The next frontier: How AI is transforming agriculture

Artificial intelligence is becoming a bigger part of agriculture every year. From equipment that practically drives itself to software that recommends when to spray, fertilize, or plant — the technology promises to help farmers be more efficient and productive.

I saw a lot of AI innovation in the trade show at the recent Commodity Classic. There is no doubt it has the potential to help agriculture tackle some big challenges. But like any new technology it also comes with risks we shouldn’t ignore.

One of the biggest concerns I hear from farmers is the idea of becoming too dependent on technology.

Agriculture has always relied on experience and instincts built over years — sometimes generations — on the land. When software starts making more of the decisions, there’s a risk those instincts get pushed aside.

And, let’s face it, technology doesn’t always work perfectly. If a system crashes or a signal drops during a critical planting or spraying window, farmers still have to know how to make the call on their own.

Another issue that continues to raise eyebrows is data ownership. Many of the tools farmers are using today collect a lot of information — everything from yield maps to soil conditions to equipment performance.

That information often goes into platforms developed by large companies. The question farmers are asking is who ultimately controls that data and how might it be used in the future.

Farmers understandably want to know their information won’t be used against them when it comes to input pricing, equipment service, or other business decisions.

Cybersecurity is another risk that agriculture hasn’t traditionally had to think about. Today’s farms are more connected than ever.

Equipment uses GPS guidance, irrigation systems can be controlled remotely and livestock operations rely on automated feeding and monitoring systems.

All of that connectivity opens the door to potential cyber threats. A disruption to those systems during a busy season could cause serious problems.

Cost is another issue. A lot of the newest AI tools come with subscriptions, upgrades, sensors and specialized equipment.

Larger operations may be able to absorb those costs more easily, but smaller farms may struggle to keep up. That could widen the gap between large and small operations and accelerate the consolidation that rural communities are already dealing with.

There is also the reality that AI is only as good as the data behind it. Farming conditions can vary dramatically from one field to the next.

Soil types, weather patterns and management styles are incredibly local. If an algorithm is built using limited or generalized data, the recommendations it provides might not fit every situation.

None of this means AI does not have a place in agriculture. In fact, I believe it will almost certainly play a significant role in the future of farming.

The key is making sure it remains a tool and not a replacement for the experience, judgment and adaptability that farmers bring to the job every day.

Technology can help agriculture move forward. But there is still no substitute for the people who know their land, livestock and laborers best.