A modern combine harvester has comprehensive electronic monitoring of all functions. A single multifunction lever can control cutting height, forward movement and speed. The cab has full air conditioning, sound insulation, sensors to detect obstacles in front of the cutter bar and dust filtration...

Image courtesy of Rural History Centre, University of Reading

So the transition from hand reaping to fully automated mechanisation took 150 years…

Also…
The yields of many crop (including grass) increased dramatically because of the use of fertilisers and the better quality of the seed varieties available …

[John Gresham on gross yields]

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