Farmer perspectives on digital agriculture in the US Midwest

Authors: CANO, PRISCILA - Purdue University; MANDRINI, GERMAN - Purdue University; BUCKMASTER, DENNIS - Purdue University; ARNALL, BRIAN - Oklahoma State University; CARROLL, MATTHEW - Kansas State University; SHARDA, AJAY - Kansas State University; BALBOA, GUILLERMO - University Of Nebraska; CARCEDO, ANA - North Dakota State University; HAWKINS, ELIZABETH - The Ohio State University; FULTON, JOHN - The Ohio State University; REIS, ANDRE - University Of Missouri; SHANNON, KENT - University Of Missouri; Sudduth, Kenneth; KOVACS, PETER - South Dakota State University; PHILLIPS, STEVE - Oklahoma State University; ZHOU, JIANFENG - University Of Missouri; ERICKSON, BRUCE - Purdue University; CIAMPITTI, IGNACIO - Purdue University

Submitted to: Agronomy Journal
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 11/13/2025
Publication Date: 1/7/2026
Citation: Cano, P., Mandrini, G., Buckmaster, D., Arnall, B., Carroll, M., Sharda, A., Balboa, G., Carcedo, A., Hawkins, E., Fulton, J., Reis, A.F., Shannon, K., Sudduth, K.A., Kovacs, P., Phillips, S., Zhou, J., Erickson, B., Ciampitti, I. 2026. Farmer perspectives on digital agriculture in the US Midwest. Agronomy Journal. 118(1). Article e70268. https://doi.org/10.1002/agj2.70268.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1002/agj2.70268

Interpretive Summary: Farmers in the US Midwest are using digital technologies to help them farm more efficiently. This study asked 247 farmers about their use of these tools, what they find helpful, and what challenges they face. Most farmers have been using technologies like auto-guidance and yield mapping for over 10 years. The main reasons for adopting these tools were to increase profits, optimize inputs, and boost productivity. However, high costs compared to benefits and small farm size were common barriers to adoption. Farmers identified fertilizer efficiency, pest management, and water management as top challenges they want digital tools to address. While many recognized environmental benefits, economic factors were the primary drivers of adoption. This research helps technology developers and policymakers understand farmer needs, enabling the creation of more useful and accessible agricultural tools.

Technical Abstract: Digital agriculture is emerging as the next green revolution, helping farmers to make data-informed decisions that increase productivity and optimize resource use. Understanding farmers' perceptions of current barriers and future opportunities for technology adoption is necessary for sustainable agriculture. This study aimed to identify trends and patterns in farmers' perceptions of digital agriculture technology adoption. A survey was distributed across most of the Midwest region of the United States, collecting 247 responses. Results showed 93% used digital agricultural technology, with long-term (>10 years) adoption of auto-guidance (55%), yield mapping (52%), and variable rate technologies (35%). Perceived financial profitability was a key driver of technology adoption (36%), followed by input optimization (18%) and productivity (16%). The main barrier was high-cost relative to perceived benefit (31%), followed by small farm size (16%) and equipment incompatibility (14%). Environmental benefits emerged as a tertiary motivator, and their lower prioritization suggests that farmers focus more on the economic dimension of sustainability when adopting new technologies. Fertilizer efficiency (27%), pest management (18%), and water management (13%) were top challenges to address. Findings suggest that digital agriculture adoption is primarily driven by economic considerations, with cost-benefit analysis and entry costs as key determinants in Midwest farming systems.