Top Ag Technology Trends to Watch for in 2021

By CropLife|May 14, 2021

Optimism is a powerful force in agriculture. And after what’s been a bumpy ride in recent time, which includes a global pandemic, there appears to be a long-overdue sense of positivity about the future, lifting a stubborn cloud of doubt and hesitancy that’s held back investment in technology innovation.

At CropLife, we’re keeping track of the ag technology trends, products, and companies making moves through the 2021 season and beyond. In this feature, we will touch on some of the key storylines we’re watching through the spring and summer.

In-Season Ag Technology Will Continue to Dominate

In 2021, the desire of farmers to gain a rapidly evident return on investment through technology that provides actionable, accurate in-season decision making possible will continue to gain steam. Outside investments in soil and atmospheric sensors, imagery in all its forms, weather monitoring, irrigation control, and more are providing the foundational data streams that will allow retailers and their partners to deliver on the in-season promise. Deep-dive, in-season data collection and aggregation systems like Flurosat and Taranis should continue to gain momentum, and help retail deliver more accurate, high-value crop management recommendations.

Robotics Viability Continues to Advance

Raven Industries has gone all in on autonomy, and its investment in DOT modular technology will be on display at many events this summer and fall. But the “gateway drug” for autonomous vehicles will actually be its AutoCart system, which can operate a grain cart tractor without an operator, a nearly irresistible piece of efficiency during the most harried time of the season.

Investment in Broadband Will Continue

The commitment to government investment in rural broadband that started under former USDA Secretary Sonny Perdue appears destined to continue with its inclusion in the Biden Administration’s infrastructure bill. The pandemic did much to reveal the cost and danger a lack of Internet access can have on rural industries, including access to healthcare and remote education, so a continuing of this buildout would appear very likely.