How to tackle the top issues in modern agriculture
Farming has always been a tough job. With so many tasks to be completed within short timeframes, it requires a strong work ethic and technology that farmers can rely on when they need it most. Here are some of the top challenges in agriculture – and how to overcome them.
Time is of the essence
Today’s farmers face pressure from multiple sides. Unexpected machine downtime, when combined with unpredictable weather and fluctuating crop prices, can have a huge impact on overall yield. Political decisions can also pose a challenge: surveys show that 30% of farmers expect new government mandates and regulations to have the biggest impact on their business. With targets to meet and little room for delays, reliability is all important.
However, as machines are subjected to intensive use during key periods like the harvest season, component failures are practically unavoidable. To minimise losses in time and productivity, farmers need to ensure that key components such as bearings are easy to install and replace. They also require a dependable components supplier that can deliver spare parts quickly to reduce downtime.
Component quality is key
One of the most complex challenges for farmers is cost pressure. As the value of crops is prone to sudden change, it is virtually impossible to predict the selling price at the start of the season. For this reason, farmers need to maximise their yield, while eliminating unexpected or unnecessary costs wherever they can.
Using high-quality parts is one way to do this. For example, tests have shown that some bearing solutions specifically developed for the agriculture industry can increase farm productivity by up to 150%* thanks to a reduction in bearing failures. Additionally, such components require less frequent lubrication, which helps farmers save time and cut costs, while reducing their environmental impact.
Eye in the sky
A recent trend that could make life easier for farmers is precision agriculture. One aspect of this is the use of satellite imagery to provide insights into a field’s condition, which can improve land management, productivity, and efficiency. Some experts estimate that this method could even reduce input costs by more than 20%. Similarly,drones are being used to support crop monitoring, giving farmers a better view of problems that they might otherwise miss, such as diseased crops or dry areas in a field.
Reliable partners for reliable products
While high-tech developments like drones and satellite imagery may take some time to become widespread, farmers can already tackle many challenges simply by using high-quality components for their machines. These products help boost machine reliability, enhance productivity, and reduce maintenance costs.
Choosing the right supplier for these parts plays a crucial role too. A trusted partner can provide farmers with expert guidance on components and maintenance. In a survey by Case IH, nearly 25% of respondents indicated that equipment dealers would be one of the top advisors influencing their decision making. With support from suppliers and guaranteed availability of parts, farmers can sow the seeds for a successful future.
In our next blog post, in September, we will take a deeper look at how to minimize machinery downtime with high-quality components and maintenance tips.
