OSHKOSH, Wis.— New and evolving technology took center stage at the 2022 WPS Farm Show.

Kevin Habeck said he’s worked for Patz Corporation out of Pound, Wis., for the past 37 years.

He said in that time he’s seen plenty of new technology that has revolutionized the agriculture industry.

“Technology keeps moving forward, automation keeps moving forward to make the lives easier, obviously for the farm workers and productivity and more profit,” Habeck said.

His employer manufactures and sells farm equipment like augers that help clean manure out from dairy barns, and machines that regulate the amount of feed is distributed to the cows.

He said the company has a proud legacy of displaying its new tech over the years.

“It’s still a family owned company,” Habeck said. “Third generation is now running the company.”

One of the newer technologies that he’s found fascinating are robotic milkers.

John Bronkhorst sells DeLaval robotic milkers for Redeker Dairy Equipment. He said he grew up on a dairy farm and is amazed at how farms have evolved.

“My dad started milking cows by hand, then he got the transfer system, and then the pipeline came out, and then he thought, ‘what can beat this,’ and then the parlor came out, and now today we’re looking at robotic milking,” Bronkhorst said. “It’s come a long ways in the last 50-60 years.”

Bronkhorst said it’s hard to imagine what’s next when it comes to milking.

He said he’d likely be completely blown away if robotic milkers become obsolete one day.

“I will be if they can beat this,” he said.

Habeck said amidst all the new technology at the show, his exhibit is showing off a piece of history still sold today.

He pointed to a machine that was on display more than 60 years ago at the first show ever. Patz hasn’t missed a show since. He said he’s excited to see what the future holds.

“The pace of change has been increasing in the last 10 years,” he said. “The next 10 to 20 years, I can expect that to be even more so.”​