6. Autonomous Technology

Grain Havester in a Wheat FieldIt’s a new age in agriculture as it sits on the cusp of an automated revolution. Tractors are becoming available with the ability to operate without a driver. They rely on sensors, cameras, radar, GPS, and guidance equipment to navigate through a field, often with more precision than would be capable with a human operator.

The operator can oversee production and issue commands to the tractor. This will enable multiple machines to operate in a field increasing efficiency and the level of safety for farmers who are not working in such close proximity to large, moving equipment.

Get Modern Technology Working for You

As consumers increasingly demand sustainability practices and a growing population calls for increased productivity, farmers will continue to need to evolve with the growing technology available to them.

Unfortunately, farming equipment can be expensive.

Thomcat Leasing is here to help. We make new technology accessible and affordable to farmers through lease to own programs. You can start using the full value of your equipment and technology, while only maintaining a low monthly payment.

Payments are even flexible! And can be structured to match your natural cash flow seasons.

Click here to see just how affordable your payments can be!

Get a 60 Second Lease Estimate!

Filed Under: Business Advice

3 Easy Steps to Affordable Equipment Financing

Step 1 - Find It!
Go shopping.
New or used equipment.
Step 2 - Discover

See how affordable Lease Financing is :

Get My Lease Estimate Now
Step 3 - Finance It!
Start My 5 Minute Online Application

What Our Clients Say

After trying a few different leasing companies and being completely frustrated there is no looking back with Thomcat. My first lease with them sums it all up. Within 24 hours two used equipment leases were done.
– Ryan Mateychuck, Mateychuck Farm Sales – MB, Canada

Thomcat Leasing is a CFLA Member

Are You Selling Equipment?

You can sell your equipment faster and avoid sticker shock by offering your buyers a Thomcat Leasing solution. If you're an equipment reseller, this program is just for you.

Equipment Reseller Program →

Connect with us

Phone Thomcat Leasing Phone:
1-877-846-6228
250-590-2763

Text:
416-457-6403

Phone Thomcat Leasing Email:
info@thomcatleasing.ca

Facebook
Google

Quick Links

  • Home
  • About Us
  • Tips & Advice
  • Contact us

Leasing

  • You Find It! We Finance It! Lease
  • Small Business Lease Guide
  • Leasing Benefits
  • Service Promise

Equipment

  • Leasable Equipment
  • Equipment Resellers
  • Apply now!

Get Started Today

  • Inquire about your current lease
  • Get a Quick Lease Estimate
  • Apply now!

Terms & Conditions | Privacy Policy

Copyright © 2023 Thomcat Equipment Ltd. | All Rights Reserved
859 Station Ave., Victoria, BC  V9B 2S2

Website by: devEdge Internet Marketing