How Ag Technology Is Embraced Differently Among Generations of Farmers

For the Elchinger brothers in Ohio, technology continues to take shape on their farm.

“We've gone from having the traditional corn planter, to having a fully automatic corn planter that will pretty much do everything on its own,” says Nick Elchinger, who farms in Deshler, Ohio.

The Elchingers not only farm, but sell ag tech, as well, and they even say some technology takes time to adopt and then adapt.

“Technology has absolutely helped us with our yield maps and our grid, our grid sampling zones, we can create a better picture what we need, what fertilizers need to go, where we can use less fertilizer and less seed,” says Ben Elchinger.

The Elchinger brothers are of the millennial generation, and ones who see technology as a tool.

“As always, you're reluctant to try something new, but as you try it, you will learn more and more on how the benefits will be better in the end for everybody,” adds Nick.

The Elchingers say as they work with older farmers, comfort level is often the biggest barrier in trying something new.

“The older generation might be scared of the technology as the younger generation is more apt to take it and try to run with it,” says Nick.

A recent Farm Journal survey found 40% of farmers say none of their fleet is connected to stream data to a cloud-based system. So, what's the biggest barrier in more farmers adopting some of the latest ag technology tools? It may be getting out of your comfort zone, no matter your generation.

Exploring various generations’ comfort level with ag tech today is something Terry Griffin has spent a lot of time doing.

“We've been evaluating how farm operators of different generations behave with respect to commodity combinations, number of acres and use of technology,” says Griffin, a precision agriculture specialist with Kansas State University.

While it may seem obvious the younger generations are more willing to try technology, he says there are trends within the younger age groups he tracks.

“One of the things that we have noticed between generations is that we have a few farm operators in Kansas who are of Generation Z,” says Griffiin.

He says “Generation Z” ranges in age from 6 to 24-year-olds today, and for those Gen Z farm operators today, technology is often a one-take-wonder.

“People in society of that generation have expectations that technology will work immediately,” adds Griffin. “It's been said that for Baby boomers and Gen X, technology has to be as simple as one, two, three. Those same sociologists would argue that for Gen Z has to be as easy as one, if it doesn't work the first time you do not get a second or third chance to make it work.”

Griffin says as ag tech companies unveil new technologies, it’s a trend to which companies will need to cater as they roll out the latest advancements to farmers.

“We can no longer push beta products out to the market,” he says. “It must be fully functioning, plug and play seamless, and for the most part, work behind the scenes such that there's no requirement for human interaction.”

While Gen Z represents a small portion of farm operators today, 20% of the farm operations today have those born before World War II making decisions on the farm. However, the generation growing, which could soon become the majority, are also of a younger generation.  

“Millennials, those who are roughly 25-to-40 years old, they're the fastest growing group of farm operators in the state right now,” he says.

As the Elchingers continue to adopt technology and grasp on to the tools that help their bottom-line, they’re focused on today and tomorrow.

“I think the sky is the limit,” says Nick. “I think as far as the imagination can dream is where we'll be at, just give it time, especially when you look at how far we've came in the past 10, 20, 30 years.”

The Ohio farmers have seen the benefits of getting out of your comfort zone to embrace change and stay competitive for generations to come.

View more insight into how farmers and other ag tech experts view ag technology trends today.