Investigating the Implications and Consequences of New Farm Technologies
Successful long-term adoption of new technologies depends on their consequences. As we develop, test and deploy farm technology and management practices, we build upon the knowledge gained to evaluate the following:
Farm financial feasibility
We seek to clarify the financial implications of new technologies and management practices to foster widespread adoption. We assess economic viability by evaluating initial investment costs, operating expenses, and cash flows and by forecasting future performance under conditions of interest for one or more farms.
Whole farm animal and environmental health
New animal-systems technologies and management practices offer opportunities to reduce disease transmission, thus contributing to One Health goals. They may also improve environmental health—for example, through reduced greenhouse gas emissions, carbon sequestration, renewable energy production, and improved water-use efficiency and water quality. At CAST, we assess these possibilities by evaluating specific technologies’ actual effects on soils, animals and environmental health.
Social and socioeconomic impacts
New technologies routinely challenge the status quo and force re-evaluation of existing practices of work, accountability and social order. We examine the socioeconomic impacts of data-driven technology through related inquiries ranging from technology development and design to rural community effects.