Artificial intelligence on the farm

13 hours ago

6 min read

8 ways to use artificial intelligence as an assistant

Author: Andrei Girz

Farming has always been about managing millions of moving variables: unpredictable weather, fluctuating market prices, equipment failures, and the complex biology of soil and plants. Modern farming tools provide us with more data than ever before. But as any farmer can tell you, a mountain of data is not the same as the answer.

To succeed in a market where margins are low and costs are high, while regulations govern every aspect of the farm, a farmer must be an expert in at least a dozen different areas. This creates enormous pressure. Where does a farmer find the time to do all this, alone or with a small team, while also managing the practicalities of farming? What about time with family?

Artificial intelligence (AI) can enter the picture as a new solution.

When talking about AI in agriculture, it’s easy to imagine million-dollar autonomous tractors or sci-fi robots picking apples. However, the most immediate and effective way to use AI on the farm today costs next to nothing. It’s about using AI as an intelligent assistant in your pocket – a tireless and analytical partner that helps you cut through the noise, solve problems, and make better decisions. In other words, we’re turning AI into an affordable problem-solving tool.

It is essential to understand that artificial intelligence can help solve practically any problem. The difference is how much and when it can be done without it. It often depends on the user. But you can only get to know its capabilities by trying it out. It all depends on the instructions, or prompts, that you give.

Here are eight practical ways to use AI in agriculture

1. Determining machine error codes and fault conditions

One of the most straightforward ways to use AI is to diagnose faults in agricultural machinery. Instead of spending an hour poring over a dusty 500-page manual or waiting for a mechanic, you can get instant troubleshooting steps to get your machine back to work. You can enter the exact machine model, error code, and information about what the tractor was doing when the fault occurred.

Example prompt: "My [John Deere 6155R] just gave an error code [ECU 000094.02]. I was pulling a heavy cultivator uphill. What does this code mean, what is the most likely physical cause, and what are the first three things I should check before calling a mechanic?"

2. Understanding complex technical issues

Agri-tech companies use a lot of fancy jargon to sell expensive equipment. AI can help you see through the marketing jargon so you can decide if the technology is really worth your money. For example, you can ask AI to explain a concept in simple terms, asking specifically about the practical benefits and drawbacks for your farm size and context.

Example prompt: "Salespeople are trying to get me to buy a new tractor with a guidance system instead of installing an 'RTK GPS' system on my current, working tractor. Explain how RTK works like you would to a 10-year-old. Then tell me if it's really worth the extra cost [for a 50-acre grain and hay farm]."

3. Simple accounting

Turn a messy stack of receipts or a vague bank file into a clean spreadsheet in seconds, saving you manual data entry for tax or financial planning purposes. You can copy and paste raw text, PDF receipts, or transaction lists directly into the AI and have it classify the data.

Example prompt: "I'm attaching a messy list of 30 bank transactions below. Extract the date, vendor name, and amount from them and organize them into a clear table. Categorize each one into standard farm expenses, such as 'Fuel', 'Feed', 'Repairs', or 'Supplies', and list the VAT paid and refundable."

4. Financial planning and strategy

Before you spend thousands of dollars on a new idea, you can run a quick "stress test" on your project to see if the math works in reality. Give the AI an idea, estimated costs, and expected sales prices, and ask it to find a critical point or highlight financial risks.

Example prompt: "I want to start a pastured egg business with 200 chickens. The chicken costs X €, feed is Y €/month and the portable enclosure is Z €. If I sell eggs for 5.50 € per 10-egg cage, calculate my break-even point and in which year I can earn an annual salary of 30,000 € after taxes if I grow the flock by 20% annually. What are two hidden costs that I might be forgetting? What are the best marketing options? Where in Finland can I find like-minded farmers?"

5. Learning new management tools – plant analysis and foliar fertilization

Getting started with new tools and practices is often a daunting task – learning and getting to grips with them takes time and effort. It can also be difficult to find the right advice. Plant Sap Analysis and foliar fertilization are tools that are increasingly being used around the world to improve plants’ ability to synthesize and utilize nutrients. This has improved crop quality and reduced the need for fertilizer.

Using artificial intelligence as an assistant, you can start experimenting and learning how to use plant analysis in conjunction with foliar fertilization.

Example prompt (Winter planning): "I want to try plant analysis and foliar fertilization on my farm. I grow cereals and this year I want to test on a 30 m2 field how this technology works and what are the benefits. Help me understand at which growth stages I should take samples and how. How does NovaCropControl perform the analysis? What is the difference between plant and plant tissue analysis?"
Example prompt (Analysis interpretation): "I have received the analysis results from the Netherlands, you will find them attached. Please interpret them for me in detail, explaining what I am looking at. Also suggest measures to correct the imbalances."

6. Drafting grant applications

Bureaucracy can be exhausting. Artificial intelligence can translate your practical ideas into formal, professional language that authorities or private funders will want to read. You can start by writing a quick list in French of what you want to do. If there is an application form or guidelines available, you can include them for best results.

Sample prompt: "I am applying for a pilot grant from the ELY Centre. I need a 300-word project description. Here are my notes: 'I want to buy a no-till seed drill. I will stop plowing. This saves diesel and keeps carbon in the ground. Better for earthworms.' Please use this to craft a professional and convincing application. Attached is the application form and background information for the pilot grant."

7. Improving soil growth conditions through cultivation decisions

There are many ways to improve soil fertility. For example, you can adjust the tire pressure of your tractor, improve crop rotation, use catch crops, or optimize fertilization. With artificial intelligence, you can get precise agronomic advice that is tailored to your equipment and soil. This does not replace your own thinking or a good advisor, but it can both reduce the consultant bill and improve the quality of decisions.

Example prompt (Tire pressures): "I have a [Valtra T174] tractor that weighs [7,300 kg]. It has [650/65R38] tires at the rear and [540/65R28] tires at the front. I plan to spread manure on a wet spring bed. What is the optimal tire pressure to minimize soil compaction and why?"
Example prompt (Soil analysis): "I just received the results of my soil analysis. Phosphorus is [High], Potassium is [Low], and pH is [5.8]. I want to plant winter wheat. Based on these numbers, what kind of fertilizer mix should I buy and do I need to lime? Please explain in detail everything that may be relevant to the fertility of my soil."

8. Crop rotation planning

Planning a crop rotation in your head while driving a tractor often leads to repeating mistakes or forgetting ideas. AI can instantly map out multi-year plans. It can offer different scenarios and their pros and cons. Tell the AI what you have grown in the past, your soil type and your goals (e.g. nitrogen use efficiency, weed control, improving soil structure).

Example prompt: "I have a stiff clay field. Two years ago I planted [winter wheat] and last year [oats]. I am having problems with [a specific species of] broadleaf weeds. Explain the life cycle of this weed and suggest a 5-year crop rotation that naturally breaks the weed cycle, builds organic matter, and includes potential catch crops. Please note that I live in Finland, which has a short growing season, dry springs, and wet autumns."

Summary: AI is a tool, not a master

The rule of thumb is: Trust, but always verify . Artificial intelligence can handle the heavy lifting of organizing information and supporting the development of ideas, but always use common sense, your farming experience, or ask an advisor before making a final decision.

The ability of an AI to act as an assistant can only be determined by experimenting. Most AIs, such as Gemini, Copilot, ChatGPT and Claude, are available for free to use and test. Full analytical power is usually available for a modest monthly fee if the experiments begin to become established.