AI in Agriculture

Autonomous Weeding Robots Lead 2025 Precision Ag Funding

Fri, 01 May 2026 00:00:00 -0400

In 2025, autonomous weeding and field robotics companies drew more capital than any other sub-segment.

[Technology Corner] #Plant26: Johnson Tractor Precision Farming Specialist Saves the Day

nnewman@lessitermedia.com — Fri, 24 Apr 2026 08:00:00 -0400

Planting season is here, and with it comes “busy season” for precision specialists. In today’s Technology Corner segment, we pay a visit to Patrick Johnson, who was planting into a strip-tilled field for the first time in Clinton, Wis.

Creating Seeding Rate Prescriptions with AI for #Plant26

Tue, 21 Apr 2026 00:00:00 -0400

Using artificial intelligence in our daily lives may feel like it comes from a science fiction novel, but with precision agriculture, AI is another tool to help farmers manage their operations.

Vi by visorPRO Launches AI-Powered Story Writing Assistant

Mon, 20 Apr 2026 00:00:00 -0400

The Story Writing Assistant enables service teams to capture notes via voice-to-text, typed input, or screenshots, and instantly transforms them into complete service stories with clear complaint, cause and correction.

Georgia Hosting Inaugural Southeastern Specialty Crop Technology Conference

Fri, 17 Apr 2026 00:00:00 -0400

Technology on display will include AI-driven sprayers and weeders, harvesting aid robotics, drones for weed detection and wildlife mitigation, and more.

Caterpillar Acquires Monarch Tractor

kschmidt@lessitermedia.com — Wed, 15 Apr 2026 16:00:19 -0400

In a statement earlier this month, Monarch said its “core technology, including our software-defined vehicle platform, perception stack, and electrification systems, has been acquired by a large global equipment manufacturer. It means the technology will continue to move forward.”

USDA Launching ‘Proving Ground’ for Ag Technology

jdobberstein@lesspub.com — Tue, 14 Apr 2026 00:00:00 -0400

The USDA National Proving Grounds Network for AgTech will, according to the agency, “thoroughly test and validate both existing and emerging tools under real-world production conditions,” to provide farmers and ranchers with “trusted, practical insights” they can rely on to make product decisions.

[Technology Corner] AGCO Ventures Manager Optimistic About Autonomy, Drones & More

nnewman@lessitermedia.com — Fri, 10 Apr 2026 08:00:00 -0400

We had the chance to catch up with Alex Russomagno, senior manager, AGCO Ventures, after her presentation at the FEMA Supply Summit and Showcase in San Antonio, Texas, a few weeks ago.

Monarch Tractor Releases Statement Following Reports of Shutting Down

nnewman@lessitermedia.com — Fri, 10 Apr 2026 00:00:00 -0400

Monarch Tractor released a statement after several reports of the electric autonomous tractor company shutting down.

AI in Agriculture Conference Explores the Future of Farming

Thu, 09 Apr 2026 00:00:00 -0400

The NC State-hosted conference brought together more than 460 academics, students, researchers and industry leaders from across the country to explore how AI is reshaping the future of agriculture.

2026 State of the Farm Report Examines Early AI Use and Broader Digital Trends in Agriculture

Thu, 09 Apr 2026 00:00:00 -0400

For the first time in the report’s history, farmers under the age of 50 represent nearly 38.4% of the respondent pool. This younger demographic is bringing a new level of technological maturity to the farm, with a strong focus on efficiency and mobile-first operations.

[Video] Geringhoff’s Bill Dickhut Discusses U.S. Factory Expansion, AI, Tariffs & More

nnewman@lessitermedia.com — Mon, 06 Apr 2026 08:00:00 -0400

Managing editor Noah Newman catches up with Bill Dickhut, president of Geringhoff, North America, in between sessions at the 2026 FEMA Supply Summit & Showcase in San Antonio, Texas.

Dealer Lessons from the Field: How Rocky Mountain Equipment Solves Service Problems Faster

Fri, 03 Apr 2026 00:00:00 -0400

Service managers field calls from frustrated customers, support technicians diagnosing machines in the field and help newer staff navigate unfamiliar equipment. But what happens when the service manager isn’t a mechanic by trade?

[Video] Why There’s ‘No Going Back’ with AI in Ag

nnewman@lessitermedia.com — Wed, 01 Apr 2026 08:00:00 -0400

Jeremy Groeteke, global head of IT and digital strategy at Syngenta, breaks down some of the latest trends with AI in agriculture and shares key takeaways from his presentation at the 2026 FEMA Supply Summit and Showcase in San Antonio, Texas.

AI in the Spotlight at FEMA Supply Summit & Showcase

nnewman@lessitermedia.com — Mon, 30 Mar 2026 13:00:00 -0400

I just got back from the FEMA (Farm Equipment Manufacturers Association) Supply Summit and Showcase. My top takeaway from the week can be summed up with two letters. AI.

[Technology Corner] ‘There’s No Going Back’ … Advice for Getting Started with AI

nnewman@lessitermedia.com — Fri, 27 Mar 2026 08:00:00 -0400

Noah Newman checks in from the FEMA Supply Summit and Showcase in San Antonio with some insights from Jeremy Groeteke, Global Head of IT and Digital Strategy at Syngenta.

The Machine Already Knows ... Nobody Built the Layer to Use It

Sat, 21 Mar 2026 00:00:00 -0400

In his latest blog, Graham Gleed, principal advisor at abcg, says, "My phone understands what I need. My car knows where I am going. My health app tracks my body and tells me what to adjust. Then I climb into a million-dollar tractor with five onboard computers, satellite connectivity, a stack of data services, and it comes with a paper manual!"

Equipment Compatibility Breakthroughs on Display at Plugfest

nnewman@lessitermedia.com — Fri, 20 Mar 2026 01:00:00 -0400

Software engineers from different ag equipment companies put competition aside and came together under one roof to test the cross-brand interoperability of their products.

Engineers Put Competition Aside to Test Ag Equipment Interoperability at 2026 Plugfest

nnewman@lessitermedia.com — Wed, 18 Mar 2026 13:00:00 -0400

Technical teams from over 20 competing manufacturers gathered in Milwaukee to test, validate and prove interoperability across machines and platforms during the Agricultural Industry Electronics Foundation (AEF) Spring Plugfest.

Solinftec Deploys 100-Plus Autonomous Robots, Expands U.S. Footprint by 243%

Mon, 16 Mar 2026 00:00:00 -0400

Alongside its solar-powered Solix robot, Solinftec recently debuted its now commercially available next-generation autonomous Refill Station designed for continuous, 24/7 field operation.

Right to Repair Was the Warm-Up ... the Real Fight Is Who Controls the Insight

Thu, 12 Mar 2026 00:00:00 -0400

A new competitive battleground is opening in agricultural equipment. The fight is no longer about who owns the data. It's about who controls the insight generated from it and who gets to shape the customer's next decision. In this guest piece, Graham Gleed says many dealers and OEMs aren't positioned for the battle.

Large Plant Model Allows LaserWeeder Operators to Update ‘Targets’ with a Thumb Tap

Tue, 10 Mar 2026 01:00:00 -0400

Paul Mikesell, founder and CEO of Seattle-based CR, says LaserWeeders operating in 15 countries since 2022 have been cataloging various plant/weed species with each field pass, amassing the world’s largest and most diverse agricultural dataset.

Farm Bots & AI: Keeping Farmers on the Cutting Edge

nnewman@lessitermedia.com — Fri, 06 Mar 2026 23:00:00 -0500

During a recent trip to Agritechnica, the world’s leading trade show for farm equipment, John Fulton noticed a common theme.

Pondering the Potential of Smart Glasses on the Farm & at the Dealership

nnewman@lessitermedia.com — Mon, 02 Mar 2026 15:00:00 -0500

Noah Newman stops by a Best Buy on his lunch break to check out the Meta AI Glasses he's been hearing all about. Could these smart glasses be potential game changers for farmers, technicians and precision specialists?

New Study Compares Dual-Line & Single-Line Precision Spraying Systems

Tue, 24 Feb 2026 00:00:00 -0500

In the 2025 season, the Univ. of Nebraska–Lincoln (UNL) conducted replicated field trials to evaluate two different approaches to deploying AI-driven precision spraying.

Point, Counter Point: Machine vs. Human on AI-Powered Farm Equipment

nnewman@lessitermedia.com — Mon, 23 Feb 2026 12:00:00 -0500

Farmers already accept that technology often makes better, or quicker, decisions than they can do themselves, says Randall Reeder, retired Ohio State Univ. ag extension engineer.

University of Texas-Arlington Opens AI-Driven Smart Agriculture Research Center

Thu, 19 Feb 2026 00:00:00 -0500

The University of Texas at Arlington has opened the Smart Agriculture Research Center (SARC), a new hub using artificial intelligence and data science.

National Science Foundation (NSF) Announces First AI-ENGAGE Awards

Mon, 16 Feb 2026 00:00:00 -0500

The U.S. National Science Foundation, in coordination with partner agencies from Australia, India and Japan, today announced the first cohort of awards made under the Advancing Innovations for Empowering NextGen AGriculturE (AI-ENGAGE) initiative.

John Deere Announces its 2026 Startup Collaborators

Sat, 14 Feb 2026 00:00:00 -0500

Deere & Company announced the names of five companies chosen for its 2026 Startup Collaborator Program.

Squid Juice, AI & Optimism: Noteworthy Nuggets from National Farm Machinery Show

nnewman@lessitermedia.com — Fri, 13 Feb 2026 00:00:00 -0500

Here are some of the top things we saw — and heard — at the 2026 National Farm Machinery Show in Louisville, Ky.