August 12, 2026 Alaina Friesleben
https://www.farmprogress.com/farm-progress-show/check-out-next-big-thing-in-ai-at-farm-progress-show
Iowa State University is a hub for innovation, and that’s no different for the Farm Progress Show. Between rows of iron, visitors can find a different kind of horsepower: artificial intelligence.
At this year’s Farm Progress Show, Sept. 1-3 near Boone, Iowa, ISU researchers will showcase over a decade of research translated into practical tools for farmers.
Arti Singh, an ISU associate professor of agronomy, along with members of the AI Institute for Resilient Agriculture (AIIRA) team, will present new developments for the returning Pest ID web application.
How does it work? Simply put, a farmer can upload a photo from their field to the tool. Using machine learning — a type of AI that improves by analyzing large amounts of data — it compares the image against a dataset of thousands of labeled photos compiled by Singh and her team.
From that, it can identify everything from insect egg masses and weed seedling stages to adult insects and weeds, with an accuracy rate of 96% to 100%.
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Midwest-specific approach
Pest ID is back with enhanced features designed for the challenges of the Corn Belt.
While the Pest ID system can identify 4,000 insect species and 1,600 weed species, this year’s exhibit highlights a new local model specifically fine-tuned for the weeds, insects and diseases relevant to Iowa and Midwest stakeholders.
By narrowing the focus to local pest problems, the tool provides faster, more relevant results for producers who need to know exactly what is in their field rather than a global list.
Additionally, following last year’s beta testing, the team is launching an upgraded Midwest chatbot. The feature allows farmers to go beyond identifying pests and discuss management strategies in real time.
For example, after the tool identifies a photograph as a particular weed or insect, farmers can ask follow-up questions such as “How do I manage this weed?” or “Is this insect harmful or beneficial?”
The chatbot, trained with local integrated pest management manuals, will generate an answer vetted by ISU weed science experts.
“This is where I think the real benefit of these apps is: that we are working with our experts here in Iowa, and that we can bring that expert knowledge — which is right now in our manuals, books [and] blogs — and we convert that into a real-time tool,” Singh said.
To access Pest ID, visit pest-id.las.iastate.edu.
New frontiers on horizon
Another significant development centers specifically on corn and soybean disease identification. Singh said this is a notorious challenge because bacterial, viral and fungal stresses often look the same: yellowing, browning or plant dieback.
Related:New online tools help farmers track pests as they emerge
To solve this, Singh and AIIRA team members are utilizing new AI technologies that allow the system to draw on existing expert knowledge to identify diseases without the thousands of training images required for insect and weed identification.
A new drop-down menu will allow farmers to select their specific crop to receive a more accurate diagnostic path.
Singh’s team also is focusing on the next generation of land stewards. The exhibit features new educational games designed to teach youth and adults how to identify invasive species and pests.
Alongside these, the team is showcasing drone, satellite and rover workbooks and curricula developed for K-12 teachers and students.
The exhibit is a two-way street. Singh noted that farmers’ questions at previous shows — like “Why not identify pollinators?”— directly become the team’s next priorities.
“You can do anything in your closed-door research, but if you’re not interacting with the people you serve, it won’t be as valuable for the community,” Singh said.
She welcomes farmers and encourages them to bring their questions, test the apps, and see how AI is being used to support the future of agriculture.