A new study has found that the use of autonomous vehicles and equipment in crop production is not only feasible, but it can provide technical and economic benefits to farms across the country.
According to a paper that was published in the magazine Precision Agriculture, medium-sized farms that use this method of production can produce arable crops at close to minimum per unit production levels. A significant boost to the farming and agricultural industry.
The study draws upon the experiences of Harper University’s Hands Free Farm, and is the first of its kind to take a practical look at how robotics can help farms with their crops.
At Treadfirst, we’re experienced in serving clients throughout the agricultural sector and regularly provide their vehicles with a number of products including tractor tyres, agricultural tyres, combine harvester tyres and commercial tyres.
In this article, we’ll take a look at autonomous crop production and the benefits it could bring to farms in the future.
What is Autonomous Crop Production?
Just like Tesla and the like have led the way when it comes to autonomous domestic vehicles, autonomous crop production refers to vehicles that do not need a human being to operate them when out in the fields.
Essentially, it means that farms of the future may be able to make use of self-driving or autonomous vehicles and equipment to perform basic tasks in the crop production process that aren’t possible today without human input.
In order to harvest, plant or tend to crops at present, it requires human-operated machinery, such as a combine harvester, but the research discovered by Harper’s University suggests that there may be an alternative way to do things in the future.
How Can it Help Farms?
The main takeaway from this research suggests that using autonomous equipment for arable crop production can help save farms money.
The type of equipment needed for autonomous crop production is far cheaper than that used on conventional farms due to it being significantly smaller, and with the farming industry going through financial hardship for a number of reasons, any kind of cost-cutting will be welcomed.
Another big benefit of autonomous crop production is that it can provide farms with greater independence over what they grow and how they operate. Again, thanks to the costs that can be saved on equipment, it means that farm owners can concentrate on what’s important to them, take risks and offer more specific crops.
Wherever the agricultural industry goes next, Treadfirst is on hand to provide customers throughout East Anglia with a wide range of excellent products. This includes a variety of tyre types for agricultural vehicles including tractor tyres, commercial tyres, combine harvester tyres and more. For more information on how we can help you, get in touch today.
