How can Internet connectivity help farmers?
There are a growing number of new technologies and systems available to farmers today, however, the majority require a solid Internet connection. Many farmers would like to incorporate more technology into their daily operations but are lacking the Internet to do it. According to the USDA, 60% of farmers use cellular hotspots as their Internet provider, which can be slow, limited and unreliable. We’ve highlighted just a few of the ways that Internet connectivity can support farming operations everywhere.
Automated crop monitoring
Technologies such as smart irrigation systems, pest management systems, self-driving machinery and remote temperature control for cold storage all require Internet connectivity. These systems can increase productivity and reduce the number of human errors, increasing yield and profitability.
Drones have also been an increasing trend in smart crop monitoring in recent years. Drones can be used to distribute pesticides, fertilizer, nutrients or to seed a field. They can also gather data about their crops, including GPS mapping, determine plant health, populations and plant cover.
Livestock management and care
Smart livestock management systems can help farmers monitor and manage their livestock easier. These systems can detect illnesses, movement of livestock, optimize the feeding schedule, control the temperature inside barns and monitor vitals of their livestock including blood pressure and heart rate. These technologies can save time on routine livestock checks and help detect and treat illnesses early. Having a solid Internet connection is vital to making sure these systems are running smoothly.
Property surveillance and security
Ensuring that one’s property is safe and secure is a major priority of many farms. With Wi-Fi-based security cameras, they can monitor their property in real time and be alerted of any unusual activity. Security systems can also protect physical buildings such as offices, barns, packing and storage facilities, greenhouses and more. With systems like these, you can monitor your property from anywhere in the world 24/7, giving you peace of mind.
Financial and business activities
Business activities such as sales, accounting, payroll, employee time tracking and paperwork can be made easier with a solid Internet connection. Many farmers may also use a VoIP phone system, monitor weather forecasts and check local market conditions.
How can unWired help?
Our connections are engineered to deliver fast and reliable Internet to rural areas and are built to handle all these systems and more! unWired boasts an uptime of 99.99% and guaranteed speeds, ensuring your systems are up and running 24/7. We offer a variety of speeds to fit the unique needs of your farm, dairy, ranch or other agriculture-based business.
About unWired Broadband
unWired Broadband is the leading Internet provider for rural and underserved areas in Central and Northern California. Their network includes over 200 towers connecting communities that have been ignored by cable and fiber Internet providers. Since their inception in 2003, they have expanded their connectivity suite to also include redundancy solutions, a data center and most recently, fiber Internet.
