American and Arizona agriculture has seen remarkable technological advances in recent years, driven by the need to increase productivity, enhance sustainability, and address challenges like labor shortages, water scarcity, and food insecurity.

These innovations are boosting productivity. For example, U.S. agricultural output has increased significantly since the mid-20th century, with corn yields quadrupling and soybean yields doubling by 2011. These innovations are also supporting sustainability goals, like reducing emissions and water use. The USDA’s Agriculture Innovation Agenda aims to increase production by 40% while halving the environmental footprint by 2050, aligning with many of these technologies.

Challenges remain: high upfront costs, limited rural broadband access, and data-sharing concerns hinder widespread adoption, particularly for small farmers.

But despite the challenges, American agriculture is at the forefront of a tech-driven revolution, blending AI, robotics, and sustainable practices to meet future demands. As these technologies mature, they promise to make farming more efficient, resilient, and environmentally friendly.

Below is an overview of some of the most significant recent technology innovations shaping the industry as of 2025.

 

1. Precision Agriculture

Precision agriculture continues to evolve, leveraging tools like GPS, drones, sensors, and data analytics to optimize farming practices. Farmers can now monitor soil conditions, crop health, and weather patterns in real-time, applying water, fertilizers, and pesticides only where needed. For example, GPS-guided tractors and auto-steering equipment allow for precise planting and harvesting, reducing waste and improving yields. The adoption of these technologies has grown, about 27% of U.S. farms used precision agriculture practices as of mid-2023, also indicating room for further expansion.

2. Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning

AI is transforming agriculture by enabling smarter decision-making. AI-powered systems, such as John Deere’s “See & Spray” technology (developed through the acquisition of Blue River Technology), use computer vision to distinguish crops from weeds, applying herbicides only to unwanted plants. This reduces chemical use by up to 90% in some cases. Similarly, companies like Arva Intelligence use AI to analyze farm data — genetics, soil fertility, and climate — to provide customized crop planning recommendations. AI is also being integrated into drones and sensors for pest detection and yield prediction.

There is potential pushback in adoption as farmers and ranchers want to know their own data is safe.

3. Robotics and Automation

Robotic systems are addressing labor shortages and boosting efficiency. Autonomous tractors, like those from John Deere, can plant, spray, or harvest crops with minimal human intervention, controlled via smartphone apps. Robotic harvesters, such as those developed by Tevel Aerobotics Technologies in partnership with Kubota, use AI to pick ripe fruit gently, increasing efficiency and reducing waste. Additionally, innovations like the LaserWeeder employ AI-driven lasers to zap weeds without chemicals, while lightweight autonomous machines reduce soil compaction during planting.

Here, adoption can be challenging because of the cost of entry for these technologies.

4. Drones and Aerial Imaging

Drones equipped with advanced cameras and sensors are increasingly used for crop monitoring, livestock management, and even targeted spraying. They provide high-resolution data on plant health, soil moisture, and field conditions, allowing farmers to respond quickly to issues. For instance, Kray Technologies’ unmanned drone crop sprayers can cover up to 1,200 acres per day, cutting application costs significantly while boosting yields by 20-40%.

5. Internet of Things (IoT) and Smart Farming

IoT devices, such as soil moisture sensors and livestock activity monitors, collect real-time data, enabling farmers to manage resources efficiently. Webee’s SmartFarm platform, recognized in 2021 as a top agricultural SaaS product, offers a no-code solution for remote farm monitoring, integrating data from sensors and weather forecasts. This trend is supported by the rollout of 5G networks, which enhances connectivity in rural areas, allowing for seamless data transmission and automation.

The University of Arizona is doing some leading research work with livestock collars for virtual fencing advances.

6. Biotechnology and Gene Editing

Advances in biotechnology are producing climate-resilient crops that withstand drought, heat, and pests. Gene editing techniques, like CRISPR, allow for precise enhancements without the controversies of traditional GMOs. Minichromosome technology is another innovation, improving plant traits without altering their core genetics, and promoting biodiversity and sustainability. Biological pesticides and biocontrol agents are also reducing reliance on synthetic chemicals.

7. Vertical Farming and Controlled Environment Agriculture (CEA)

Indoor vertical farming is gaining traction, especially in urban areas or regions with harsh climates. Using hydroponics or aeroponics, these systems grow crops in stacked layers with nutrient-rich water, cutting water use by up to 90% compared to traditional methods. Companies are integrating AI and IoT to control lighting, humidity, and nutrients, ensuring year-round production with minimal environmental impact.

8. Bee Vectoring and Pollination Tech

Innovations like Bee Vectoring Technologies (BVT) use commercially raised bees to deliver natural fungi (e.g., Vectorite) to crops, enhancing disease resistance and pollination without chemicals. Meanwhile, MIT’s robotic insects, still in development, aim to pollinate crops rapidly, potentially revolutionizing fruit and vegetable production as natural pollinators decline.

9. Sustainable Practices and Data Analytics

Farm management software and data analytics tools help farmers track soil quality, weather, and resource use, optimizing yields while reducing costs. Platforms like Croptracker’s Harvest Quality Vision (HQV) use AI to assess crop quality during harvest, ensuring consistency. Sustainable practices, such as no-till farming and closed-loop wastewater treatment systems, are also supported by tech, recycling water and nutrients back into fields.

10. Blockchain and Supply Chain Transparency

Blockchain technology is being adopted to trace food from farm to table, ensuring quality and safety. Walmart uses Hyperledger to detect unwholesome food in real-time, while startups are integrating blockchain with IoT to monitor crop conditions and logistics, enhancing transparency for consumers and regulators.

More is still to come, and adoption rates vary based on the technology. If the cost of entry is too high, small to mid-sized farmers will feel left out. Some of these issues and more were addressed in the latest “Farm Fresh” show on Rosie on the House, March 1. You can also watch the YouTube clips of the show. 

Our guest, Tyson Swetnam, Ph.D., is the University of Arizona’s Research Associate Professor of Geoinformatics and the Director of Open Science in the Institute for Computation and Data-enabled Insight. His commentary, embedded for your convenience below, highlights some of the technology challenges including concerns about data capture of farming information. He also discusses the transformative opportunities these innovations can produce.