Specialty crop growers can expect robots to do their harvesting in the next 10 years

Robots have made their way to farm fields in masses over the last decade, and that growth is expected to continue.

One ag robotics pro says specialty crop growers stand the most to gain.

“Yes. It saves on labor, but this thing is a big expense and the fragility of the equipment, all those things are not yet there. But I’m going to make a prediction that in specialty crops within 10 years, more than half of specialty crops, harvesting will be done by robots. It’s coming, and it’s coming strong. I can see that from our relationships with our customers, and from our experience with our partners, it’s coming,” said Mark DeSantis.

DeSantis tells aginfo.net that this kind of technology is not just for smaller operations. He believes industrial growers will also be on board.

Related Stories
RealAg Radio host Shaun Haney discusses how AI integration in grocery retail could impact farmers and the broader food supply chain.
Alliant Chairman of Agriculture and former U.S. Ag Secretary Mike Johanns explains the R&D Tax Credit, the recent Tax Court ruling, and ways livestock producers and agribusinesses can qualify.
Merck’s Gary Tiller discusses new virtual fencing technology and how fence-free livestock management could change the way ranchers manage land and cattle.
Dr. Peter Beetham, interim CEO of Cibus, joined us to discuss the status of EU gene-editing deregulation and its potential implications for agriculture.
SharkFarmer host Rob Sharkey takes us on a tour of the John Deere showcase on the trade show floor of CattleCon 2026 in Nashville.
Ranchbot Monitoring Solutions provides remote water-monitoring technology to help ranchers manage livestock water more efficiently.

LATEST STORIES BY THIS AUTHOR:

K-State researchers advise producers to take action, highlighting that prevention is essential for controlling tick populations as cases spread West.
Shaun Haney joined us to discuss rising concerns over farmland ownership in Canada, actions being considered by provinces and farm groups, and the potential impacts of tighter regulations.
U.S. Soybean Export Council CEO Jim Sutter joins us to discuss the impact of new trade development funding for U.S. soy.
Rep. Adrian Smith joins us to discuss the push for nationwide year-round E15 sales and legislative hurdles for getting it into the farm bill.
Farm Credit’s Christy Seyfert joined us to discuss the ag industry’s push for swift Farm Bill action as it heads toward a House vote.
Agriculture Shows
Crop yield champions David Hula from Virginia and Randy Dowdy from Georgia are back for another season with the aim of schooling more growers across the country in their winning ways.
“Texas Agriculture Matters” is a fun, informative look at the role of agriculture in our daily lives. The show utilizes the trademark wit and wisdom of its host Commissioner Sid Miller — an 8th-generation farmer-rancher and 12-time World Champion rodeo cowboy — to explore a new Texas ag-related topic each week.
From barnyards and back roads to metros and highways, Simply Southern TV on RFD Network explores all of Alabama to bring you the best stories on farming, gardening, forestry, rural living, and youth in agriculture.
In the first week of each month, “Down Home Virginia,” produced by the Virginia Farm Bureau, airs its half-hour program. Other states’ Farm Bureaus featured on different weeks include Texas, Arkansas, Indiana, Illinois, Tennessee, Idaho, and New York, and news from the American Farm Bureau from Washington, D.C.