Top 10 Precision Ag Trends to Watch in 2022: What’s next for farming this year

January 10, 2022

The start of a new year is always an exciting time, not just to reflect on the previous year but also to anticipate the future. We all know that the agriculture industry is ever-changing, and new technology and practices are always around the corner. Here are the top 10 precision ag trends we recommend farmers keep an eye on in 2022:

Autonomous solutions

• Continued advancements in machine autonomy
  Trimble is actively engaged in further integrating machine autonomy into operational workflows. In early 2021, we announced a partnership with HORSCH that expands our focus from field-based autonomous equipment to fully automated systems, from office to field.

Promising innovation

• New, agile players in the industry
  Agriculture may be as old as humankind, but that doesn’t mean there isn’t room for innovation. New companies and startups continue to see promise in our industry and are willing to develop new solutions that offer operational improvement. Companies such as Monarch, which received capital funding from Trimble Ventures in 2021,  are focused on intelligent tractor development, including diesel-free, climate-friendly tractors.

Thinking machines

• Predictive insights provide accurate decision drivers
  Can machines think? Not in the intuitive way that humans do, but machines can do some “thinking” based on predictive data. AI is being used in operations to control pests and disease, decide the optimum places to plant, and a few months later, harvest crops. The agricultural AI industry is currently valued at about USD 519 million and is expected to grow quickly to $2.6 billion by 2025.

Operational communications

• IoT technology will continue to revolutionize agriculture
  Having Internet of Things (IoT) operational connectivity at a base level is a complete game-changer. It’s continuing to have a significant impact on the industry. The 2020 Agriculture IoT Market was estimated at USD 11.9 billion and is expected to achieve an 8.8% compounded annual growth rate through 2026. Trimble is a leader in providing solutions that help our customers capitalize on this connectivity, improving their overall ROI.

Birds-eye views

• Corrections services continue to advance precision ag
  Trimble’s precise positioning solutions are integrated throughout our applications, including our GNSS Corrections and positioning services. In November 2021, we announced the performance improvements we’ve made to our CenterPoint RTX Corrections Service. This enhancement added the BeiDou-III (BDS-III) constellation, which increases our satellite usage by 25 percent.

Eco-friendly operations

• Precision ag helps operations meet sustainability objectives
  Sustainable agriculture isn’t just a novelty; it’s an approach that simply makes practical sense. Like many of the identified 2022 trends, sustainability is data-driven. The more information you have, the greater your ability to maximize your resources. Our Trimble Select Partner SenCrop is an excellent resource for ultra-local weather data that can help you make informed decisions throughout your growing cycle, from planting to harvest.

Carbon sequestration 

• Reducing your carbon footprint may affect your operation (but not necessarily in a bad way)
  If you’ve been following the ongoing climate change discussions, one of the top priorities among all industries has been to reduce our carbon footprint. One of the ways to do this is through carbon sequestration, i.e., finding a way to trap it without releasing it into the atmosphere. There’s growing interest in helping farmers explore incorporating carbon sequestration in their operations, which can improve field health and, ultimately, yields.

Global technology adaptation

• Agricultural Innovations are not limited to some regions of the world
  Global ag operations have integrated precision ag technologies and experienced the benefits firsthand. Trimble is proud to serve millions of customers in more than 100 countries, and we have more than 11,000 employees in 35 countries. That reach will only increase as emerging regions of the world are targeted for growth in 2022 and beyond, specifically South America and the Asia Pacific region.

Water usage will remain a concern

• Managing one of the world’s most valuable resources is critical
  Water is one of the pickiest resources on any farming operation. Too much, and your crops will drown. Not enough, and they die of thirst. Trimble water management solutions can go a long way in helping to manage water on your operation effectively.

Label readers

• Consumers continue to educate themselves about the origin of their foods
  The trend of consumers taking a greater interest in where their food comes from, as well as how it is grown, is expected to continue. According to a recent study, consumers perceive that non-GMO is better than GMO, and organic is better than non-organic options. While some of these beliefs may not be factual, this consumer factor is essential to consider in the marketplace.

Trimble is your partner in 2022 and beyond to help optimize, automate and connect your operation to best address these trends through precision ag services, retrofitting options, and support. Connect with your local reseller to enhance your equipment with precision ag today.