As high-speed broadband expands into more rural communities, it is crucial to examine how farms are leveraging the internet and advanced technologies in their operations. Since 1997, the USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service has conducted a biannual survey to assess technology usage on farms. This survey gathers information on device ownership, internet access methods, and the business-related use of the internet.
Survey Findings and Trends
The most recent survey results, released in August 2025, provide insights alongside comparisons to 2023 data. A table presents the 2025 response rates detailing the percentage of farms purchasing agricultural inputs online, conducting agricultural marketing activities online, and employing precision agriculture techniques across Southern states. Notably, the percentage changes in response rates from 2023 to 2025 are indicated in parentheses.
Increased Online Purchases
All Southern states reported an increase in the percentage of farms purchasing agricultural inputs online between 2023 and 2025. Five states—Alabama, Louisiana, Mississippi, South Carolina, and Texas—experienced significant increases, with gains of 100% or more in farms reporting online purchases. Such increases might suggest that farmers are seeking alternative buying methods to secure better prices amid economic pressures. In fact, by 2025, 50% of respondents across the U.S. indicated they utilized the internet for purchasing inputs, underlining the critical role of reliable internet access in agriculture.
Online Agricultural Marketing
In terms of agricultural marketing activities conducted online, the average percentage in Southern states for 2025 was approximately 25%, compared to 29% nationwide. Most Southern states experienced growth in the number of farms engaging in online marketing from 2023 to 2025, with the exceptions being Georgia and Missouri. While the specifics of online marketing activities weren’t revealed, the findings highlight the increasing importance of internet utilization in the sector.
Decline in Precision Agriculture Usage
However, contrasting trends emerged regarding precision agriculture usage, as the table’s far-right column indicates percentages of farms employing these techniques. Between 2023 and 2025, seven Southern states saw a decline in the adoption of precision agriculture, with Tennessee, North Carolina, and Alabama facing the most significant drops. In contrast, usage increased in the other seven Southern states. Overall, the percentage of farms in the United States using precision agriculture technologies fell by 19% during this period, potentially signaling a shift away from these higher-cost technologies during financially challenging times.
In summary, farmers are increasingly utilizing the internet for a range of operational needs, from purchasing inputs to gathering marketing information. These approaches offer relatively low-cost methods for enhancing operational efficiency. Conversely, economic stress may lead to a downturn in the adoption of more expensive technologies such as precision agriculture.
