An agronomist crouches in a crop field examining soil while holding a clipboard as AI tools reshape how on-farm agronomy decisions are made. Photo: Getty Images

How AI is changing on-farm agronomy and decision-making

World Agri-Tech summit shows the agronomist's role isn't disappearing, but the job is shifting from data interpretation to ground-truthing AI recommendations

Discussions at the World Agri-Tech Innovation Summit point to shift in farm agronomy — less time pulling data, more time stress-testing AI recommendations.



Speaking at the 2025 Canadian Hemp Trade Alliance conference, Plantae’s Trevor Kloeck said exaggerated claims have eroded credibility and now the sector needs a reset. Photo: Don Norman

Time to be honest about hemp, experts say

Sector aims to move past early “hemp evangelism,” told the crop’s future lies in honest agronomy, not exaggerated claims

Years of hype have given way to a more realistic view of hemp. Farmers and processors say the crop's future depends on solid agronomy, honesty.



verticillium stripe cross section, canola plant. Photo: Janelle Rudolph

Manitoba canola embattled by verticillium

Verticillium stripe pressure has been growing in the province and growers have precious few tools to protect their crops from disease

Verticillium stripe pressure has been growing in Manitoba, and canola farmers still have precious few tools to protect their crop from the disease.