Hoober’s (Middletown) 10-15-

After a bit of a break from our field trips, our third trip took us to Hoober’s, an agricultural farming equipment business. We visited their Middletown, Delaware location, and we were treated to a tour of the facilities. The most important piece of technology in general at Hoober’s currently is precision agricultural technology. Precision agriculture allows for farmers to manage their crops much more efficiently. For example, the yield monitor/map allows for simpler management of data as well as gives farmers more information to base decisions on. The guidance/steering system for tractors is very important. It is self-guided, thus a farmer can put in the coordinates, sit back, and multi-task while crops are planted, harvested, etc. The coolest and most innovative piece of agricultural technology shown to us at Hoober’s was by far the survey drone. Survey drones can be used outside of agriculture, such as in road work/construction. However, when it comes to agriculture, survey drones are used to plan out crop-fields, and also to manage and oversee them (e.g. if crops are producing better in certain areas or to determine crop loss due to weather phenomena). Ultimately, Hoober’s showed me yet again how important biotechnology is for the future of agriculture and generally all businesses, and that management/maintenance is and always will be a relevant challenge.

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