Walt Breitinger Times Columnist | Sep 18, 2026
https://nwitimes.com/news/local/business/article_ebe19b7b-2ee6-4549-87ed-c3e110b26f70.html
he AI industry, including AI stocks, is currently taking a terrible hit amid criticism and fears expressed by political leaders, AI companies and academics.
Despite this, artificial intelligence is plowing through the agricultural landscape in ways that were unimaginable a decade ago.
AI technology is making farming smarter and more sustainable. AI doesn’t just help large scale farmers. Even small family farms can now access tools that were more resilient against climate change, once out of reach, ensuring better crop management, resource efficiency and reduced environmental impact.
In other words, AI in agriculture is quietly revolutionizing how we feed the world, helping farms and farmers thrive in a rapidly changing world.
Farming grows into modern times
AI is moving farming into the modern era. Precision chemical spraying uses field cameras to detect weeds and apply herbicides and irrigation only where needed.
Predictive models can analyze weather patterns and soil health to estimate production. Sensors can monitor moisture levels to conserve water, and crop gene editing can identify drought traits and disease resistance in crops.
For livestock, wearable collars track movement, body temperature and feeding habits. Computer vision and sound detect animal distress such as slumped posture and coughing.
Robotic milking and smart feeders adjust to animal weight and life stage while barn sensors track barn temperature, humidity and ammonia to prevent illness and heat stress.
The biggest movers this week
Oats and diesel fuel were among the biggest movers this week, with oats up 25 cents per bushel and diesel up in the 5- to 10-cent per gallon range.
A shortage of refining capacity drove diesel sharply higher while oats were up due to weather concerns and the ongoing trade dispute with Canada.
Nearly 90% of the oats in the U.S. are typically imported from Canada. Diesel for sale at the pump (with taxes) has reached an all-time high over $8.00 per gallon in some areas.
CME midday prices – November soybeans, $13.05; December corn, $5.28; December wheat, $7.14. Livestock per 100 pounds: October cattle, $216.00; October hogs, $78.10. Metals per troy ounce: December gold, $4,431; December silver, $67.26, December copper per pound: $6.70. October crude oil per barrel: (WTI) $100.75. September S&P futures traded at 7694.00.