Tips For Modern Farmers

By Author: Franck Dupont
Total Articles: 2
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Effective and efficient – are two main characteristics of successful business. Even traditional businesses such as farming must follow modern trends and transform operations in a contemporary way.
Let us list some tips that will help farmers to transform from old style farming to modern one.

Trainings, Mentors, Forums
Knowledge is power. It is logical that before any extension or transformation one must obtain as much information about pros and cons as possible. Also, the modern world introduces new technologies and approaches so rapidly that it can be really hard to follow it up.
So, farmer may attend trainings and seminars held by local or national framing associations to educate own self. Even if the trainings are not meaningful, hanging out with other farmers during the breaks can be useful in terms of experience sharing.
Mentor is someone having the greater experience then you and willing to guide you in particular operations or even through your entire business. Your neighbor Sam who is always eager to answer your questions about the farming so far is mentor for you. But there are people ...
... who may do this on regular bases or on particular demand in exchange for monetary reward. Such individuals or institutions often call themselves “consulting agencies”. Simply google for “farming consulting” to get the closest to you.
We live in the digital age and internet has answer to any question. But sometimes you have to ask such questions to people on the internet rather to search engines. Old good forums are here on your side. Find most active one, register and do not hesitate to participate in discussion, ask questions and use answers to improve your farming operations.
Modern breeds
Over the centuries farming was prevailing sector of economy, in some areas it remains the only one. 20th century brought machinery to farmers making them more and more productive. Yes, machinery innovation increased efficiency and made farming operations easy, but new breeds of livestock and plants made the best to increase productivity. Now farmer can harvest more corps from the field than a century ago. New breeds of pigs can gain weight more rapidly, while new breeds of chicken can lay larger eggs.
Having new breeds is as important as having great machinery. And even in some sense on first place you have to grow more grains to have more capable tractor to harvest it.

Digital and even more digital
Technology is prevailing in all fields of operations and business. Farming is not an exclusion. Farm management software was introduced decades ago. Now ground is given to smart farms which are similar to smart homes. Sensors allow farmers to monitor barn environment 24/7, providing live data on the it. This not only assures healthier environment for barn animals but also to decrease operational costs.

Product differentiation
In hand with new breeds here comes a demand for differentiated products that are uncommon for the particular region. Of course, it is impossible to grow pineapples in northern Europe, but new kind of berries would be accepted by local market.