The Texas agriculture scene is embracing and, in a lot of cases, fully utilizing artificial intelligence and autonomous technology.
Farmers and ranchers are trying to make up for a declining labor participation with the use of these emerging technologies that have started to become a more normal use in multiple industries.
According to the Census of Agriculture, the number of farms using hired labor dropped by nearly 15% from 2017 to 2022. This has made farms look for other ways to remain efficient.
Texas Farm Bureau spokesman Gary Joiner said Texas is leading the way with having ai become integrated in their day-to-day.
"The average Texas farmer is using artificial intelligence right now and a lot of tools and software to be more precise in how they utilize their seed, feed, fertilizer," said Joiner.
The global population is expected to reach 10 billion by the year 2050. Joiner said these types of technology are going to allow farms to do more with less.
"You've got fewer farmers and ranchers in Texas and across the country on larger properties because of consolidation needing to feed a growing population," he said.
Some Texas farms are even using robots to increase productivity. Small and large farms are both having ai and autonomous technology work for them.
Joiner said advanced technology is becoming more common on farms and ranches because it's becoming more available and cost-friendly.
"Traditional agriculture is still very much at play on America's farms and ranches, but there is a transition taking place," Joiner said.