The USDA's final Crop Progress report for the season, released on November 25th, marks the end of an eventful and record-setting harvest for many states. Let's take a detailed look at where the corn harvest stands in the nation's top three corn-growing states - Iowa, Nebraska, and Illinois.

Unveiling the Corn Harvest Status in Key States

Iowa - A Bountiful Harvest Amid Challenges

In Iowa, the corn harvest for grain is "virtually complete," as reported in the Iowa Crop Progress and Condition report. Despite only having 4.3 suitable days for fieldwork, the harvest reached 98% by the week ending November 24th. This is 2 points ahead of the five-year average of 96%. Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig expressed gratitude for another bountiful harvest, despite facing a wet spring, a dry fall, and some challenging severe weather. Record or near-record yields and production for both corn and soybeans, combined with commodity prices not keeping up with costs, highlight the need to expand markets locally, domestically, and internationally. As Iowans gather around the table this Thanksgiving, they should remember the hard work of farmers who make it all possible.The farmers in Iowa have shown remarkable resilience in overcoming various obstacles to achieve such a high harvest percentage. Their dedication and expertise have played a crucial role in ensuring a successful harvest.

Nebraska - The Longest Stretch for the Last 5%

In Nebraska, as noted by Travis Gustafson, a Syngenta agronomist covering central and western Nebraska, the last 5% of corn harvest takes the longest. Some growers leave the corn in the field and harvest it as needed for livestock feed. Others may have faced operational challenges during harvest that prevented them from completing the job. The USDA reported that Nebraska farmers had 5.3 suitable days for fieldwork in the week ending November 24th and 5.7 suitable days the week before. The last reported percentage for corn harvested in Nebraska was 97% by the week ending November 17th, ahead of the five-year average of 93%. Overall, Gustafson anticipates calling it a wrap on corn harvest around December 1st as they are ahead of prior years at this point in November.The unique challenges faced by Nebraska farmers during the harvest season add to the complexity of the agricultural landscape. Their ability to adapt and make the most of the available conditions is truly remarkable.

Illinois - Almost Wrapped Up with Post-Harvest Activities

In Illinois, the last reported percentage for corn harvest progress was 97% for the week ending November 10th. Comparing this to last year's final report for the week ending November 26th, 2023, when the USDA said Illinois' corn harvest progress had reached 99%, it's a fair estimate that Illinois' corn harvest is essentially wrapped up. Wyffels Agronomy Manager Ryan Gentle in Marietta, Illinois, mentioned that post-harvest activities like tillage and anhydrous application are in full swing in the state.Illinois farmers have efficiently managed their harvest operations, and now they are focused on the next steps in the agricultural cycle. Their attention to detail and timely actions contribute to the overall success of the farming industry.

Artificial intelligence (AI) is emerging as a game-changer in the tech sector, with far-reaching implications for every industry. In agriculture, this technology is already making its mark, bringing new possibilities and challenges. Let's explore how AI is transforming the farming landscape.

Revolutionize Agriculture with AI's Power

How It Works

OpenAI's ChatGPT stands at the forefront of AI, integrated into many businesses. It generates text by "reading" internet content and recognizing word contexts. However, it has limitations like "hallucinations" due to relying on public internet data. Retrieval Augmented Generation (RAG) helps avoid these by training on private user information. This gives companies more confidence in AI-generated results. 1: ChatGPT's ability to generate text based on existing patterns is remarkable. It's like a supercharged auto-complete function, constantly predicting the next likely word. But this reliance on the internet can lead to inaccuracies. For example, if the internet source is incorrect, ChatGPT may provide false information. This highlights the need for verification and feedback. RAG, on the other hand, focuses on private data, providing a more reliable source for AI models. 2: The concept of RAG is crucial in ensuring the accuracy and reliability of AI in agriculture. By training on specific, private information provided by users, companies can have more control over the output. This means that when it comes to making decisions in farming, such as crop protection recommendations, the AI is based on accurate and relevant data. It's a step forward in using AI to enhance agricultural practices.

Environmental Impact

AI models consume more energy than traditional data centers. A Google search requires 0.3 watt-hours, while a single ChatGPT question needs 2.9 watt-hours. With 5.3 billion global internet users, this could lead to a significant increase in energy requirements. The International Energy Agency estimates that global energy consumption in the AI and cryptocurrency sectors will double by 2026. 1: The energy consumption of AI is a major concern. Google's total greenhouse gas emissions increased by 48% from 2019 to 2023, mainly due to data center energy consumption. However, Google is taking steps to address this issue. They are developing a new Tensor Processing Unit that is over 67% more energy-efficient. Additionally, they have identified practices to reduce energy requirements by up to 100 times and emissions by up to 1,000 times. 2: Generative AI is also water-intensive. Large language models use GPUs in data centers that need to be water-cooled. Google's data centers consumed 6.1 billion gallons of fresh water in 2023, and global AI demand may require 4.2 to 6.6 billion cubic meters of fresh water in 2027. This highlights the need for sustainable solutions in the use of AI.

How AI Is Being Used

The Farmers Business Network (FBN) introduced Norm, an AI-powered ag adviser based on ChatGPT. It aims to simplify farming processes and broaden farmers' knowledge. FBN's team of agronomists builds recommendations and fine-tunes Norm's responses. 1: Norm focuses on providing responses based on FBN's proprietary data, such as agronomist recommendations and product information. While ChatGPT learns from user inputs, Norm keeps farmers' data private. By asking farmers to share a ZIP code, it can provide location-based responses. This personalized approach enhances the usefulness of the AI for farmers. 2: Norm is currently available for farmers who apply or blend their own crop protection. FBN is continuously adding new tools like a fertility model to assist farmers further. It's also integrated into the online shopping experience, allowing farmers to ask questions while browsing. Looking ahead, FBN plans to bring grain markets and trading tools to Norm.Walther is focused on recommending AI solutions for agribusinesses. He works with various clients to streamline workflows. For example, with an agronomist, he automates data entry processes, saving time and allowing them to cover more acres. 1: By having AI analyze data and make recommendations, agronomists can focus on more strategic tasks. This not only saves time and money but also brings their business to the next level. It shows how AI can be a powerful tool in improving agricultural productivity. 2: AGCO is using AI for market forecasting, quality control, and customer support. AI helps handle heavy customer loads during peak times by pulling relevant information. It also analyzes feedback on machinery to identify potential problems and improve quality control. 3: The use of AI in these areas shows the versatility of the technology in agriculture. It can help businesses operate more efficiently and provide better services to customers. As AI continues to evolve, its applications in agriculture are likely to expand even further.