I did my usual volunteer service at the World Ag Expo. One thing that was noticeable was that we had far fewer airplanes and jets fly into the airport adjacent to the show.
The guys in charge had also said that fewer people had rented booths for the show.
I did get to talk to a farmer about his business, and he was super impressed with the new robotic sprayers. In previous years, he’d have to hire a spraying job out. That could cost him $26,000. They’d bring out four sprayers and five people and get the job done in a day. One person would refill the sprayers, and the other four would drive the sprayers. However, this farmer is looking at buying robotic sprayers instead of hiring the service. He could be the refiller, and his wife could drive the robots from her iPad. Sure, the initial investment would be high, but at $26 grand a pop, it won’t take too many sprays for a return on the investment. And if he has neighbors growing different crops, he could spray theirs too, and help his own ROI while providing less expensive service for his neighbor.
I missed getting to look at the robotic platform that can lift a ton and haul 5,000 lbs.
I did think this weed suppression technology is super neat. It is a film that keeps weeds from growing, but it only lasts long enough to keep them from germinating. Then it biodegrades into food for microbes. I asked, and they don’t sell to retail yet, though.