Investment in 4G and smartphones changing the work on farms, ranches

Kendall Atkins, a "darn near 80-years-old" panhandle farmer, remembers well the days when market prices remained fixed all day and horses tilled the land.

"We used to dream about sitting in our house, driving the tractor by the push of a button," he recalled.

Now, with GPS guiding machinery and rural 4G networks providing data--and more--instantly, even when farmers or ranchers are out in the field, those days are apparently here.

One smart phone application allows farmers to determine the precise chemical mix necessary, when starting a pesticide or fertilizer run from any point in their field...