State of the Farm Report Explores AI and Digital Trends in Ag

Software tech company Bushel released its 2026 State of the Farm report, which the company said reveals a significant demographic shift and an accelerating appetite for digital-first financial and marketing tools.

For the first time in the report’s history, farmers under the age of 50 represent nearly 38.4 percent of the respondent pool, a sharp increase from 28.8 percent just one year ago. 

“This year’s data reveals a ‘changing of the guard’ as a younger, more digitally-native generation takes on larger decision-making roles,” Bushel said. “For both farmers and agribusinesses, the insights within this report serve as a roadmap for navigating the intersection of traditional practices and emerging technologies like Artificial Intelligence.”

In all, more than 1,400 farmers across the United States and Canada took part in the report.

This was the first time that Bushel asked farmers about artificial intelligence (AI). Fourteen percent said they are using AI tools on their farm today, and among larger farmers, 50 percent said they use it for business or financial analysis. Only 25 percent said they use AI for yield prediction or agronomy, showing early adoption centers more on business management than in-field advice.

Additionally, the report found that digital tools for grain marketing rose from 21 percent in 2024 to more than 31 percent in 2026. Today, 56 percent of farmers said they use an app or software for grain marketing.

The adoption is driven by more than just technology; it is a response to a complex farm economic climate. That includes:

1. Market Volatility & Speed: In the current economic climate, profit windows open and close quickly. Farmers are increasingly using apps to lock in prices or set offers instantly, rather than waiting for a return phone call from a grain buyer. 26 percent of respondents specifically cite “less hassle than phone calls or texts” as the primary advantage.
2. Margin Protection in a High-Cost Environment: With elevated input costs (fertilizer, fuel, and labor) and fluctuating interest rates, the margin for error has shrunk. Precise digital tracking allows farmers to know their break-even points and execute marketing plans that protect those slim margins.
3. The Demand for Better Documentation: 22.5 percent of farmers prioritize “clear documentation when tracking bids and sales activity.” As operations grow more complex, having a digital paper trail for every offer, contract, and settlement is essential for financial planning and bank reporting.
4. Managing Labor & Efficiency: On larger operations, the person making the marketing decisions is often multi-tasking. The ability to “edit or cancel offers on my time” (15 percent) allows for flexible marketing management during harvest or in-field work.
5. Digital Transparency: Apps give farmers the ability to compare bids across multiple buyers instantly (9 percent), ensuring they are capturing the best possible local basis in a competitive market.

The takeaway for farmers, according to Bushel?

“You are not alone in the digital transition. Peer data shows a growing trend toward using mobile apps for grain marketing and banking,” the report explained. “If you find tool integration difficult, you are in the majority — most producers still struggle to get different systems to ‘talk’ to each other, signaling a need for better industry standards.”

Image courtesy of Bushel

Other areas that the report hit on were the increasing financial pressure and reliance on financing, where equipment financing rose to 39.1 percent in 2026 from 28 percent in 2025; operating loans rose to 38.9 percent from 29.6 percent; and real estate loans rose to 31.2 percent from 21.6 percent.

Additionally, the gap between payment expectations and reality, particularly in terms of payment method. Farmers under 50 showed the biggest disconnect in how they get paid for grain versus how they want to get paid — 82.8 percent said they are currently paid by paper check, but only 54.9 percentsaid paper check is their preferred payment method.

Bushel noted that “The ‘next-gen’ farmer is here. Their preference for text-based communication and mobile-first banking means that traditional ‘in-person only’ services may become a bottleneck. Investing in digital lien processing, AI-driven insights, and seamless data
sharing will be the key to retaining loyalty among this younger, tech-forward cohort.”

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