Technology in Agriculture: How Has Technology Changed Farming?

Agriculture technologies advanced rapidly in the second half of the 20th century and at the beginning of the 21st century. These developments forever changed the way farmers work.

Take a look at how farming technology has changed over the last 50 years.

1960s

The Green Revolution

In the mid-1940s U.S. Vice President Henry Wallace spearheaded a program to help developing nations feed their growing populations. The program included four scientists, one of whom was Dr. Norman Borlaug.

Borlaug started a growing process that allowed plants to thrive with new irrigation and crop management techniques. By the 1960s, the benefits of what was nicknamed the “Green Revolution” were apparent when successful new wheat varieties were made available in countries across the globe.


1974

Original single active ingredient Roundup^® Herbicide released

A new herbicide using glyphosate as the active ingredient was developed. Glyphosate-based herbicide is used by farmers to control weeds in their crops. Roundup^® branded glyphosate-based herbicides also made their way into lawn and garden products, which allow landowners to kill weeds along sidewalks, driveways, gardens, and fences.


1975

Rotary combines are introduced

The first twin-rotor system combine was created by Sperry-New Holland. This allowed the crop to be cut and separated in one pass over the field. For corn, it not only separated the husk and ears, but shelled the kernels, and chopped the stalks.


1982

First genetically modified plant cell

Scientists working at Monsanto Company became the first in the world to genetically modify a plant cell. The team used Agrobacterium to introduce a new gene into the petunia plant and announced their achievement the following year. Within five years, Monsanto researchers planted their first outdoor trials of a genetically modified crop – tomatoes that were resistant to Roundup agricultural herbicide, insects, or viruses. The Agrobacterium method first used in 1982 is still in use today by Monsanto scientists and by other companies’ scientists.


1994

Satellite technology advances farming

For the first time, farmers were able to use satellite technology to see their farms from overhead, allowing for better tracking and planning.


1996

Monsanto’s first GMO crops become commercially available

Roundup Ready^®soybeans and Bollgard^® insect-protected cotton became the first genetically-modified row crops available to farmers. The soybeans provided tolerance to glyphosate-based agricultural herbicide. The GM traits in cotton provided protection against the cotton bollworm, tobacco budworm, and pink bollworm.


2000s

Software and mobile devices helps farmers have better harvests

Like many people, farmers started carrying mobile devices, which allowed them to stay connected to colleagues while in the field. This also meant they now had access to data needed while on-the-go, including the ability to place orders for seed or fertilizer at any time or in any place.


2015

Data revolutionizes farming potential

Farmers make decisions based on the information they have on-hand, which is why data has helped them harness the power of information to make better-informed decisions that allow them to use resources more sustainably. The Climate Corporation’s Climate FieldView™ platform is a digital platform that brings together data collection, agronomic modeling, and local weather monitoring, which gives farmers a better understanding of their fields. These tools allow farmers to plan for better harvests and make decisions that are better for the planet.