Making decisions about farm automation

Catalysts for change 

Labour scarcity, escalating input costs and environmental challenges are among the key drivers for change when considering autonomous farming solutions. As a nation, we are now in a persistent age of labour scarcity.   Like all businesses, farming businesses must look to new technologies and operational efficiencies to drive their businesses forward into the future. The cost of labour scarcity is not limited to an increased hourly rate for workers, rather, it has a much broader impact on farm profitability - think wastage of unpicked crops – and operational inefficiencies – think workforce skill gaps.  

In addition to the impacts of labour scarcity, no farmer has been immune to the dramatic rise in input costs and ongoing environmental challenges. These factors combine to challenge the economic viability of many Australian farms.  
Addressing these challenges requires a focus on exploring new solutions. One area that presents significant potential is automation.

Semi-automated and fully automated systems 

Automated farming solutions range from semi-automated technology like assisted steering to fully automated systems like robotic harvesters. The level of automation involved will require differing levels of human operator support. 

The new horizon now brings into view technologies combining robotics with farm management systems and data analytics to help farmers make decisions with curated data sets.  

Some of the benefits of automation 

Automation can help farmers attract workers and improve worker safety. For example, robotic spot sprayers can, by lessening the exposure to chemicals, significantly reducing the risks and exposures of workers.  

Automation can also assist the current ageing workforce to continue working for longer in less physically demanding roles, perhaps bringing some out of retirement. It can also attract a new generation of tech-savvy farmers ready for the new frontier. 

Other benefits include reducing input costs, like that achieved with autonomous spot sprayers applying fewer chemicals. Robotic mushroom harvesters demonstrate how you can improve yield and quality by harvesting at just the right time, 24/7.  

The benefits of automation encompass many areas, including animal welfare and output.  

Barriers to automation

One cannot focus solely on the benefits without addressing what many farmers identify as barriers to automation. 

Those barriers include the significant capital cost of adopting automated systems, the heightened risk associated with being an early adopter, the need to carefully manage workforce engagement and reskilling, and cyber security risks like the use of ransomware to shut down robotic milking machines. 

Making decisions

The significant benefits of automation justify perseverance through the barriers.  Even so, the decision to invest in automation requires careful consideration.  

The decision-making process should include several steps: generating ideas, analysing individual proposals, developing a capital budget, creating an implementation and transition plan, and monitoring and post-implementation review. 

An independent advisor can help assess feasibility and develop a solid business case before significant expenses. The business case should consider financial factors (incremental cash flows, payback periods, funding options) and non-financial factors (workforce transition, quality control, cybersecurity).
 

 FOR MORE INFORMATION

Contact your local RSM food and agribusiness specialist for assistance with your next farm automation decision. 

This article was first published by ACM Farm Weekly.