With the rapid evolution of technology, farmers may not be able to afford to continue to control all aspects of their operations. Autonomous farm machinery could lead to producers outsourcing tasks to a skilled equipment operator, allowing the farmer to focus on other parts of their operation. 

When Mike Burnett, learning and development manager at Empire Southwest, was first hired at the company 9 years ago, he encountered the attitude that many dealerships have toward leadership development. 

Two 2021 studies report broader adoption of precision agriculture technology could increase U.S. annual crop production by an estimated 6% and Canadian crop production by 7%. Precision ag tools provide economic return for farmers while also enhancing sustainability through more efficient use of land, water, fuel, fertilizer and pesticides.