6 Common AgTech Myths and Why They Are Not True

Technology has become a vital part of modern agriculture, on both the crop and livestock sides. Even with its rise in popularity and use, producers are still hesitant to adopt AgTech. Concerns about cost, complexity, practicality, and reliability have come from past experiences with technology or a lack of knowledge about AgTech in general.

In this article, we are debunking the most common myths about AgTech and replacing them with facts. Whether you're skeptical about AgTech or just want to learn a little more about it, we hope reading this article can help you see how technology can benefit you and your operation.

Myth: AgTech is Expensive

You may be hesitant to adopt AgTech because you see it as a money pit. Between the upfront hardware costs, installation fees, and recurring subscriptions, it can seem like technology costs more than it’s worth, especially when the price of everything else is already so high.

Fact: AgTech Pays for Itself

One thing you may not realize is that AgTech is designed to pay for itself by:

• Reducing labour and fuel costs.
• Minimizing the downtime of equipment.
• Preventing production losses.

Like your machinery, watering systems, and handling equipment, AgTech is an investment that improves productivity and profitability. It’s hard to quantify the cost savings these types of investments can bring to your operation, but these “hidden savings” are what make AgTech so valuable. When used right, it is a tool that protects your farm’s bottom line.

Myth: AgTech is Hard To Use

When you hear the term “AgTech,” you might think of robots, drones, and self-driving machinery. That association has given AgTech a reputation for being complicated, high-maintenance, and difficult to use. When tools require extensive education and take more time to operate than the task they're designed to replace, it can be a major turn-off for producers.

Fact: AgTech is User-Friendly

The AgTech industry has evolved from complicated technologies to practical, user-focused solutions. Companies, like FarmSimple, are focused on developing products that:

• Producers can easily install and operate themselves.
• Require very little maintenance.
• Utilize mobile apps and alerts for simple use.

These companies also have teams that are ready to help troubleshoot problems and ensure your technology is working properly. Because, at the end of the day, if technology is causing you more problems than it solves, it is not doing its job.

Myth: AgTech is Only For Large Operations

There’s a common belief that only large-scale livestock operations and feedlots can benefit from using AgTech. That’s because they have the budget and manpower to adopt new technology without seeing it as a risk to their business. This can lead smaller farms and ranches to believe that technology is simply just not made for them.

Fact: Smaller Operations Can Benefit From AgTech

Livestock operations of all sizes experience the same challenges. Rising costs, resource scarcity, labour shortages, and policy changes are some of the most common challenges producers face. While smaller operations are typically impacted more by these problems, AgTech can help operations of all sizes by:

• Reducing expenses by eliminating unnecessary costs.
• Preventing major breakdowns of equipment.
• Freeing up labour by automating daily tasks.
• And protecting resources and reducing waste.

No matter the size of your farm or ranch, AgTech is designed to help improve the efficiency and success of your operation.

Myth: Producers Don’t Want to Adopt AgTech

Farmers and ranchers are commonly stereotyped as ‘set in their ways’ and resistant to change. In some ways, this can be true, especially when the traditional way of completing tasks gets the job done. This assumption makes it seem like producers would rather just stick to what they know and not try out new technologies.

Fact: Producers Will Adopt Technology That Solves Their Problems

Producers aren’t anti-technology; they just don’t want to invest their time and money into something that doesn’t work. The fact is, producers are more than willing to try new technologies if they:

• Solve a real problem for their operation.
• Save time, reduce expenses, or relieve stress.
• Work without needing lots of maintenance.
• Can handle the extreme weather and harsh conditions.

The problem isn’t that producers don’t want to use AgTech; they just want to be introduced to solutions that will actually work on their operation.

Myth: More Technology = More Things That Can Break

You also might view AgTech as something more to worry about. This is understandable since farmers and ranchers deal with equipment failures and breakdowns daily. Because of this, technology is viewed as something more that has to be maintained, fixed, or replaced.

Fact: Technology Prevents Major Breakdowns

Good technology actually prevents major breakdowns on your operation. It does this by:

• Instantly alerting you when it detects a problem.
• Allowing you to monitor your equipment so you can be proactive about maintenance.
• Detecting sudden changes that could result in damage.
• Protects your equipment from extreme temperatures.

The faster you can detect and diagnose a problem, the less time and money you need to put into repairs.

Myth: AgTech Companies Don’t Understand Real Ranch Problems

Some producers believe that companies building AgTech products do not fully understand the everyday challenges of farming and ranching. This misconception has caused some to believe that AgTech companies are developing solutions to problems that don’t actually exist.

Fact: Technology is Created by Producers for Producers

Today’s best AgTech products have been created by individuals who have firsthand experience with agricultural challenges. They have either faced these challenges themselves or have worked closely with other producers who have been seeking a solution to a major problem on their operations. This combination of experience and collaboration has allowed companies to create technology that:

• Solves real problems.
• Works in rural and remote locations.
• Is built to withstand extreme conditions.
• Provides data that actually matters.

AgTech companies also work closely with farmers and ranchers to continuously improve their products. Gathering feedback from producers is vital for AgTech companies to ensure their products are meeting the needs of producers.

Technology is not here to replace you; it’s here to help you. When designed properly, technology is a tool to help you stay ahead of major problems, protect your resources, and make better management decisions. Technology is meant to make your life easier, not harder. Which is why it’s important to find AgTech solutions that fit your operation’s needs and challenges.