Modern Farming Benefits From AI

By Scout Nelson

Artificial intelligence is becoming an important tool in agriculture, as shown by a recent success in the Testing Ag Performance Solutions (TAPS) competition. Nipuna Chamara, a research assistant professor, used AI technology to win a category in the 2025 contest.

The TAPS competition allows participants to manage real crop fields of corn and soybeans throughout the growing season. They must make key decisions about planting, watering, fertilizing, pest control, and marketing. The goal is to achieve the best results in yield, profitability, and input efficiency.

Chamara first joined the competition in 2024 with support from experts in different agricultural fields. During that time, AI tools required manual data entry, such as soil moisture, weather conditions, and crop details. The team followed AI suggestions but achieved only moderate success, finishing seventh in one category.

In 2025, AI technology improved significantly. It could gather real-time information from the internet, including weather updates and market price changes. It also used past data to provide better recommendations. Chamara and his team regularly uploaded reports and asked clear questions to guide their decisions.

One important recommendation from AI was to secure corn prices early due to unstable market conditions caused by new tariffs. This helped improve financial outcomes. As a result, Chamara’s team achieved first place in the highest corn yield category in the Mead sprinkler corn competition.

“If a person like me, who’s not a farmer, can use AI to win a competition like this. Imagine what a seasoned farmer, with decades of experience and knowledge, could do with this tool,” Chamara said.

Despite these benefits, experts warn that AI is not perfect. It may sometimes use incorrect information, so farmers must rely on trusted data sources and their own experience. Good record-keeping also helps AI provide better results.

In the future, Chamara hopes to see systems where farm sensors connect directly to AI tools. This would allow real-time updates and faster decision-making, helping farmers improve sustainability, efficiency, and overall farm performance.

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