Ohio State Professor Predicts Autonomous Farming's Impact

Shearer says no-till farmers can turn new tech into an asset if they prepare for the future

Apr. 18, 2026 at 8:44am

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A highly detailed, glowing 3D illustration of a futuristic autonomous farm tractor with intricate cybernetic components and neon blue and magenta lights, conceptually representing the integration of advanced technology in agricultural machinery.As the agriculture industry embraces autonomous technology, no-till farmers must adapt to stay ahead of the curve.Cincinnati Today

According to Scott Shearer, chair of the department of food, agricultural and biological engineering at Ohio State University, the agriculture industry is shifting to autonomous equipment, prescriptive applications, and farming as a service. Shearer shared his predictions at the 2022 National No-Tillage Conference about how autonomous farm machinery will change the structure of the agriculture industry, and how no-tillers can turn new technology into an asset if they're prepared for advancements coming in the not-so-distant future.

Why it matters

The increasing adoption of precision agriculture technology, including auto-steer, field mapping, and yield monitors, among no-till farmers signals a broader shift in the industry towards autonomous and data-driven farming. Understanding how these technological changes will impact the structure of the agriculture industry is crucial for no-till farmers to stay ahead of the curve and leverage new innovations to their advantage.

The details

Shearer says the agriculture industry is transitioning to autonomous equipment, prescriptive applications, and farming as a service. He predicts that smaller, lighter machinery could be a gateway to minimizing compaction, maximizing efficiency, and increasing yields. However, Shearer notes that there is a technical obsolescence of precision equipment versus the mechanical life of heavy machinery, which creates challenges for farmers.

  • Shearer shared his predictions at the 2022 National No-Tillage Conference.

The players

Scott Shearer

Chair of the department of food, agricultural and biological engineering at Ohio State University.

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What they’re saying

“The agriculture industry is shifting to autonomous equipment, prescriptive applications and farming as a service.”

— Scott Shearer, Chair of the department of food, agricultural and biological engineering at Ohio State University

The takeaway

As the agriculture industry continues to embrace autonomous and data-driven technologies, no-till farmers must be proactive in understanding and preparing for these changes. By leveraging new precision agriculture tools, no-tillers can position themselves to maximize efficiency, minimize compaction, and increase yields on their operations.