Agricultural technology continues to evolve

Harvest season is here for local farmers, and the equipment they use is becoming increasingly high-tech.

The agriculture industry has come a long way from the horse and plow, but it has come so far in the past decade, crops are rarely harvested without the help of computers and satellite technology.

Tyson Coles, a salesman for Bonneville County Implement, said interest in new technologies is growing.

“A lot of people are trying to figure out how to be more efficient, how to make their farms pay and reduce the input cost,” said Coles. “The technology side of it is where you can do that.”

Coles said farmers are using guidance and auto-steer systems the most.

“I would say we’re well over 50 percent of the valley here in southeast Idaho is using guiding systems on their operations,” said Coles.

The guiding systems can improve farmers accuracy to within just 1 inch of overlap, meaning less fuel and time. But, it doesn’t just end there. Tractors and combines are now so advanced they can record yield, moisture, and just about any data to help farmers make better management decisions.

In Coles’ six years selling farming equipment he said he’s already seen amazing transitions within the industry.

“Down the road, the sky’s the limit, really,” said Coles. “Whatever technology brings us, we can adapt.”