By Scout Nelson
Artificial intelligence is becoming an important tool on Nebraska farms as producers and researchers use advanced technology to improve efficiency, crop management, and sustainability. Farmers are increasingly using AI systems to monitor crops, manage resources, and support daily decision-making across agricultural operations.
Jordan Opp, Nebraska Public Media News, highlighted how artificial intelligence is changing farming operations across Nebraska. Fifth-generation Nebraska farmer Bart Beattie said artificial intelligence is already helping farmers complete work faster and make decisions more efficiently on the farm. Tasks that once required several hours can now be handled much faster using AI-supported systems and data analysis tools.
“We can spend 20 minutes telling it what we need and why it should go there,” Beattie said. “Instead of spending five hours trying to figure it out ourselves.”
Research from Farmonaut’s 2025 analysis of AI in agriculture shows the growing impact of these technologies across farming operations. Precision irrigation systems, satellite monitoring, and crop disease prediction tools are helping improve productivity while reducing costs and resource use. Some AI irrigation systems reduce water use by up to 30%, while predictive tools help lower pesticide and fertilizer use.
For many producers, AI also reduces time spent on routine decisions and allows workers to focus on other important farm responsibilities.
“If we don’t get it implemented, we’re going to be behind,” Beattie said. “There’s so many things we can use our manpower for and let AI handle the rest.”
Researchers at the University of Nebraska Lincoln are also studying how AI improves crop management. Shruti Das Choudhury, a research associate professor, explained that advanced imaging tools can detect drought stress, disease, and nutrient shortages before visible symptoms appear.
“The plants are monitored 24 hours, seven days a week, and the images are captured at regular intervals using five different camera modalities,” Das Choudhury said.
Researchers use greenhouse cameras and field monitoring systems to collect crop data and create models that recommend fertilizer and water applications. AI systems also help translate complex information into simple language so more farmers can use the technology effectively.
“Any computer-based modeling is not 100% foolproof,” she said.
Despite limitations, researchers and farmers believe AI will continue supporting agriculture by improving efficiency, reducing waste, and helping future generations manage farms more effectively.
“What keeps me up at night is failing the next generation,” Beattie said. “I don’t want to be the one that stops it.”
FAQ's:
- How is artificial intelligence helping Nebraska farmers?
AI helps farmers improve crop monitoring, reduce labor, and make faster decisions.
- What farming tasks can AI technology improve?
AI can improve irrigation, crop disease detection, fertilizer use, and resource management.
- How does AI help reduce water use on farms?
AI-driven irrigation systems can reduce water use by up to 30%.
- Why are researchers using advanced imaging tools in agriculture?
The tools help detect drought, disease, and nutrient stress before visible symptoms appear.
- Can small farms also benefit from artificial intelligence?
Yes, researchers say AI tools can support both large operations and family farms.
Photo Credit: pexels-flo-dnd
Categories: Nebraska, Crops, Equipment & Machinery