Farmers push back against “smart” agriculture

By Zahra Sethna

Canadian manufacturer Ursa Ag says demand for its simplified, repairable tractors has exploded as farmers across North America push back against increasingly computerized agricultural equipment.

Founder Doug Wilson argues modern tractors have become so software-dependent that even minor electronic failures can disable machines worth more than a million dollars.

The deeper issue extends beyond repair costs. Farmers are being squeezed simultaneously by fertilizer shortages, tariff disruptions, shrinking margins, and growing consolidation throughout the agricultural system.

Wilson warns that many farmers increasingly feel trapped inside a fragile infrastructure they no longer fully control — one dependent on subscriptions, dealer servicing, and proprietary technology systems. His company’s rapid rise suggests a growing appetite for simpler, owner-controlled machinery at a moment when “smart” agriculture is colliding with economic reality.

Read more: https://www.collapselife.com/p/doug-wilson-tractors-right-to-repair