Cotton Farmers in Terry County Harness Cutting-Edge Technology to Boost Efficiency
TERRY COUNTY, TEXAS (KCBD) – In the heart of Texas’s cotton country, farmers are embracing a new wave of digital technology that is transforming traditional agricultural practices. Experts refer to this shift as “the fourth industrial revolution,” where digital tools and innovations are reshaping how work gets done—cotton farming included.
For over two and a half centuries, the United States has been a leader in agricultural innovation. Now, this legacy continues as local growers in Terry County adopt state-of-the-art technologies to enhance productivity and sustainability in fiber production. Across the county’s 20-mile stretch, tractors are busy seeding wheat cover crops that will soon give way to cotton fields, signaling the start of a new farming season powered by advanced machinery and data-driven decisions.
From Hand Tools to Self-Guided Tractors
Gone are the days when farmers relied solely on manual labor and animal power in the fields. Mason Becker, a Terry County grower, recalls how when he began farming, “everything was hand driven,” with row lines laid out by eye and ground markers. Today, self-driving tractors equipped with GPS tracking handle these tasks autonomously.
“It’s cool that the tractors actually drive themselves, but it’s a lot more about efficiency,” Becker said. This new efficiency comes not just from automation but also from the ability to collect and analyze large amounts of data remotely. “From my phone, I can send information to different tractors, pull updates on completed acres, and track field progress. The data and information side of it is really where some of this stuff starts paying for itself,” he added.
Workers like Nate Gamez demonstrate the seamless operation of these autonomous tractors, adjusting speed and monitoring planting equipment while the tractor navigates the fields independently. This technology contrasts sharply with older equipment that lacks sensors and requires more manual oversight.
Smart Irrigation Enhances Resource Management
Becker’s farm also benefits from semi-autonomous irrigation systems controlled via smartphone apps. Earlier generations of irrigation required farmers to manually move heavy pivot systems. Now, advanced moisture probes provide real-time data that enable targeted water applications through mobile devices, optimizing resource use and crop health.
“Irrigation has evolved from hand-moved pipe to side rolls, then water drives, and now electrically powered pivots with various water diffusion caps tailored for specific field needs,” Becker explained. These innovations help conserve water—an essential consideration given the reliance on diminishing aquifers like the Ogallala.
Balancing Technology and Economics
While some may view current digital tools as “last generation” compared to emerging technologies, high costs and fluctuating commodity prices temper rapid adoption. “I’d like to be on the cutting edge of everything, but that’s not feasible—especially with the way commodity prices are right now,” Becker noted.
Agricultural Conferences Promote Data-Driven Farming
To support growers in navigating these technologies, the Southwest Cotton Physiology Conference recently convened in Lubbock, where experts shared research on integrating data, technology, and effective farming techniques. Sumit Sharma, a row crop researcher at Oklahoma State University, described the holistic nature of modern cotton production: “It’s the technology that’s in the computer, driving the tractor, controlling the pivot and planting. Decision-making in the field—it’s all coming together.”
Research’s Role in Precision Agriculture
At Texas Tech University, Wenxuan Guo’s precision irrigation research uses aerial drones equipped with thermal sensors and satellite imagery to create prescription maps that dictate optimal water application rates across fields. “By tailoring irrigation to specific locations, farmers can maximize water use efficiency and enhance profitability,” Guo said.
Meanwhile, AgriLife Extension researcher Hope Njuki Nakabuye explores the prospects of artificial intelligence in modeling baseline crop conditions without relying solely on physical sensors. “We’ve dabbled in AI-based algorithms to estimate soil moisture and crop needs, which could reduce dependency on traditional equipment,” she shared.
Bridging Research and Practicality
Jonathan Aguilar, an engineering specialist at Kansas State University, emphasizes the importance of turning complex research probabilities into straightforward, actionable advice for farmers. “Researchers might discuss probabilities, but farmers need quick, clear yes-or-no decisions, especially when every second counts during operations,” Aguilar explained.
Looking Ahead in Terry County
Back in Terry County, Mason Becker and his team balance the demands of farming with engineering expertise. While the technology delivers efficiency, it also requires vigilance. “You start getting notifications at night that a machine’s down and you have to run out and fix it,” Becker said. “But overall, it’s pretty nice.”
As cotton farmers adopt digital efficiency, each drop of sweat, every seed planted, and each pivot turned gains new value—demonstrating the ongoing evolution of agriculture over 250 years of innovation.
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