Ag Trends to Watch in 2022

From continued fallout from the COVID-19 pandemic to the latest technology, 2022 will surely deliver plenty of surprises and opportunities. With the promise of a new year in front of us, we’re sharing a few of the top ag trends to watch in 2022. 

As supply chain issues continue to disrupt ag retail markets, farmers may need to rely on older hAs supply chain issues continue to disrupt ag retail markets, farmers may need to rely on older herbicides to meet crop production needs. Glyphosate and glufosinate could be hard to come by, especially for spring burndown applications. Be prepared to offer older products as an alternative, and consider how rates and timing may need to be adapted to meet today’s weed challenges. Returning to a “back-to-basics” mindset that considers cultural weed control practices will also be critical for grower success in 2022.

We’ve been hearing a lot about carbon sequestration and regenerative ag practices in the past several years, and that trend looks to continue. Farmers are adopting production practices that reduce water use, improve soil health and limit negative environmental impacts. As consumer and food company demands shift, farmers will be adapting their operations to align with sustainability initiatives. You should be considering how sustainability fits into your operational goals and how your business model will adapt to meet grower needs.

According to Markets and Markets research, the global agricultural robots market size is expected to grow from $4.9 billion in 2021 to $11.9 billion by 2026. Fueled in part by the sustainability trend, robots will be sought after for more precise input applications and to reduce environmental impacts. The farm of the future will be more digitized and will rely on automation to improve efficiencies.

Artificial intelligence (AI) will also make strides in the ag industry in the coming years. Markets and Markets report that spending on AI technology will grow from $1 billion in 2020 to $4 billion in 2026. The market growth will be propelled by more data generation made possible by sensors and aerial images for crops, increasing crop productivity through deep-learning technology and government support for more modern agricultural practices. Applications of AI for agriculture include price yield prediction and price forecasting, precision spray applications, predictive insights, disease diagnosis and crop and soil monitoring. 

As a progressive ag retailer, you should always have a pulse on the trends that are shaping the industry. A forward-looking approach puts you in an excellent position to capitalize on opportunities and helps reinforce your position as a market leader as the industry evolves and GROWERS Rally™ is the tool that will get you there.