## This Weekly Update: AI is Changing How We Farm

Robots and Smart Machines on the Farm

Artificial intelligence is no longer something farmers only read about in science fiction stories. According to farming experts at Ohio State University, farmers are using AI right now to make important decisions about their crops. One of the most exciting developments is autonomous tractors—these are tractors that can drive themselves across fields without a farmer holding the steering wheel. These smart machines use collision avoidance technology, which means they can detect obstacles and stop to avoid crashes, all thanks to artificial intelligence.

But autonomous tractors are just the beginning. AI is helping farmers apply chemicals and nutrients more carefully. Instead of spraying an entire field with the same amount of chemical to kill weeds, farmers can now use AI-powered systems that look at each plant individually and spray only the plants that actually need help. This approach, called selective application, can reduce the amount of chemicals used by huge amounts while still protecting crops. The benefits are enormous: farmers spend less money, and the environment gets cleaner.

Company Startups Bring New AI Ideas

Companies around the world are creating new agricultural technologies that use artificial intelligence in clever ways. Some startups use AI to breed better crops—they analyze millions of pieces of information about plants to find which ones grow strongest in difficult conditions. Other companies are using AI-powered cameras and sensors to watch crops every day and spot disease or pest problems before damage becomes visible. One company called BinSentry uses solar-powered smart sensors that watch feed levels on farms with 99% accuracy, preventing shortages and saving farmers money on unnecessary truck visits.

In Europe, farmers are getting exciting new tools for managing their animals. Smart collars using GPS and solar power create virtual fences—invisible boundaries that guide cattle, sheep, and goats without needing physical fence posts or wire. This makes it easier for farmers to move their animals to fresh grass, a practice called rotational grazing. The United States government is even helping farmers pay for this technology through special support programs.

Making AI that Farmers Actually Want to Use

One important lesson the agriculture industry has learned is that AI tools must work the way farmers actually farm. A major equipment company called AGCO is doing something different—they are asking farmers to help design AI tools before selling them. This co-creation approach means farmers test new software and give feedback while it is still being developed. This way, when the tool is finished, it actually solves real problems that farmers face every day.

Experts say this is important because many farmers are unsure about new technology. When companies work hand-in-hand with farmers, farmers feel more comfortable trusting and using the AI tools. Another important point is that farmers prefer owning machines with AI built in rather than paying for AI as a service. This means AI technology should work with the equipment farmers already have.

AI Predicts Weather and Helps Plan for the Future

Scientists are using a special kind of AI called explainable AI—this means the AI can tell us why it makes its decisions. Researchers studied how weather changes affect crop yields in different regions and found that AI could identify which weather factors matter most. For example, AI discovered that warmer, drier winters can hurt crop yields, even though winter is not the growing season. This kind of knowledge helps farmers prepare better for climate change.

In rural Spain, farmers are using AI to simulate growing conditions before they plant. These simulations work like a time machine—they show farmers what will happen if they plant crops in different locations or at different times. One strawberry farm owner says the simulator gives them an advantage by letting them predict real-life situations. Thanks to these AI tools, farmers can figure out which new crops might grow well in their area and how to reduce pesticide use while earning more money.

Using AI to Create Stronger Crops

Scientists are combining artificial intelligence with gene editing technology called CRISPR to create stronger grain crops like wheat, corn, and rice that feed billions of people. These AI systems can look at millions of genes and predict which changes will make crops grow better in different climates. The challenge is making sure these predictions work in real farm fields, not just in laboratories. Researchers are working on creating explainable AI—systems that can explain their decisions—and digital twins, which are computer copies of real farms that scientists can test.

The agriculture industry recognizes that AI-guided breeding can help solve the problem of food security as the world's climate changes. By combining the intelligence of scientists and farmers with artificial intelligence, researchers believe they can create crops that are tougher and more nutritious.

The Future of Farming with AI

As 2026 begins, artificial intelligence is becoming an essential part of modern agriculture. From self-driving tractors to smart sensors to computer predictions about weather and genes, AI is making farming more efficient, more profitable, and better for the environment. The most successful AI tools are those that work together with farmers rather than replacing them. Farming experts agree that there will always be a place for farmers' knowledge and experience, but now they have powerful AI partners helping them make better decisions.