Today I learned at the 2011 New York Farm Show in Syracuse: robots are everywhere on the farm. It should come as no surprise that robotics can take a lot of the backbreaking work out of a backbreaking profession. Tractors did the same in the early part of 20th Century. Farmers can milk three or three and a half times a day with these machines, as well as feed their animals more efficiently.
Here’s a Flipcam video that we shot at the Farm Show.
When this work can be mechanized, it can provide time for other profitable activities. Every farmer wishes he had time to grow or make other things on the farm. And every farmer wishes she had more time to be a better business person. Profitable use of the land can mean more and better jobs in agriculture and it’s related activities. NY Local will pursue these ideas in the future.