AI Helps Farmers Make Better Crop Decisions With Real-Time Data
A university researcher won a major agricultural competition by using AI to manage corn and soybean crops, demonstrating how the technology can improve farming decisions when paired with human judgment.
Nipuna Chamara, assistant professor in biological systems engineering at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, placed first in the highest corn yield category at the 2025 Testing Ag Performance Solutions (TAPS) competition. The program requires participants to manage crops over an entire growing season, making decisions on irrigation, fertilization, pest control, and marketing.
How the AI system worked
In his first attempt in 2024, Chamara's team manually fed AI tools information about soil conditions, weather, and crop details. That approach produced moderate results-seventh place in yield.
By 2025, the system had improved significantly. The AI could now access real-time market trends and weather updates, and it learned from past competition data. Chamara's team uploaded regular reports and asked specific questions to guide the system's recommendations.
One example: the AI flagged an opportunity to lock in corn prices early due to market volatility from new tariffs. That decision improved profitability and contributed to the first-place finish.
The human element remains critical
Chamara acknowledged the limits of working with AI alone. "If a person like me, who's not a farmer, can use AI to win a competition like this, imagine what a seasoned farmer, with decades of experience and knowledge, could do with this tool," he said.
Experts stress that farmers should not rely on AI recommendations without verification. The system can sometimes work from incorrect information, so recommendations need validation against trusted sources. Strong digital records and reliable data make AI more effective.
What comes next
Chamara plans to develop tools that connect farm sensors directly to AI systems, enabling automatic updates throughout the growing season. Faster, more accurate decisions could improve both sustainability and productivity.
For managers overseeing operations in any sector, the takeaway is straightforward: real-time data analysis combined with human expertise produces better outcomes than either alone. AI for management works best when you treat it as a tool that surfaces patterns and options-not as a decision-maker.
Your membership also unlocks:
