The Future in the Wheat Industry

The importance of the wheat industry is not just local or regional but worldwide […]. With the global population growing, the need for agricultural products like wheat, increases. In the near future, it is crucial for the next generation to enter the wheat industry, ensuring that the industry’s production meets market demands. Experts project that by 2033, employment in the agriculture industry will decline by 2%, with around 116,400 job openings each year. The decline, particularly due to a multitude of reasons, foreshadows the need for skilled workers who are familiar with advanced technology which can be incorporated into farming practices.

Modern agriculture is transforming due to advancements in technology and production, making it crucial for young minds to enter this industry and embrace the change. Without fresh minds willing to embrace and adapt to the evolving technologies, the wheat industry is at risk of falling short in meeting the demands of consumers. Using advanced tools to optimize farming opens up many doors to efficiency.

One major development that is being used more within farming is the use of Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS), known as drones. This new technology is a prime example of precision agriculture utilizing advanced technology. I have first handedly witnessed the wonders a drone can do in agriculture, and believe that they are beneficial in many ways. Drones provide efficiency amongst farmers by offering a way to monitor crop health, apply fertilizers, and gather real-time data with great accuracy. For example, the DJI Agras T40, an agricultural spray drone, is being increasingly used to enhance farming operations. Drones are not replacing common practices but instead improving them by offering spot spraying, capturing extremely detailed images, preventing soil compaction from ground-based equipment, and precise application of pesticides and fertilizers. Minimizing waste of product, preventing chemical drift, and improving crop yields.

Colleges such as Blue Mountain Community College, are now offering two-year degrees focusing on drone operation and precision agriculture to promote new technology. Operating equipment like drones takes skill in technology, and data analysis that the next generation of farmers can bring to the table. Having those skills allows for the wheat industry to flourish with greater efficiency/accuracy, reducing waste, and increasing yield.

Beyond drones, there are many other advancements that are shaping the future of wheat production. Self-driving tractors improving efficiency, and drought-resistant wheat varieties ensuring a good crop yield. To keep the wheat industry competitive it is important to implement sustainable farming practices.

The future of wheat farming is solely reliant on young people like those I’m surrounded with embracing its evolving nature. With constant changes and advancements in technology, the next generation needs to see agriculture and wheat farming as an innovative career path, where they can apply knowledge and skills to improve productivity and fulfill the needs of the growing population.

2025 Scholarship Essay: Katie Spivey