How is technology used in farming?

A friend recently asked me how technology is used in agriculture, so I thought I would share just a brief primer on that topic here.  I found this timeline on the history of technology and agriculture here as a starting place:

Agriculture and Technology Timeline

The modern part of the above timeline could be expanded a lot and I might try and provide more of that here in future posts.  However, just to highlight some of the key ways in which technology is currently being explored and applied to agriculture include:

1) Computers and sensors in farm equipment such as tractors.  Applications include measuring soil content, applying fertilizer and chemicals more efficiently and effectively, sensing if a row in a field is being double planted, etc.  We are seeing the integration of computers, GPS and telecommunications devices.  These applications includes areas called precision agriculture and telemetry.

2) Smartphones.  Applications include access to data/information and remote control (along with sensors) of motors for irrigation, moving grain from trucks to grain bins, etc.

3) Biotechnology.  Scientists are exploring all kinds of ways to improve growing conditions and results throughout the world, including GMO crops for reducing damage from insects, drought resistant crops and more.

4) Social media.  Using social media for connecting with others in the food and agriculture community, marketing and more.

We are seeing some explosive growth in all of these areas with more to come.  Look for more posts here with the tag/label of technology (see side bar).