Those who do not know farmers sometimes think of them as slow to change and not up on the latest craze. In reality, farmers are among the most progressive businessmen around and are ready and willing to adopt the latest technology when it benefits their operation.

Take no-till farming, Roundup Ready soybeans, Global positioning, and biotechnology for example. When technology is proven to be a benefit to a farming operation, farmers are willing to use it.
That is why the wireless revolution is sweeping across rural America. As cell phone coverage becomes more reliable and more pervasive in rural areas, rural customers are going wireless.

As high speed digital wireless networks have spread across the Corn Belt, the sophistication of the devices that can be used on them has also increased. Cell phones have become integrated communication devices offering web browsing, e-mail, text messaging, and audio and video devices.

These features now offer farmers a variety of informational tools in the palm of their hand. For example, Hoosier Ag Today has just launched a service that delivers up-to-the-minute market price quotes, local weather radar, and local and national farm news to any web-enabled wireless device.

Simply enter www.hoosieragtodaymobile.com into your web browser and all the time sensitive information you need is at your fingertips. Best of all this service is absolutely free.

At the same time cell phones are acting more like computers, computers are acting more like cell phones. Laptop computers are morphing into netbooks. These are small notebook computers designed primarily for portable wireless communications.

Recently, Verizon let me test drive an HP netbook with the Verizon broadband access built-in. This device gives you the convenience of a computer with the portability and connectivity of a cell phone. I was able to communicate online while riding in a car traveling north on U.S. 31, while sitting under a tree on the campus of Marian University, and from my easy chair in my family room.

Connecting was easy, and download speeds were respectable. The small keyboard took a bit of getting used to but was much better than texting on a cell phone. My only major complaint was the glare from the screen that made viewing in bright outdoor situations difficult. This is just another example of the revolution that is taking place with wireless technology. These devices offer today’s on-the-go farmer a way to stay in touch with family, employees, and the world of agriculture.

Both Farm World and Hoosier Ag Today are offering services designed to take advantage of this wireless revolution. So this July, declare your independence and go wireless.

The views and opinions expressed in this column are those of the author and not necessarily those of Farm World. Readers with questions or comments for Gary Truitt may write to him in care of this publication.