Automation and robotics continue to take root in the ag industry for more tedious tasks, but some forays have sprouted hard lessons for those trying to take advantage of technological advances. 

Several ag industry leaders participated in a panel discussion, “Automation & Robotics: Impacts & Outlooks,” during the Feb. 7 Growing Possibilities ag forum in Santa Maria organized by The Economic Alliance Foundation. 

Incorporating technology into growing operations comes as farmers have increasingly had to rely on workers through the federal H-2A seasonal employee program.

“In some regards it’s complementing labor. It’s taking some of the jobs that they don’t want to do and making them easier to do,” Nelson Medina, Santa Maria district manager for Driscoll’s, said of the technological tools.

“Overall, we’re becoming more efficient with our acreage so more volume is coming out of the same acres than came out years ago; but it’s not like we’re getting more people to come in and support those processes locally, so this automation is really necessary to offset that labor in strawberries,” Medina said. 

“For us, it allows us to reallocate the labor we do have into higher value crops,” added Matt Hart, harvest automation director for Betteravia Farms, which markets its produce as Bonipak.

“If we don’t have to have this whole crew cultivating or weeding a field, that frees them up to do something the robots can’t do, like harvest,” Hart added.

Tasks done by a crew of 20 in the past can be completed by four now, but those 16 jobs weren’t going to be filled by local residents. Instead, it would have required importing seasonal workers, according to Justin Lego, farm technology and equipment manager for Innovative Produce.

“There’s still so many jobs out on the farm,” Lego said, adding automation helps sustain business to protect the hundreds of other jobs on farms. 

Integrating technology into farming doesn’t always go smoothly, with road bumps likely. One key requirement involves making sure to have the right people and patience.

“If you’re not ready to fail, learn from it and make adjustments, it’s never going to work out,” Hart said. 

One such failure involved a cultivator that seemingly could do some chores. Once implemented in the field, they were hit with a harsh reality — air systems and dirt don’t work well together, Hart said. 

The equipment had 30 pneumatic valves with half of them seizing up regularly and needing replacement. 

“This was years ago, and it’s still sitting in our yard haunting us,” Hart said, as the audience laughed.  “I know we’re not allowed to get rid of it because they want it to haunt me.”

“Don’t feel bad. We have the same one,” added Phil Adam of Innovative Produce and panel discussion moderator. 

Betteravia Farms began using an automated cultivator in 2008, and now has one of the largest collections of robots working in the field.

“We learned that if you don’t support the technology with the right people it doesn’t work,” Hart said, leading to the hiring of an engineer.

Robotic equipment can lead to precision spraying, reducing the application of herbicides and lowering chemical costs, Hart added.

Some tools in use have been developed in house to fill their needs, with one produce wrapper initially in use for tortillas but adapted for romaine lettuce harvest. Another employs a novel wrapping technique for iceberg lettuce.

“The trick with all this is that it’s done in the field in the weather in the mud. And trying to keep robots clean and happy in the weather and in the mud is not an easy task,” Hart said. 

In response to a question about what skills youths should have for future ag industry careers, speakers said they need employees with general mechanical knowledge including hydraulics, electrical, pneumatics and some diesel mechanics.

“A lot of what we’re looking for is just well-rounded individuals that are interested in working with their hands and out in the fields,” said Stephen Waldron, field automation supervisor for Plantel Nurseries.

The Santa Maria Joint Union High School District’s career/technical education center has added programs for training the next generation of ag workers.

“We’re hopeful we can start getting some from there as well as from Hancock (College),” Waldron added.