Embracing AI in Ag | Can AI help take the guess work out of farming?

Embracing AI in Ag | Can AI help take the guess work out of farming?

Cummins farmer Will Long recently set himself a simple challenge, asking himself “can Artificial Intelligence (AI) help build a practical farm app from scratch?”

Sounds fairly straightforward. But was it?

Like many farmers, Will was looking for a simple way to log fuel use across several tanks on different properties, track stock levels, and receive notifications when tanks were getting low. He also wanted the app to show which machines were using fuel and when.

Turning to AI, Will used the platform as a ‘coach’ to work through the steps of building a basic web app. It helped explain what to do next, fill knowledge gaps, troubleshoot problems, and keep the project moving.

“For someone with zero (software) experience, having a ‘coach’ that could step you through almost all the problems was actually pretty fun and engaging,” Will said.

While exploring the possibilities AI could offer was enjoyable, Will encountered unforeseen roadblocks that prevented the app from progressing beyond the initial build. The main reason was not due the app failing, but that publishing and hosting was more complicated than initially realised, required linking several online accounts, raising cyber security concerns and pushed the project outside his comfort zone.

Which raises some interesting points.

AI can certainly open doors (and quickly), but it does not remove the need to think carefully about data, privacy, security and whether a new tool is genuinely better than the system already in place.

Will has since gone back to using his old Microsoft Forms system to record fuel use, but reflects on the process positively.

“I’m not sure I’d recommend someone spending lots of time on a project like this unless it was more about curiosity than productivity,” he said. “But it was definitely not a waste of time.”

Key messages

• AI does not have to start with a big, shiny project. It can begin with a small farm problem you already understand
• The real value might be in the learning, not just the finished product
• A working app is not always the same as a practical, safe or long-term business solution
• Cyber security, data ownership and privacy matters – especially when personal, farm business information is involved
• Curiosity is a good reason to experiment, but productivity gains should be tested honestly

So, what could you try?

This article is not suggesting readers should rush out to build their own farm app.

We are simply opening up the conversation to ask readers where and how they see the fit for AI in Ag.

Could it help navigate a problem, test an idea, draft a plan, compare options, or save a bit of time?

Maybe it can help write machinery maintenance checklists?

Can it help by summarising spray records?

Perhaps it’s drafting staff procedures, comparing grain marketing notes, planning logistics, or turning handwritten ideas into something more structured.

The challenge is to start small, stay practical, while asking “Is this actually helping?”

Testing the ‘AI’ waters

Try using AI on one low-risk task in your farming system or business. Keep it small, avoid sharing sensitive information, and compare the result with how you would normally do the job.

Good starting points might include:

• Drafting a checklist or standard operating procedure
• Summarising notes from an event or workshop
• Brainstorming ways to improve an existing farm record system
• Exploring an idea before deciding whether it is worth investing more time in

Are you using AI in your farm business?

AIR EP would love to hear from farmers, advisers and rural businesses who are experimenting with AI in practical ways — whether it has been a big success, a useful learning experience, or something that did not quite work as planned.

To share your experience, contact AIR EP Operations Manager Rowena Norris at [email protected]

Want more information?

The South Australian AI Capability Pilot Program is a practical, government-supported program helping South Australian small and family businesses with less than 20 FTEs adopt AI safely, confidently, and with real business impact.

Delivered by simplefy.ai, the program provides practical, cost-effective and tailored support to help businesses overcome common barriers to AI adoption such as cost, time and capability, while building confidence to use AI and cyber tools safely and ethically to unlock real business outcomes.

If you’re interested in finding out more or register more information is available at https://simplefy.ai/south-australian-ai-capability-pilot-program

Thank you

Thank you to Will Long for generously sharing his experience and reflections.