USDA to use AI and NASA satellite data for crop estimates

The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) is launching a pilot project to modernize its agricultural data collection using artificial intelligence, machine learning, and enhanced satellite imagery. Announced by Secretary Brooke Rollins at the Farm Progress Show, the initiative aims to improve the accuracy of crop acreage and yield estimates.

The project involves collaboration with NASA and other federal agencies to utilize geospatial tools and crop models alongside traditional farmer surveys. This technological shift follows criticism from farmers, grain traders, and economists regarding the reliability of government data, particularly after significant staff reductions and large discrepancies in corn acreage estimates for 2025.

By integrating advanced technology, the USDA intends to increase the precision of its statistics and reduce the frequency of repetitive information requests sent to producers. Accurate data is considered vital for stabilizing commodity markets, determining crop prices, and managing federal agricultural programs.