The Rise of AI on Farms: Technology Can Compliment—Not Replace—Human Expertise

Farms and major food companies use AI to improve efficiency and forecast demand. Still, developers said that training AI for different uses is only possible with support from knowledgeable workers.

NASHVILLE, TENN. (RFD-TV) — Use of artificial intelligence (AI) is widespread across today’s farms and is quickly finding a home in some large food companies. Several major players in food production have already made AI a key part of their operations, including McCormick, Cargill, and General Mills. Those companies use AI to blend ingredients, do product development, and even forecast demand.

Industry leaders say the technology will not replace workers entirely, but it will have a significant impact on how operations move forward.

Analysts believe using AI to complement human judgment will be key. As more farmers adopt AI, there’s also a focus on ensuring that information is neutral and free of bias. According to tech developer John Kempf, doing so could require a significant step back.

“There are all types of bias that can occur,” Kempf said. “There can be just the bias of having 60 peer-reviewed papers saying one thing, and then three or four other papers saying something that is in direct conflict or in direct contrast to those. You also have a bias of recency versus historically. So Fieldlark doesn’t make recommendations for anhydrous ammonia, for example, or potassium chloride, because it’s looking at the broad array of evidence and the additional externalities and saying there are much smarter, much better ways. We haven’t given it any instructions, for example, to take a biological agriculture approach or to give it a regional agriculture approach because it needs to be bigger than that.”

Kempf told aginfo.net that AI training needs to be macro-focused and have a global perspective.

Related Stories
Kate Walker has the story, highlighting how students are learning to protect and preserve natural resources while gaining valuable technical and teamwork skills.
Experts highlight the importance of monitoring insecticide resistance in crops and improving disease traceability at livestock shows through RFID technology.
Lewie Pugh, with the Owner-Operator Independent Drivers Association, joined us on Monday’s Market Day Report to share his perspective on what the bill could mean for truckers.
Verified U.S. data show real leather’s carbon footprint is lower than advertised — an edge for the American cattle industry in both marketing and byproduct value.
Distillers dried grains (DDG) values follow corn and soybean meal trends, with ethanol grind and feed demand shaping costs into early 2026.
Recognizing phosphorus and potash as critical minerals underscores their importance in crop production and food security, providing producers with an added layer of risk protection.
For tight margins, contract grazing leverages existing acres into new income streams and spreads risk. Here are some tips for row crop farmers looking to diversify.
The Farm Bureau urges trade enforcement, biofuel growth, fair input pricing, and pro-farmer policy reforms to restore long-term certainty.
The first-ever “MICHELIN Guide to the American South” awards stars to top restaurants across Georgia, Louisiana, the Carolinas, and Tennessee, and pinpoints the region as a global food destination for the first time.

LATEST STORIES BY THIS AUTHOR:

Jake Charleston of Specialty Risk Insurance shares risk-reduction strategies to help cattle producers prepare for a successful year ahead.
Oregon FFA CEO Kjer Kizer discusses the proposed budget reductions, potential consequences, and the importance of protecting learning opportunities for students interested in agriculture.
RealAg Radio host Shaun Haney explains why the 2026 USMCA review could directly affect dairy access, produce competition, and export reliability for U.S. farmers and ranchers.
The report shows that, despite production challenges, dairy farmers are producing more milk with fewer resources per gallon across the industry.
Canada’s new voluntary Grocery Sector Code of Conduct will take effect on Jan. 1, a goodwill effort to promote fairness and transparency between retailers and support farms that sell directly to stores.
With record grain harvests and rising global ethanol demand, leaders across the ag and energy sectors are pushing for year-round E15 sales to mitigate the strain on grain trade.
Agriculture Shows
Special 3-part series tells the story of the Claas family’s legacy, which changed agriculture forever.
From soil to harvest. Top Crop is an all-new series about four of the best farmers in the world—Dan Luepkes, of Oregan, Illinois; Cory Atley, of Cedarville, Ohio; Shelby Fite, of Jackson Center, Ohio; Russell Hedrick, of Hickory, North Carolina—reveals what it takes for them to make a profitable crop. It all starts with good soil, patience, and a strong planter setup.
Champions of Rural America is a half-hour dive into the legislative priorities for Rural America. Join us as we interview members of the Congressional Western Caucus to learn about efforts in Washington to preserve agriculture and tackles the most important topics in the ag industry on Champions of Rural America!
Featuring members of Congress, federal and state officials, ag and food leaders, farmers, and roundtable panelists for debates and discussions.