Colorado is quickly becoming a leader in agriculture technology. The state has a long history of agriculture, and its farmers are now using cutting-edge technology to increase yields and improve efficiency.
It’s not just the farmers helping lead the charge of an agricultural future. It’s also the fact that many tech startups have planted seeds – pun intended – in Centennial State. With fresh ideas and tech money flowing through the area, Colorado is on the cutting edge of agricultural trends and technology.
Here are five of the reasons Colorado is becoming an agriculture tech giant.
Less water waste
With an already dry climate, Colorado farmers do more with less – especially when it comes to water usage. That’s why many of them are using seed companies in Colorado as ways to use water effectively.
Farmers are using precision irrigation to target water to the roots of plants rather than watering the whole field. They’re also planting drought-resistant crops and using cover crops to protect their soil from erosion.
Another water-saving technology that Colorado farmers are using is called remote sensing. Remote sensing is a technology that uses sensors to measure the moisture content of the soil. This information is then transmitted to a computer, which can automatically adjust the irrigation system to deliver the correct amount of water to the plants. This system can save farmers up to 30 percent of their water usage.
One of the most popular water recycling systems currently in use by Colorado farmers is called the Center Pivot Irrigation System. This system recycles water from the center pivot of the irrigation system and delivers it back to the field, allowing farmers to save up to 80 percent in water usage.
More effective technology usage
Colorado farmers are using drones to survey their crops and track irrigation patterns. They’re also using GPS-guided tractors and combine harvesters to plant and harvest with precision. Farmers use sophisticated software to manage their operations and make real-time decisions about planting, irrigation, and crop maintenance.
This embrace of technology is paying off. Colorado farmers are producing more food with less water and fewer chemicals, and they are also reducing their reliance on fossil fuels, lowering their carbon footprint.
Younger and technologically-savvy citizens
Say what you want about Millennials and Gen Z citizens being too tech-connected, but their reliance on tech has helped to shape an agricultural future that can use these systems to grow better crops.
Through initiatives like the Colorado Agricultural Leadership Program, young people are learning about the latest innovations in agriculture and working to bring these technologies to the state’s farms and ranches.
This leadership program is just one example of Colorado’s youth making a difference in the agricultural industry. In addition to learning about new technologies, these young people are also gaining important business and leadership skills to help them build successful agrarian careers.
A focus on climate change
Colorado’s farmers are embracing solutions instead of pointing fingers concerning climate change. One group of young people, the Rocky Mountain Youth Climate Coalition, uses technology to engage their peers in the fight against climate change. The coalition offers an online course called “Climate 101” that covers the basics of climate science. They also have a “Climate Action Toolkit” that provides resources for young people who want to get involved in the fight against climate change.
Colorado’s farmers are proving that agriculture can be part of the solution to the climate crisis. As they continue to lead the way in agriculture technology, they’re helping to build a more sustainable and prosperous future for all of us.
Unique landscape
Colorado’s land allows for technological advances in farming due to its diverse topography and climate. The state’s diverse topography includes mountains, plains, and valleys, which provide a variety of conditions for different types of crops. The state’s climate is also ideal for farming, with warm summers and cool winters. The temperate climate allows farmers to grow various crops, including fruits and vegetables.
Colorado’s land also allows for the use of advanced farming techniques. For example, the state’s high altitude and dry climate make it ideal for using drip irrigation. This type of irrigation is very efficient and can help farmers save water. Colorado’s land also makes it possible to use greenhouses and other types of technology to protect crops from the elements.
Colorado’s land makes it a great place for farmers to use advanced techniques to grow various crops.
To wrap up
As technology continues to expand and evolve, even the agriculture world is starting to use new tech to help yield better crops, learn advanced techniques, and appeal to the next generation of farmers. As the challenges of climate change present a world where agriculture remains vital, technological leaps in Colorado are leading the way to a brighter future.
