By John Greig | 2026-09-25
https://farmtario.com/opinion/estimating-farms-ai-uptake-is-challenging/
Are Canadian farmers adopting artificial intelligence quickly or not?
A global survey of farmers said that farmer adoption of AI is happening at a rate that’s quicker than most other agriculture technologies, espcially in North America. But a Canadian study says farmers are lagging in general adoption of AI.
The McKinsey study, conducted every two years, surveys 5,500 farmers around the world and did so between April and July 2026.
Farm Credit Canada’s report relies on Statistics Canada numbers.
Both surveys could be correct.
Farming could be lagging the general economy, but could also be adopting the technology quicker than other agricultural technologies.
Who responded to the survey can also have an effect, although good researchers take into account those biases. Would a McKinsey survey attract younger or farmers working full time in agriculture versus numbers from StatCan?
I also expect surveys and studies are way behind the reality on subjects such as AI. Many people are trying it, including farmers and some will find uses and others will not.
It’s a simple technology to use minimally, which would be considered adoption. It takes time and learning to harness the greater power of artificial intelligence.
When it comes to that digital interaction, the McKinsey study said farmers are adopting AI at a faster rate than they have other farming technologies.
Useful AI tools already at work
McKinsey said that 17 per cent of farmers surveyed are using AI for farm-related tasks. Only four per cent are paying for the more-powerful versions of the technology, but the survey results said that farmers will be interested in paying for the technology into the future. About 75 per cent said that the technology will have an impact on farming. The McKinsey report didn’t address trust and data sharing concerns, and the FCC report identified that as a barrier.
North American farmers are the most willing to adopt AI at this point, said the McKinsey report, which grouped farms in Canada and the United States. This goes against some general public surveys that have found Americans and Canadians are suspicious of the technology.
Some adoption of AI is easy because the tools are less expensive and in many cases, useful level models already exist.
I know a farmer who tested the agronomic information from a mainstream AI and an agriculture-specific AI and found the information that was returned was similar in its accuracy.
When farmers find a seamless use case for something, they will adopt it quickly, especially if it fits budgets and improves efficiency. AI can be an easy win in both cases.