By Andi Anderson
Artificial Intelligence (AI) is becoming a game-changer in the agriculture industry, offering solutions to some of the most critical challenges faced by farmers and ag companies.
With the potential to boost productivity and significantly reduce costs, AI is paving the way for a new era in farming.
Brad Fruth, Director of Innovation at Beck’s Hybrids, highlights how AI is already making a difference. “How we choose and select hybrids, as well as deciding when and where to make herbicide or insecticide applications, are just a few ways AI solves farmers’ biggest challenges,” Fruth explains.
Fruth recently spoke at AgriNovus Indiana’s QUADRANT event, emphasizing that AI’s real impact will be felt when integrated into the daily tools farmers use. “While tools like ChatGPT are fun, the AI that will change the game are those embedded into the hardware and applications that farmers rely on every day,” he said.
With the global population expected to reach 10 billion by 2050 and farmland shrinking due to urban expansion, farmers are under pressure to produce more with fewer resources.
AI is seen as a crucial tool to help achieve this, driving net farm income and enhancing productivity. Fruth believes that a new generation of students and researchers equipped with AI skills will be instrumental in addressing these challenges.
One innovative example of AI in agriculture is Terra Force, an agtech company based in Vincennes, Indiana. Terra Force has developed a robotic harvester that uses AI to locate and harvest watermelons and pumpkins, addressing labor shortages in the industry.
Mike Jacob, Founder and CEO of Terra Force, noted that AI technology is key to solving the labor challenges facing producers.
However, Fruth also cautions farmers about the hype surrounding AI, urging them to be wary of companies selling AI as a buzzword without offering real value. “Anyone trying to sell you just raw AI is likely selling you ‘Smoke Juice’ or ‘Bugs in a Jug,’” he warned.
As AI continues to evolve, it promises to be a vital component in the ag industry, driving innovation, efficiency, and economic gains. From enhancing crop selection to automating labor-intensive tasks, AI’s role in agriculture is just beginning, and its impact will be felt across the entire ag value chain.
Photo Credit: istock-dusanpetkovic
Categories: Indiana, Education