News

“Farm of the Future” studying latest in ag tech at U of I

A University of Illinois Extension specialist says the “Farm of the Future” is becoming reality at the U of I’s Urbana campus.

Dennis Bowman tells Brownfield the USDA funded I-FARM (Illinois Farming and Regenerative Management) project studies the latest innovations in agriculture technology.

“That research has lots of potential, and so we’re using this Farm of the Future site, which is 115 acres where we can put these tools into practice,” he says.

He says they’re looking at a wide range of technologies, and how they can impact a farm.

“Soil sensors, light sensors, the autonomous robots, even field level broadband service,” he says.

Bowman says virtual fencing for use in rotational cattle grazing has shown promise.

“They (cows) have a collar that warns them when they’re getting to the boundary.”  He says, “That’ll get them to stop.  Then either on your desktop, computer, or on a phone, or tablet, you can just draw a line on your map of the field and change the areas that are allowed for grazing.”

Bowman says the goal is to help farmers identify and utilize new sustainable and profitable management technologies.

The “Farm of the Future” will be showcased during the “Regenerative Ag Technology Field Day” at the U of I on August 15^th.    

Brownfield spoke with Bowman at the recent U of I Agrivoltaics Field Day.

AUDIO: Dennis Bowman – U of I Extension