I admit I love technology. Head over heels in love.
But, I also don’t have a problem with my phone dying and it staying that way for a couple of days. I don’t have a problem not answering text messages when they get sent to me right away. And I am notorious for ignoring phone calls and emails because I just don’t feel like dealing with technology on that given day.
I am always saying that technology will some day take over the world. And I often say how it will eventually become an essential part of agriculture.
A few weeks ago my sister in law gets this amazing idea about purchasing Ipads for each couple on the farm. During calving seasons it would be so organized to be able to update records and send to each other. That way there is no confusion on when the calf was born, why it’s in the barn, and any birthing problems it may have had.
I took her idea and ran with it bringing up all the ideas we could use it for- feeding, precision agriculture, equipment maintenance schedules, etc. My husband thought I was crazy. But, after thinking about it he thought of a way he could use it, recording sick calves as they are treated, so the documentation is always available to everyone.
I even went as far as pricing out the Ipads we would need and the types of apps we would need to make this work for us. (Only because I was already on the phone with the Apple people!)
I believe technology will become like an extension of a farmer’s arm in the near future. Whether or not the older generation agrees with me is fine. I just believe that we have to be open to it if it becomes that way, and embracing it is better than denying it in my eyes.
For example, this article really made me think.
In 2001 a law was passed in the European Union that farmers provide some sort of entertainment for their livestock for the purpose of their emotional health.
Really? Is that like the giant ball you give to horses that sometimes horses love and other times they look at you like you are absolutely crazy for thinking they are actually going to play with it?
http://www.equi-spirit-toys.com/ |
Well, kind of, except farmers are embracing technology and utilizing Ipads.
When I saw these pictures I couldn’t believe it.
I mean, how much fun does this look? I seriously bet the pigs love this.
Now this being said. I don’t think that all pigs without toys are unhappy pigs. Our beef cattle still love to roll and run and will constantly be playing with one another. My two heifers I have out in my lot are constantly chasing each other in circles.
No, I do not think you need to go out and purchase an Ipad for the purpose of playing with a yard of pigs, because I certainly won’t be installing this fancy system in our feed lots.
But, I think it goes to show that technology is growing in agriculture. And I agree with the article in the aspect that this Ipad app could allow for consumers to subconsciously become more aware of their food and where it is coming from. However, with that being said. I bet PETA could have a hay day with this.
Oh, and I think I might buy one of those giant balls, not for my horse (she would look at me like I was crazy), but I think my heifer calves would love it!
ann says
Several years we had a 55 gal drum in the feed lot and the feeder calves would play with it. They are curious about a lot of thinks.