All skills are lost when they no longer are needed or used. Autosteering and all the new auto controls are here to stay. They will not be going away anytime soon. If they do, it will only be for a very short time and they will be returned.

 But,......like anything, its always beneficial to know the history. I still remember for the most part, how to use long division. It was taught yet when I was in school. No-one today is ever out of reach of a calculator as they are even in the cell phones. But knowing the old school methods allows me to do some simple math in my head, or at least on the back of an envelope with a pen if I need to for any reason.

 If your son knows how to use the old analog methods for controlling the tractor and equipment, he will always have that back up available to him. Kinda like carrying a tool box on the tractor. You hope to never open it, but when the need comes round, it is good to have it.