From Global Positioning Satellites to micro-irrigation drip
systems that squirt water right into the soil, San Benito County
farmers are using a host of new technologies to improve efficiency
and increase the quantity and quality of their products.
Hollister – From Global Positioning Satellites to micro-irrigation drip systems that squirt water right into the soil, San Benito County farmers are using a host of new technologies to improve efficiency and increase the quantity and quality of their products.
Although it was invented more than 30 years ago, Global Positioning Systems are one of the hottest new technologies to come to the agriculture community.
“One of the biggest things is GPS for tractors,” SBC Farm Bureau President Paul Hain said. “It’s precision farming.”
While most of the equipment he uses to grow organic walnuts and chickens was invented before World War II, Hain recognizes the benefits of GPS. In addition to planting crops in precise rows, GPS tractor steering systems can help farmers determine crop yields and spray pesticides more efficiently, he said. However, the new technology can be expensive.
“For smaller scale agriculture its not practical,” Hain said. “These things can cost hundreds of thousands of dollars. When you’re farming a thousand acres it becomes practical. A lot of the new technology requires larger acreage.”
Apple grower Anthony Botelho has been using the profits from his orchards to invest in new irrigation technology. Like many others, Botelho has switched from traditional sprinklers to micro-irrigation drip systems that combine of several types of low-pressure, low-volume delivery methods to bring water through underground pipes directly to the roots of crops.
“It uses a heck of a lot less water,” he said. “You save on pumping, water and electricity costs.”
Evaporation is also less of a problem because the water is squirted directly into the soil, Botelho said. Botelho hopes that the drip system will make his job easier and increase profits at the same time.
“It’s a big change because it’s a big investment,” he said. “You put this system in place and it really increases yield and the efficiency is tremendous compared to sprinkler systems.”
New technology isn’t just for those out in the field. Blossom Hill Winery in Paicines is buzzing with computer-controlled machinery, Wine Maker Carol Thorup said. The computers control and monitor the condition and temperature of wine during the fermentation process. Other computers control pumps that keep grape juice in contact with skins, she said.
“It makes better wine because you’re not dependent on someone remembering,” Thorup said. “The computer doesn’t forget or call in sick.”
Thorup is hoping that soon she will be able to get accurate wine temperature readings from the computer at her desk.
“I’d like to have (the reports) in real-time on my desk,” she said. “It would mean tighter control.”
Whether its guiding a tractor, making irrigation more efficient or monitoring wine temperature, new technologies are changing the industry, San Benito County Agriculture Commissioner Paul Matulich said. Matulich has been keeping an eye on lasers that help level farm land, less toxic pesticides and new harvesting machines, but he’s most excited about using GPS to help with the abatement of West Nile Virus.
“We’re just getting into it – it will help us map areas with mosquito problems,” he said. “GPS lets you know you’re in the right location.”
Although new technologies can make many operations more efficient, labor shortages will continue to be a problem for some local farmers.
“We’re pretty dependent on labor,” Apple grower Ken Perry said.
Labor shortages could continue until full-service robots are readily available, he said, in jest.
However, the future of agricultural technology may less to do with individual gadgets and more to do with sustainable farming, Hain said.
“The real breakthroughs will be in entire farming and distribution systems,” he said.
Brett Rowland covers education for the Free Lance. He can be reached at 831-637-5566 ext. 330 or [email protected].
