From fields to algorithms: The rise of AI in the young farmer's toolkit
Like all British farmers, Thomas Pemberton has to deal with challenges including bad weather and rising costs. But he's among a group of young farmers who believe artificial intelligence (AI) can revolutionise the UK agricultural landscape.
Thomas, a fifth-generation dairy farmer from Lytham St Annes, Lancashire, says he's transformed his family farm into a high-tech operation utilising various AI systems.
"The progression that we've had in the last three, four years has been absolutely class and I'm well happy with it," he says.
Thomas admits there are situations where "nothing beats humans", but like many people his age raised in an era of smartphones and smart technology he is eager to adopt new innovations into his farming practices. One such method is a special cow collar that provides real-time information on the animals' vital signs.
"I think it makes it more appealing, you can kind of see how everything's performing," he says. "AI can help that system, and you can see it on a computer and you can see facts and figures."
According to a report by the Royal Agricultural University (RAU), the adoption of AI and other digital technologies in UK agriculture is rapidly increasing, with roughly 67% of farms now utilising some form of precision farming technology. The UK government has also funded several research projects focused on AI applications in agriculture. Data from the National Farmers' Union (NFU) indicates that farms using AI technologies have seen improvements in efficiency and productivity, with some studies showing yield increases of up to 20%.
These include precision agriculture tools, predictive analytics, and automated machinery. Drones equipped with advanced sensors are a popular tool. They can fly over fields collecting real-time data on crop health and soil conditions, with AI analysis of the data providing insights into optimal planting times, irrigation schedules and pest management strategies.
This image was made using AI to showcase just how advanced the technology has gotten.
This image was made using AI to showcase just how advanced the technology has gotten.
Planting seeds of success
According to Thomas the main drawback of AI currently is the cost. "The biggest challenge was paying for it, making sure that you spend this money wisely," he says. "Farming is hard enough, and if you spend money and make a loss on it, it's a huge blow."
He says his farm takes a balanced approach to innovation. "We try to do little things, see if it works," he says. "If it does work, push on a bit harder. If it doesn't, we can pull it back. Don't jump in with two feet, because it can be really, really costly."
AI is a growing business, and companies dedicated to farming solutions are already well-established. Agrii, a UK-based startup, is best-known for its flagship AgriVision product - a crop-monitoring platform that uses satellite imaging and algorithms to give farmers real-time information on their crops, including threats from pests and crop diseases.
A revolution?
Jonathan Trotter, from Agrii, says AI has already "revolutionised" farming and helped to ease problems such as labour shortages. But he admits the technology remains expensive, and that, unlike Thomas, not all farmers have the technical knowledge to use AI tools effectively. He also agrees with Thomas's assessment that it can't replace humans entirely.
"While AI offers numerous benefits, it is important to balance dependence on technology with traditional farming knowledge to ensure sustainable practices," he says.
Agri's products start at £500, increasing with the size of the farm. One well-known drone system's prices start at £10,000, with additional costs for data analysis and support. Technology giants Microsoft and IBM also have their own AI-driven agriculture systems with subscription pricing models.
There are other barriers for farmers looking to embrace AI. The technology relies on a solid internet connection but the National Young Farmers' Clubs Federation found that only 30% of UK young farmers have access to high-speed internet. Another survey found many had concerns about the security of their data.
It's hoped that, given the investment and interest in the sector, prices will come down as technology improves, and there are calls for stronger frameworks around data protection.
Despite the significant costs and other hurdles, Thomas believes AI is a worthwhile investment. He thinks it will only get better as more farms start to use the technology and share the data they gather.
"I kind of go with the idea that the more people use this system, the more data they have, the more efficient we can get," he says. "It raises everyone up."
Embracing the future of farming with AI technology on his dairy farm, see how farmer and Youtuber Tom used tools to make it easier for him to track his cows milk production.
Innovations in farming technology
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