Modern Technological Aspects of a Successful Family Farm
Family farms are an excellent way to generate a profit off of one’s very own land. Modern farming is vastly different from how it was in centuries past, as a single family can prepare, manage, and harvest from significantly more land with modern technology. With tractors, electronic processing equipment, and greenhouses that can grow plants all year long, families are able to generate a profit out of every corner of their property with minimal help.
Tractors & Attachments
Tractors are, by far and large, one of the most beneficial pieces of equipment on a farm. They are able to clear and prepare land, transport large loads across the property, plant crops, harvest crops, and move feed. Along with the plow and seed driller, the double bale hay spear is a crucial piece of equipment. It allows the farmer to move hay between fields, barns, and livestock pastures easily and conveniently. Without a tractor, a family would only be able to manage a small fraction of the property without hiring several farmhands.
Artificial Lighting & Heating
Greenhouses, grow lights, and artificial heating allow a farm to grow crops during the cooler months, when frost would otherwise kill a growing crop. This presents a farm with another opportunity to generate income from fresh produce, which will command a higher price at market during the winter season. There is also the option to grow seedlings for the upcoming growing season and sell them to home gardeners who prefer to purchase plant starts over seeds.
Home Diagnostic Tools
From soil and water testing to livestock pregnancy and parasite testing, farmers have the ability to identify issues before they become widespread problems throughout the farm. These modern technologies can identify soil deficiencies before crops fail, parasites before milk production drops or livestock mortality rates increase, and infertility of herd sires before it is too late to replace them. All of these problems could have disastrous effects on the farm’s revenue.
As agricultural technology continues to advance, farmers will gain far more control over their family farms and the revenue that they are able to generate; largely through increased productivity and reduced livestock mortality and crop failure.