View from the Cab: Tech is the talk

Change is coming fast as technology continues to impact our lives.

This message was relayed to farmers last week by Steve Maulberger, vice president of Crop Risk Services Inc. He spoke about the future of agriculture during the annual All Day Ag Outlook Meeting hosted by Illinois Public Media at the Beef House in Covington, Indiana.

“Amazing technology is happening,” Maulberger told the audience.

Maulberger said millennials look at food as an adventure. They want fast, not incremental, change. This group also believes in fresh and local so the food industry is adapting. Investments are now going into plant-based meats as young people are not going to accept the type of diet we have currently.

There is also indoor farming which can be much more productive using less water.

“You can grow a head of lettuce in 13 days,” said Maulberger.

This will all change the way we grow things in America and where we grow it. Maulberger predicts the move to digital banks is going to come quickly and the change is happening on a “dramatic basis.”

Farmers are advised to do things differently with the new technology coming to the industry. We must deal with changing weather and other factors, according to Maulberger. We live in a big yield, low price world while South America, Ukraine and China are all doing well.

“We have got to have a plan,” Maulberger added.

Since agriculture supports the entire economy, Maulberger suggests growers get more advice and consider cutting costs in order to get more revenue. This may include taking a closer look at marketing or even buying fertilizer directly from a supplier and spreading it independently rather than using a company.

In summary, Maulberger reminded the crowd they can’t do the same thing and expect a different outcome as now is the time to adapt.

We enjoyed our trip over to the Beef House for a day of learning and delicious food, of course.

(The View from the Cab blog is powered by Petersen Chevy-Buick in Fairbury)