The agriculture industry has changed so much over the past 100 years. Imagine taking your great-grandparents around a modern-day farm. What would you be most excited to show them? If you don’t know where to start, here are three shifts that have had a substantial impact on modern-day farming.

Genetics

Your great-grandparents would have probably heard of plant genetics, but they would have no clue on the importance of genetics in modern agriculture. Modern plant science has developed pure genetic lines, ensuring uniformity and improving overall field health. Plant breeding and the understanding of traits and genetics has been one of the largest contributors to the yield explosion over the past 50 years.

Mechanization

Your grandparents might have used tractors, combines, sprayers and other farm implements on their farm, but today, the technology inside of those machines is cutting edge and futuristic. Each improvement to these mechanized machines reduces the number of people that need to be out in the fields and increases the overall productivity on the farm. You’d probably blow your great-grandfather’s mind just explaining what GPS is.

Field Inputs and Management Practices

It was just about 100 years ago that nitrogen was first mass produced to be added into crops as fertilizer. Pesticide and herbicide treatments continue to develop and stop crop loss in the field. Imagine telling your great-grandmother there are tools now that can read the soil conditions and put the right number of seeds into the ground. They get the most out of the soil and minimize the inputs needed to get the most out of the field.

What changes would you show your great-grandparents? What do you think would blow their minds? Let us know by connecting with us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram!